The Virginia Legislature officially passed and adopted Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recommendation concerning Senate Bill 1427, which relates to campaign finance laws, political action committees (PACs), and certain large pre-election expenditures.

The bill changes some of the reporting dates while also adding an additional report.

The reports previously due on July 15 and October 15 will be due on June 1 and September 15 with an additional report due on October 15.

PACs must also report any single contribution received or expenditure made of $1,000 or more between the dates of May 26 and the third Tuesday in June, and between October 8 and the date of the November general election.

The bill will take effect on July 1.

Virginia Senate District 9 will have a vacancy created due to state Sen. Jennifer McClellan’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Richmond Democrat has indicated she intends to resign on March 7.

Virginia’s 9^th Senate District is composed of Charles City County, portions of Hanover and Henrico counties, and parts of Richmond.

The special election has been set for March 28.

The Virginia Legislature adjourned the regular session on February 25 after 46 days.

Lawmakers considered over 2,800 pieces of legislation during this time and managed to pass over 1,600 bills in both the House and Senate.

Notably, the Legislature passed a “mini-budget” providing funding for urgent items for the state.

Budget negotiations will continue and the Legislature is scheduled to reconvene on April 12.

Virginia Gov. Youngkin announced a special election to replace the late Del. Ronnie Campbell will take place January 10, 2023.

Del. Campbell passed away this past week after a battle with cancer.

Campbell represented the 24^th District of the Virginia House of Delegates.

His wife, Ellen Campbell has announced that she will run for her late husband’s seat.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a special election to replace the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin will take place February 21, 2023.

Rep. McEachin died after he won his bid for reelection.

McEachin represented Virginia’s 4^th Congressional District, which includes the state capital of Richmond.

Virginia State Delegate Mark Keam resigned from his seat on Tuesday after representing House District 35 for over a decade.

Keam will now join the Department of Commerce and the Office of National Travel and Tourism in the International Trade Administration.

Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert announced a special election will be held on January 10, 2023, just one day before the General Assembly starts its 2023 session.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a special session of the Virginia General Assembly to convene on April 5.

The General Assembly will finalize the biennial budget which was left unfinished when they adjourned on March 12.

The General Assembly will also consider Youngkin’s proposed three-month gas tax holiday.

The 2022 session of the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 12, but failed to complete and pass the biennial budget.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is expected to call a special session to enact a budget once lawmakers have reached an agreement.

Passed bills included Senate Bill 57 to provide an exception to gift restrictions for certain tickets and admission if performing official duties; and House Bill 125 to impose a $10,000 penalty for illegal negative campaign advertisements.

Both bills now await gubernatorial action by Youngkin.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

The lobbyist gift notification to public officials is due on April 2.

The Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee has rejected a proposal to cap what are currently unlimited campaign contributions to state candidates.

Senate Bill 44 would have limited the amount someone can give a candidate to $20,000 per election.

House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn announced the special election for Virginia House District 89 will be held on January 11, 2022.

The election is to fill the seat vacated by Del. Jay Jones, who is resigning to prioritize time with his family.

Del. Jay Jones of Norfolk, Virginia announced his resignation from the General Assembly.

In a public letter, Jones cited a desire to prioritize being a father and supportive husband, as he and his wife prepare to welcome their first child.

Jones easily secured reelection in November after a failed primary challenge for the Democratic nomination for Virginia Attorney General earlier this year.

Jones has served in the General Assembly since 2018.

Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to call a special election to fill the 89th district seat at a later date.

Republican Winsome Sears is set to become the first female and first woman of color to serve as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor after defeating Del. Hala Ayala in the general election.

Sears is also the first Black Republican woman to be elected to the Virginia Assembly back in 2001 when she was elected to represent House District 90.

She had also challenged U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott in 2004 but was ultimately unsuccessful.

In a close race which garnered national attention, Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin will be Virginia’s next governor after defeating Terry McAuliffe.

Youngkin becomes the first Republican to win a gubernatorial bid since 2009.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has called the General Assembly to convene a special session beginning August 2.

The special session will focus on judicial appointments and the allocation of over $4.3 billion in federal COVID relief funding.