2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105283D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1264

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 9.1 a section numbered 9.1-602, relating to Virginia Accountability Commission established.

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Patrons—Shin and Maldonado

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Referred to Committee on Public Safety

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 9.1 a section numbered 9.1-602 as follows:

§ 9.1-602. Virginia Accountability Commission.

A. The Virginia Accountability Commission (the Commission) is established in the executive branch as an advisory commission.

B. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Create a public record of the conduct of federal agents and any federal military-style operations throughout the Commonwealth;

2. Examine the impact of that conduct on individuals and communities; and

3. Consider policy recommendations to prevent future harm to such individuals and communities.

C. As part of the Commission's duties, the Commission shall (i) determine the most effective manner in which the Commission can gather publicly-available videos documenting the actions of federal officers, including agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agents working in coordination with DHS; (ii) establish a procedure and channel to be utilized for the purpose of receiving complaints and gathering additional information and documentation, to the extent possible, of the actions of federal law enforcement and the impact of those actions, including through testimony; (iii) create a public record, including through public hearings, to document the conduct of federal officers and its impact on residents of the Commonwealth; (iv) analyze the documented conduct of federal officers and identify conduct requiring the most urgent corrective action and remediation based on its impact on the community and the egregiousness of the conduct; (v) make recommendations for law or policy changes to ensure greater protection for residents of the Commonwealth from violations of their rights and to ensure community safety; (vi) provide, not later than January 31, 2027, an initial status report outlining its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, not later than April 30, 2027, any supplementary reports the Commission deems appropriate; and (vii) refer, as appropriate, information or reports of potential violations of law to the agencies or entities responsible for investigating or enforcing such violations.

D. The Commission shall be composed of a chair, a vice-chair, and up to seven additional members, for a total membership of up to nine Commission members. The Governor, the House of Delegates, and the Senate shall each appoint three Commission members. The chair, vice-chair, and Commission members shall serve without compensation.

The term of each Commission member shall expire one year from the date of his appointment. Commissioners may be reappointed or replaced at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

E. The Office of Civil Rights with the Office of the Attorney General shall provide administrative and professional staff support to the operations of the Commission. In addition to support from the Office of Civil Rights, the Commission may, as it determines appropriate, work with subject matter experts, as well as non-profit organizations, to ensure it has access to appropriate staffing and expertise to conduct its review and analysis of the actions of federal law enforcement.