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Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave

Here's a quick guide to the major bills still moving through the legislature, beyond weed and data centers.

News

It&#x27;s time for a lightning round on the other headline-grabbing bills still alive this General Assembly session, beyond <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="constitutional amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/14/virginia-2026-abortion-redistricting-democrats" data-vars-content-id="5bd367b9-fa6e-49c7-8712-699c1aee701e" data-vars-headline="Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/14/virginia-2026-abortion-redistricting-democrats" target="_self">constitutional amendments</a>, weed and data centers.State of play: With Democrats controlling both chambers and governor&#x27;s office, several have a clear path to becoming law. Here&#x27;s what they&#x27;d do:

Flashback: Richmond's unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns

A look back at RVA's chaotic 2016, from Stoney's win to rooftop bars and creepy clowns.

We hear the kids are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="throwing it back to 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" target="_self">throwing it back to 2016</a> and thought it would be fun to play along.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral trend" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" target="_self">viral trend</a> is reminiscing over everything that happened a decade ago, which happened to be a big year for Richmond.

The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session

From GWARbar to Rappahannock, legislators share their go-to Richmond spots.

Food and Drink

Richmond Times-Dispatch restaurant critic Justin Lo recently got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the lowdown" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_29a944ae-f37d-11ef-a15f-f7719f390024.html" data-vars-content-id="a652a22d-3155-4778-9b38-a41364bb30fe" data-vars-headline="The Richmond spots Virginia lawmakers eat at during session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_29a944ae-f37d-11ef-a15f-f7719f390024.html" target="_blank">the lowdown</a> on where state lawmakers go to eat when they&#x27;re in town.Why it matters: The 140 members of the General Assembly are temporary Richmonders for 30-to-60 days every winter, and they dine local.

How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill

Lawmakers aren't looking to stop the boom, but they want data centers to pay more.

Virginia isn&#x27;t pausing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" data-vars-content-id="89b2517b-ae50-4ad5-875b-344981a937bb" data-vars-headline="How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" target="_self">data center boom</a>, but lawmakers are trying to keep residents from footing the bill for it.Why it matters: That&#x27;s easier said than done.

Supreme Court ruling puts $2.7B in Virginia tariffs in limbo

Billions paid by Virginia importers could be refundable. But it's unclear who would get the money, or when.

Politics

Virginia importers paid nearly $2.7 billion in tariffs that are now in limbo after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Supreme Court struck down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="cb7466df-0167-4ff6-b09f-bae5796b3d74" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court ruling puts $2.7B in Virginia tariffs in limbo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">Supreme Court struck down</a> a swath of President Trump&#x27;s trade levies on Friday.Why it matters: Roughly $126 billion nationwide could be subject to refunds. But it&#x27;s unclear who would get the money, or when.

Virginia's Pound town won't disappear — for now

The Southwest Virginia town narrowly avoided being placed under county control after a council vote.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pound town" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/09/dirty-virginia-town-names-goochland-climax" data-vars-content-id="03b937c1-6bc4-4079-a814-ac1e2bd1a73d" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s Pound town won&#x27;t disappear — for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/05/09/dirty-virginia-town-names-goochland-climax" target="_self">Pound town</a> nearly got de-Pounded this week.Why it matters: A council vote in the Southwest Virginia locality — which has one of the state&#x27;s best town names — could have put Pound on a path to dissolve its charter and cease to exist.

How Virginia's legal weed market could look

Lawmakers passed retail cannabis bills, but key tax and timeline differences remain.

For the third time in three years, the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation to create the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="retail marijuana marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/08/virginia-cannabis-retail-plan-2026-legal-weed-sales" data-vars-content-id="45d94e9b-4024-43b8-b256-22714db6cb0b" data-vars-headline="How Virginia&#x27;s legal weed market could look" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/12/08/virginia-cannabis-retail-plan-2026-legal-weed-sales" target="_self">retail marijuana marketplace</a> — just five short years after they legalized possession of it. Why it matters: With a new governor in the executive mansion, Virginians will likely be able to start legally buying recreational weed within a year. Maybe.

Virginia begins enforcing 1-hour social media cap

The attorney general says tech companies now have 30 days to comply or face civil fines.

Virginia will start enforcing a law that requires social media companies to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limit kids&#x27; use to one hour" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/07/virginia-2026-laws-kids-social-media-breast-exam-copays" data-vars-content-id="18f1d684-7a29-489e-bdcc-128cc9118792" data-vars-headline="Virginia begins enforcing 1-hour social media cap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/07/virginia-2026-laws-kids-social-media-breast-exam-copays" target="_self">limit kids&#x27; use to one hour</a> a day, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced this week.Why it matters: The law was supposed to go into effect Jan. 1, but enforcement had been on hold after tech companies filed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://netchoice.org/netchoice-v-miyares-virginia/" data-vars-content-id="18f1d684-7a29-489e-bdcc-128cc9118792" data-vars-headline="Virginia begins enforcing 1-hour social media cap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://netchoice.org/netchoice-v-miyares-virginia/" target="_blank">lawsuit</a> to block it.

Virginia lawmakers target teen AI chatbot use

Kids' AI habits are outpacing adult oversight, raising concerns about privacy and online safety.

As more teens turn to AI chatbots, Virginia lawmakers are pushing new safeguards aimed at protecting minors online.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kids&#x27; AI habits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/21/ai-companions-new-imaginary-friend-children-teens" data-vars-content-id="11a49cb4-e28c-4bb6-9807-4f37b5ffc3fe" data-vars-headline="Virginia lawmakers target teen AI chatbot use" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/21/ai-companions-new-imaginary-friend-children-teens" target="_self">Kids&#x27; AI habits</a> are outpacing adult oversight, raising concerns about privacy and online safety.

Virginia Supreme Court allows high-stakes redistricting vote

Early voting on the referendum starts March 6. But the court is still weighing the case to block it.

Politics & Policy

The Virginia Supreme Court is allowing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redistricting referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" data-vars-content-id="456acdb1-be22-4407-b1ba-d7b7e0560c41" data-vars-headline="Virginia Supreme Court allows high-stakes redistricting vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/06/virginia-redistricting-map-richmond-nova-midterms" target="_self">redistricting referendum</a> to move forward, with early voting starting March 6.Why it matters: It&#x27;s still weighing the case that tried blocking state Democrats from redrawing congressional maps mid-decade — meaning the court could void the referendum after Virginians have cast their ballots.

5 ways Virginia lawmakers are trying to rein in ICE's power

They're testing how far a state can go to push back on federal immigration enforcement it doesn't control.

Virginia Democrats are testing how far a state can go to push back on federal immigration enforcement.Why it matters: States can try to limit ICE&#x27;s reach through legislation, but federal law ultimately controls how, and whether, ICE can be constrained.

New Virginia map splits Richmond, weakens GOP districts

The map could hand Democrats all but one of the state's 11 House districts, but legal hurdles loom.

After weeks of waiting, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Democrats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/29/virginia-redistricting-judge-whats-going-on" data-vars-content-id="e77371fd-3299-4e7c-bda8-99cf1d2d7e93" data-vars-headline="New Virginia map splits Richmond, weakens GOP districts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/29/virginia-redistricting-judge-whats-going-on" target="_self">Virginia Democrats</a> released a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="congressional map proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vpap.org/redistricting/2026/" data-vars-content-id="e77371fd-3299-4e7c-bda8-99cf1d2d7e93" data-vars-headline="New Virginia map splits Richmond, weakens GOP districts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vpap.org/redistricting/2026/" target="_blank">congressional map proposal</a> that could deliver them all but one of the state&#x27;s 11 House districts in this year&#x27;s midterms.Why it matters: They&#x27;re using metro Richmond and Northern Virginia to do it.

Politics 🇺🇸

Supreme Court ruling puts $2.7B in Virginia tariffs in limbo

Virginia's Pound town won't disappear — for now

How Virginia's legal weed market could look

How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill

Virginia considers assault weapons ban, $15 wage and paid leave