General Assembly considers casino bill and much more
The 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly has been busy so far, with hundreds of bills under consideration – on a casino in Tysons, housing, law enforcement, firearms, and much more.
Sen. Scott Surovell (Mount Vernon) has again introduced a bill (SB756) to allow a public referendum on a casino in Tysons. The bill was reported from the General Laws and Technology Committee on Jan. 28 and referred to the Finance and Appropriations Committee. Del. Wren Williams of Stuart has signed on as a co-patron.
The measure adds Fairfax County to the list of localities eligible to host a casino. The casino must be located within a quarter of a mile from a station on Metro’s Silver Line and must be part of a mixed-use redevelopment project of at least 1.5 million square feet, among other requirements.
The Comstock Holding Cos., which hopes to develop a casino and entertainment complex in Tysons, has reportedly spent more than $2.5 million to lobby for the bill.
The No Fairfax Casino Coalition and the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance have long opposed a casino in Tysons, arguing that it would exacerbate traffic congestion, hurt local businesses, and undermine the success and reputation of Tysons. They say community residents are overwhelmingly against a casino.
In December, the Board of Supervisors rejected a motion to formally oppose a casino in Tysons but did endorse a letter from Chair Jeffrey McKay outlining a strategy for addressing legislation on a casino.
Related story: Board outlines concerns with a casino bill
Among the many other bills under consideration by the General Assembly:
Assault weapons – SB749 (introduced by Sen. Saddam Salim – Merrifield) and HB217 (Del. Dan Helmer – Clifton) prohibit the import, sale, and possession of assault firearms and certain ammunition-feeding devices. The bills are under consideration in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and the House Public Safety Committee.
Ghost guns – HB 40 (Del. Marcus Simon – Falls Church) prohibits the manufacture, import, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms, unfinished frames or receivers, and firearms without a serial number. Cleared the House Public Safety Committee on Jan. 30.
Affordable housing – HB594 (Del. Shelly Simonds – Newport News) expedites the development of affordable housing by allowing localities to use an administrative approval process. Passed by the House on Jan. 29 and sent to the Senate Local Government Committee.
Housing preservation – HB4 (Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker – Alexandria) authorizes localities to adopt an ordinance that requires an owner to accept a right of first refusal offer by the locality or qualified designee to preserve affordable housing for at least 15 years. Passed by the House on Feb. 2 and referred to the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee.
Evictions – HB15 (Del. Marcia Price – Newport News) increases the mandatory waiting period from five to 14 days to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent. Passed by the House on Feb. 2 and referred to the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology.
Curbing ICE – SB351 (Sen. Saddam Salim) protects immigrants from ICE by prohibiting anyone going to or leaving a court as a witness from being subject to civil arrest. Reported from the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee on Jan. 28 and referred to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Masked ICE agents – SB352 (Sen. Saddam Salim) prohibits law-enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings. Passed by the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.
Pedestrian safety – HB 994 (Del. Holly Seibold – Vienna) allows speed cameras on high-risk pedestrian corridors. Referred to the House Transportation Committee’s Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Innovations.
Healthcare literacy – HB 462 (Del. Laura Jane Cohen – Burke) requires middle and high schools to add education on navigating the healthcare system. Passed by the House Education Committee on Feb. 4.
Energy costs – HB2 (Del. Mark Sickles – Franconia) reduces heating and energy costs for lower-income Virginians by requiring Dominion to improve energy efficiency. Passed by the House on Jan. 28 and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Health insurance – HB220 (Del. Patrick Hope – Arlington) prohibits health insurance companies from setting a higher premium rate for tobacco users. Passed by the House on Jan. 28 and sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Accessory dwelling units – HB611 (Del. Laura Jane Cohen) requires localities to amend their zoning ordinances to allow ADUs in single-family residential zoning districts and prohibits the requirement for dedicated parking for ADUs. Continued to the next session.
The Gov ran on affordability – ya – you folks voting for her will allow her and backward thinking Democrats to tax and spend more of your hard earned money recklessly…elections have consequences..and just watch you utility bills skyrocket this and the coming years because these same people think windmills and solar panels can power an industrialized nation.
After 65 years a Virginian, if I wasn’t tethered to Fairfax hospital, I’d pack up and leave tomorrow.
Maybe instead I’ll stand on pedestrian bridge across beltway and stomp my feet and pound my fists.
Lets not forget HB207, which is literally just a blanket $500 tax on suppresors. Items that are equivalent to PPE and can cost as low as $300.
The republican candidate was pretty certifiable but optics matter and the immediate ramroding of all of these overreaching, and arguably constitutionally questionable bills is just going to hand the state right back, and likely for some time. The pendulum of consequence swings both ways, so maybe a more metered approach would have been a better idea.
The Democrats have been out to harass gun owners for years. So, this shouldn’t be a surprise. However, referring to suppressors as PPE is an exaggeration. A suppressor is nothing more than a toy for handgun owners with a few bucks to spend. Most gun owners don’t even consider purchasing them. It’s hardly flattering to Del. Keys-Gamarra that she’s even raised this issue.
you are clueless – and apparently never fired a weapon – a suppressor is not a toy -do me a favor Sparky – go to your local gun range, rent a weapon, and without ear protection – fire the weapon. Then come back and post on At that suppressors are just a toy.
Hope Fairfax County will be willing to issue statements like this one if a casino were to be built in Tysons: “BREAKING: A juvenile curfew will be in effect at National Harbor this Friday and Saturday, Prince George’s County police announced.” No reason to believe that disturbances by juveniles wouldn’t happen in Fairfax County, Virginia
In the meantime, I’m very disappointed to learn that my supervisor (Supv. Andres Jimenez) voted against the motion to oppose building a casino in Tysons
Have you ever heard Andres Jimenez attempt to speak? Don’t be mad at him as these decisions are not his.
Heard him speak? – The Dude never shows up for work…call his office with a problem like the new junkyard on Chowen and you get some random call back from some random Fairfax County agency that has nothing to do with abandoned cars littering Chowen…Go see for yourself folks – this dude is useless…but hey – all of you that voted for him said he was ready to hit the ground running – ya…taking our taxpayer money and running to the bank.