2026 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

26109370D

SENATE BILL NO. 141

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation

on March 9, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Salim)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 8.01-46.3, relating to defamatory electioneering.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 8.01-46.3 as follows:

§ 8.01-46.3. Defamatory electioneering injunction.

In addition to any other remedies available, in any civil action based on a claim of defamation involving the broadcast or dissemination of allegedly defamatory media within 30 days of an election in which the plaintiff is a candidate for office, the plaintiff shall be entitled to make a motion for injunctive relief to prohibit the further publication or dissemination of such media. In making its determination on whether to grant such injunctive relief, a court shall consider the public's interest in having a properly informed electorate. Such motion shall be given priority over all pending matters before the court.