Motion to carry bill to 2026 special session

Summary#

HJR 316 is the Virginia joint resolution titled “General Assembly; House Bill No. 30 to be carried over to a 2026 Special Session.” It does not amend an existing Act or enact House Bill 30. Its goal is to let the General Assembly continue considering HB 30 during a 2026 special session.

  • The resolution allows HB 30 to be continued to a special session by motion; it does not move the bill there automatically.
  • Either house, or a conference committee, may take action on HB 30 if it is continued.
  • For this purpose, the resolution says it applies despite either house’s rules and Rule 24 of House Joint Resolution 29 (2026).
  • The supplied material says HJR 316 was enacted. It does not provide the text or subject of HB 30.

What it means for you#

  • Members of the General Assembly: They may use a motion to continue HB 30 to a 2026 special session. The resolution does not require anyone to make that motion or require the houses to pass HB 30.
  • The public: This resolution does not itself change rights, taxes, benefits, or services. HB 30’s contents are not included, so its possible effects cannot be assessed from the supplied material.

Money#

No publicly available information on cost is included in the supplied material.

What is unclear#

  • What HB 30 would do; its text is not supplied.
  • Whether anyone will make the motion to continue HB 30.
  • Who may make that motion and how it would be decided; this resolution does not spell out those details.
  • When the special session will occur or when HB 30 would be considered.

Case for#

  • A possible argument for the resolution is that it preserves the General Assembly’s option to consider HB 30 after the regular session.
  • Allowing either house or a conference committee to act gives lawmakers more than one route for considering the bill if it is continued.

Case against#

  • The resolution does not guarantee that HB 30 will be considered or passed; its future depends on a motion and later action.
  • Without HB 30’s text, the public cannot judge the substance or effects of the bill that could be taken up at the special session.
  • The resolution sets no deadline for making the motion or reaching a decision.

Votes

Agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)

For (96%)
Paired (4%)