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Education

Monday, February 2, 2026·44m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Virginia House Education Committee advanced eight bills covering topics ranging from environmental literacy and culturally responsive mental health guidance to dual enrollment reform and military deployment absences, with several contentious votes and public testimony sharply dividing supporters and opponents on climate education and school mental health policy.

Key Actions

·HB 462 – Health Education / Healthcare LiteracyNo Vote

+ 5 more actions

Controversies

HB 1037 – Scientific premise of the bill

Dr. Sheila Furey testified that the bill 'is dishonest' and argued that government activities including geoengineering, chemtrails, HAARP, and windmills were causing climate impacts not acknowledged in the bill's framing, directly opposing the testimony of Carr, Jay Ford, Dot Walton, and Nethra Prashotaman, who argued for the bill's environmental and educational merits.

+ 3 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“Promoting environmental literacy prepares young Virginians to be productive citizens in a world that is being rapidly reshaped by changing climate. Moreover, environmental literacy helps students connect with natural systems which they may be unaware.”

Delegate Betsy B. Carr — Carr, the sponsor of HB 1037, argued before the committee that requiring environmental education materials for local school boards would benefit students and the workforce.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Refer HB 1260 to Committee on Public SafetyPassed
Report HB 462 with substitute and refer to AppropriationsPassed
Report HB 653 with substitute (initial vote)Passed
Reconsider vote on HB 653 with substitutePassed
Report HB 653 with substitute (final vote after reconsideration)Passed
Report HB 211 with substitutePassed
Report HB 255Passed
Report HB 1037Passed
Report HB 1113 and refer to AppropriationsPassed
Report HB 877Passed
AdjournPassed
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TranscriptPreview
On education to order. If I could ask clerk to take the role. Clerk shall close the roll. The committee will go at EAS. Education will come to order. First matter that we have before us, which requires a A voice vote. We have a request from the speaker's office to Refer House Bill 1260 to the Committee on public safety. Do I hear a motion? Motion made and property seconded to Refer House Bill 1260 to the Committee on public safety. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed? All right. Is reported to house committee on public safety. Next we'll turn to K12 subcommittee report. Chair Simons. Good morning. First up, we have HB462 from Delegate Cohen. I move the committee substitute. Motion's been made and properly seconded on the substitute. Without objection, the substitutes before us. HB462 requires the board of education during its next regularly scheduled revision of the health education standards of learning and curriculum framework to require in grades 9 and 10 Healthcare literacy instruction for the purpose of helping students navigate the healthcare system efficiently and effectively and to consider certain enumerated topics and content for inclusion in such…
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