Del. Terry Austin Reports From Richmond: Week 5
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Richmond, VA (Feb. 16, 2026) -
To the Constituents of the 37th House District,
The fifth week of the 2026 General Assembly session has concluded. As we approach Crossover, the point at which each chamber may consider only legislation passed by the other, several significant bills and policy decisions are advancing that will have lasting impacts on the Commonwealth. This includes the proposed redistricting amendment, and a series of gun control measures that, when taken together, represent the same aggressive push experienced during the last time Virginia was under Democrat control in the General Assembly and Executive Branch.
On Friday, the Supreme Court of Virginia ruled that the proposed redistricting amendment referendum may move forward on April 21. The ballot will ask:
“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”
I strongly encourage you to read beyond the ballot language and understand the practical implications. This proposal will shift political influence away from rural Virginia and concentrate it in Northern Virginia, altering our current 6D–5R congressional split to a 10D–1R configuration. An eleven-mile drive through Fairfax County will take you through five congressional districts! Decisions about representation should enhance fairness and transparency, not dilute the voice of large regions of the Commonwealth. I strongly encourage you to educate yourselves and those around you about the detrimental effects this will have, regardless of party affiliation.
Finally, several gun control measures are advancing. HB217 is an “assault firearm” ban that does not simply target “weapons of war,” but includes commonly owned rifles and pistols used for self-defense, hunting, and sport. HB1359 establishes a permit-to-purchase requirement and fingerprinting regime that imposes new bureaucratic hurdles and waiting periods. HB1525 raises the lawful age to purchase certain firearms to 21, even though 18-year-olds can serve in the military and enter binding legal contracts. Other measures, including expanded storage mandates and increased civil penalties, risk turning currently lawful conduct into criminal violations based on technical infractions. I oppose these bills on constitutional grounds. Furthermore, they will disproportionately burden rural and low-income Virginians, increase costs for firearms-related businesses, and invite costly litigation.
Thankfully, some concerning legislation has had its most detrimental effects curtailed while others have failed to advance. Regarding the two pieces of legislation dealing with the Virginia Military Institute, my focus remains supporting VMI Superintendent Lt. General David Furness in minimizing harm to VMI and safeguarding the institution’s integrity and funding.
HB1377, as originally introduced, raised major concerns about its potential impact on the state funding of the Virginia Military Institute. After working closely with Superintendent Furness and the bill’s patron, a substitute was adopted that removed provisions affecting funding and addressed other key concerns. HB1374 originally dissolved VMI’s Board of Visitors and placed the Institute under Virginia State University. That language has now been removed. While neither bill is perfect, it represents a meaningful improvement under the current makeup of the General Assembly. As these bills move to the Senate, I will continue advocating for VMI, its cadets, and its enduring mission.
HB 359 is a bill that would have imposed new requirements on private K–12 schools that accept public tuition funds, including mandatory SOL testing, state accountability ratings, and expanded admissions standards. Thankfully, it is no longer a live bill this Session. Though framed as accountability, it would have significantly increased regulations for private and faith-based schools and likely discouraged participation in tuition assistance programs, reducing educational choice for families. Parents who choose to educate their children should not be punished with overbearing requirements.
Regarding my legislation, several bills are advancing through the House of Delegates:
HB790 prohibits a hotel from denying a room solely because a person lives nearby when seeking shelter for legitimate health or safety reasons, such as medical recovery, domestic violence, or storm damage. During the catastrophic floods in Southwest Virginia and recent winter storms in the Roanoke region, families were turned away due to arbitrary mileage-radius policies. HB 790 creates a narrow safeguard to prevent this while preserving a hotel’s right to refuse disruptive or unlawful guests. Two people with the same urgent need should not be treated differently simply because one lives 10 miles away and the other lives 60. It reported out of committee unanimously, 21–0.
HB792 amends the City of Lexington’s Charter at the city’s request. Changes include transitioning the school board from an appointed body to an elected one, removing the city manager’s residency requirement, and making other technical updates. It reported out of committee 21-0.
HB1145 establishes a “Certified Safety Inspector” designation to address the shortage of qualified personnel who can perform vehicle safety inspections. Many constituents have shared their frustration over the difficulty of getting inspections in a timely manner, so I worked with the Virginia State Police to modernize training requirements, expanding the pool of inspectors while maintaining safety standards. It passed the House unanimously, 98–0.
This week at the Capitol, we welcomed local farmers representing Virginia Farm Bureau from back home, as well as Alleghany County Sheriff Kyle Moore and Chief Deputy Thomas Deem. I am always grateful for the opportunity to connect with those who take the time to engage in the legislative process.
It is an honor to serve you in the Virginia House of Delegates. If I can be of assistance, or if you would like to share your views on any legislative matter, please contact me at DelTAustin@House.Virginia.gov or 804-698-1037.
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