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Communications, Technology and Innovation

Monday, February 9, 2026·21m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Communications, Technology and Innovation Committee advanced four AI and technology bills — including a controversial blockchain entity bill that passed 13 to 6 over Virginia Bar Association opposition — while carrying over two bills on AI chatbots and data brokers to 2027.

Key Actions

·HB 635 – Artificial Intelligence Chatbots Act; prohibited practices; penaltiesNo Vote

+ 2 more actions

Controversies

HB 293 – Virginia Bar Association opposition to LLD Act

Delegate Helmer acknowledged that the ABA is not on board with the bill and that the new substitute would not change that, stating 'if you were against this bill before, you're still against it. If you're for it, you're still for it.' Eric Link, on behalf of the Virginia Bar Association, confirmed continued opposition, stating 'we still remain opposed to the bill.' The specific grounds of the Virginia Bar Association's opposition were not stated in the transcript beyond continued opposition.

+ 1 more controversy

Notable Quotes

“We had a robust discussion about the idea of llds in subcommittee. And just to bring everybody up to speed, you have a number of innovative technology industry support for this and there's been a lot of conversations. This went to COTS over the over the past year. The ABA is not on board and this won't change it. So if you were against this bill before, you're still against it. If you're for it, you're still for it.”

Delegate Helmer — Helmer was explaining the history and political landscape of HB 293, the LLD Act, as he presented a new substitute to the full committee.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Continue HB 635 and HB 638 to 2027 (block vote)Passed
Accept substitute for HB 293No Vote
Report HB 293 with substitutePassed
Receive substitute for HB 669No Vote
Report substitute for HB 669 and refer to AppropriationsPassed
Receive substitute/amendments for HB 713Passed
Report HB 713 as amended and refer to AppropriationsPassed
Report HB 1250Passed
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TranscriptPreview
Good morning. You've actually have the Monday, February 9, 10am Full committee meeting for Communications Technology and Innovation. The committee will go to at ease. It. Order with Communications technology and innovation. Mr. Clerk, please open the roll. And we have a quorum. Thank you so much. Members, for today's agenda, we do have two subcommittee reports and we'll start off with the Technology and Innovation subcommittee. Delegate or Chair sebo. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So I have two bills that we have. Our subcommittee recommended continue to 2027. So I'll just do that on a block if the chair is okay with that. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Okay, so the first one is HB 635 by patron delegate Maldonado. The bill this the first bill of delegate Maldonado's 635 is related to chatbots and minors. And then the second bill, also by delegate Maldonado is HB 638 and that's related to data brokers. The subcommittee recommended continuing both to 2027 and isomove, which is second. It's been moving proper to the second that we take those two bills, continue them until 2027. Clerk, please open the roll. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. And…
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