Courts Of Justice

Wednesday, February 11, 2026·1h 11m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Virginia Courts of Justice Committee advanced dozens of bills across criminal and civil law, with the most contested action being the 14-to-7 vote to report HB 193 — the Fishback parole remedy bill — to Appropriations, drawing multiple public witnesses in support and no opposition testimony. The committee also advanced bills on drone use by law enforcement, judicial oversight reform, witness impeachment evidence procedures, and emergency substantial risk orders, while continuing eight bills to 2027 under Rule 22.

Key Actions

·HB 193 – Parole; Fishback remedyNo Vote

+ 13 more actions

Controversies

How HB 974 differs from existing Brady/Giglio obligations for Commonwealth Attorneys

Terry G. Kilgore asked 'How is this different from already the Commonwealth Attorney providing information about officers who had some, bad acts in the past?' referencing Brady and Giglio obligations. Staff counsel Mr. Hatcher responded that HB 974 'sets up a definite process and it requires things to be in writing,' provides a time frame for response, and 'stipulates that this in and of itself is not a reason for dismissal.'

+ 2 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“It makes a person eligible to be considered for parole not released, but considered if all of the statutory criterias are met.”
Delores L. McQuinn — McQuinn, the patron of HB 193 (the Fishback parole remedy bill), was clarifying that the bill does not guarantee release for any incarcerated person but only opens the door to parole board review for those meeting specific statutory criteria.

+ 3 more quotes

Votes

HB 193 – Report and refer to AppropriationsPassed

HB 438 – Report with substitutePassed

HB 637 – Report with substitute as amendedPassed

HB 974 – Report as amendedPassed

HB 1070 – Report with substitutePassed

HB 1411 – Report and refer with substitute to AppropriationsPassed

HB 1432 – Report with substitutePassed

HB 901 – Report with substitute as amendedPassed

HB 440 – Report and refer with substitute to AppropriationsPassed

HB 1426 – ReportPassed

HB 1111 – Report with substitutePassed

HB 444 – Report with substitutePassed

HB 1298 – Report and refer with substitute to AppropriationsPassed

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TranscriptPreview

The Justice Committee will now come to order. Members, please register your attendance on the electronic voting device. All members have voted their attendance. Clerk will please close the roll. And we do have a quorum. All right, let's go ahead and take care of some administrative items as we get going here. And I see Delegate McQuinn is here. Delegate McQuinn, let me do some administrative items, and I will turn to you. We have some bills that are gonna be continued, and I'm gonna call these bills out in a block, and this will be a voice vote. House Bill 240, patron by delegate Gardner. House Bill 853. Patron. Delegate Cousins. House Bill 1027. Patron delegate Walker. House Bill 1346. Patron delegate Clark. House Bill 1506, patron delegate Phillips. House Bill 42, patron delegate Simon. House Bill 752, patron delegate Rundian. And House Bill 886, patron delegate Hope. So I get a motion to continue Those under Rule 22 to 2027. So moved. Got a motion improperly. Second. All in favor say aye. Opposed? Okay. Those bills are all continued to 2027. I'm going to turn to my vice chair, Maldonado for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chair.…

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