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VA HB966
VA HB966Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program); use by Dept. of Elections.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Elections; duties of the Department of Elections; Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program). Provides that the Department of Elections' use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program) operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is for the sole purpose of individually verifying that voters listed in the Virginia voter registration system are United States citizens. The Department of Elections is prohibited from (i) using information received from the SAVE Program as the sole reason for rejecting a registration application, (ii) uploading lists of registered voters to the SAVE Program for verifying their citizenship status in bulk, or (iii) transferring any information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any subdivision thereof beyond the minimum information necessary. This bill was incorporated into HB 972.
AI Summary
This bill clarifies the Department of Elections' use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE Program), which is operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The bill specifies that the Department of Elections can only use the SAVE Program to individually confirm that voters listed in Virginia's voter registration system are indeed U.S. citizens. Importantly, the bill prohibits the Department from using information from the SAVE Program as the *sole* reason to reject a voter's registration application, from uploading lists of registered voters to the SAVE Program in bulk to check their citizenship, or from sharing any information with the Department of Homeland Security beyond what is absolutely necessary for this specific verification purpose.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Marcia Price (D)*,
J.R. Henson (D),
Michelle Lopes-Maldonado (D),
Fernando Martinez (D),
Irene Shin (D),
Last Action
Incorporated by Privileges and Elections (HB972-Price) (Voice Vote) (on 02/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB966 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB966) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1107848.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB966/text/HB966 |
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