summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/24/2026
02/24/2026
Crossed Over
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Commonwealth Savers Plan; Virginia College Opportunity Endowment and Fund established; report. Establishes (i) the Endowment Scholarship Program for the purpose of providing scholarships to students at eligible institutions, as defined in the bill; (ii) the Virginia College Opportunity Endowment as an agency of the Commonwealth for the purpose of establishing and administering the Endowment Scholarship Program; and (iii) as subfunds of the Commonwealth Savers Plan fund, (a) the DB529 Fund for the purpose of holding in trust the assets of prepaid tuition contracts to meet contractual obligations and (b) the Virginia College Opportunity Fund (the Opportunity Fund), into which certain funds from the DB529 Fund shall be deposited for the purpose of funding, by income generated from investments of such deposits, the Endowment Scholarship Program and other applicable programs, as set forth in the bill. The bill requires the Commonwealth Savers Plan (the Plan) to (a) after the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2026, deposit $500 million into the Opportunity Fund from the DB529 Fund; (b) each fiscal year thereafter, in accordance with the timeline set forth in the bill, submit to the General Assembly a report on the funded status, as defined by applicable law, of the DB529 Fund and the recommendations of the Plan on the prudence of directing deposits, and the amounts of any such deposits, of additional actuarial surpluses of the Plan from the DB529 Fund into the Opportunity Fund; and (c) each subsequent year, deposit additional actuarial surpluses into the Opportunity Fund in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The bill also requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to, no less than biennially, complete an independent evaluation and risk assessment of the Plan's risk assessment model, assumptions, and other measures employed by the Plan relating to the DB529 Fund and Opportunity Fund. Finally, the bill contains provisions (1) relating to voluntary contributions to the Opportunity Fund for the purpose of receiving tax fund contributions and income tax deductions, and (2) exempting from mandatory disclosure requirements certain information contained in a public record relating to the Commonwealth Savers Plan or the Virginia College Opportunity Endowment and Fund.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Virginia College Opportunity Endowment and Fund to provide scholarships and financial aid to students in need. It creates the Endowment Scholarship Program, administered by the Virginia College Opportunity Endowment, which will be funded by income generated from investments within the Virginia College Opportunity Fund (the Opportunity Fund). This Opportunity Fund will be a subfund of the Commonwealth Savers Plan's DB529 Fund, which holds assets from prepaid tuition contracts. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the Commonwealth Savers Plan will deposit $500 million from the DB529 Fund into the Opportunity Fund, with subsequent deposits of any additional surpluses. The bill also mandates annual reports on the financial status of these funds and requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to conduct independent evaluations of the Plan's risk assessment models. Additionally, it allows for voluntary contributions to the Opportunity Fund for tax benefits and exempts certain information related to the Plan and the Endowment from public disclosure. The bill also includes provisions for a surplus rebate program for owners of prepaid tuition contracts entered into before July 1, 2019, and establishes a work group to recommend annual appropriations from the Opportunity Fund.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Tabled in Appropriations (21-Y 1-N) (on 03/04/2026)
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/SB375 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB375/text/SB375S1 |
| Education and Health Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB375/text/SB375AS1 |
| Education and Health Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB375/text/SB375ASC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB375/text/SB375 |
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