General Assembly passes HB1047, defining Virginia War Memorial oversight and policies

A recently approved measure sponsored by State Del. Betsy B. Carr clarifies the division status, ownership, and operational policies for the Virginia War Memorial, following favorable votes in both chambers, according to the Virginia State House.

The legislation advanced in both chambers and became formally enrolled as of March 9, 2026, with a 97-0 vote in the House and a 40-0 vote in the Senate.

Filed as HB1047 on Jan. 14, 2026, for the 2026 regular session, the bill was summarized by the legislature as: “Va. War Memorial Foundation; Commissioner of Dept. of Veterans Services shall provide supervision.”

Below is a synopsis based on the actual bill text, with some language included to clarify its details.

Essentially, the bill reaffirms the Virginia War Memorial as part of the Department of Veterans Services, confirms all memorial property as state-owned, and maintains the commissioner’s regulatory authority outside the Administrative Process Act. The measure reiterates the memorial’s mission to commemorate and educate regarding Virginia’s veterans, tasks the department and the Board of Veterans Services with setting visitation policy and fees, and sets July 1, 2019, as the date from which names and home-of-record data for qualifying fallen or missing Virginians must be honored. It additionally empowers the memorial to receive unclaimed military medals and related items, attempt to locate rightful owners, and oversee nonprofit fundraising efforts.

In the House, support included 63 Democrats and 34 Republicans.

The Senate saw 21 Democrats and 19 Republicans vote in favor.

The bill was sponsored by Del. Betsy B. Carr (Democrat-78th District), Del. Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr. (Republican-59th District), and Del. Virgil Thornton (Democrat-86th District).

Carr earned her BA from Hollins College in 1968.

A Democrat, Carr was elected in 2024 to the Virginia House of Delegates for the 78th District, succeeding former state representative Jay Leftwich.

In Virginia, the legislative process starts with the introduction of a bill in either chamber. The measure is assigned to committee for consideration and possible amendment. If approved, it moves to floor debate and votes in both the House and Senate. Once both chambers adopt the bill, it is sent to the governor for signature, veto, or enactment without signature. The General Assembly meets yearly beginning the second Monday in January. Hundreds of bills are introduced each session, though only some are enacted into law.

Information in this article was obtained from the Virginia State House. The source data can be found here.