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2026 Session

Budget Amendments - SB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Rouse
Federal Litigation Unit

Item 50 #4s

Item 50 #4s

First Year - FY2027 Second Year - FY2028
Executive Offices
Attorney General and Department of Law FY2027 $1,298,080 FY2028 $1,298,080 GF
FY2027 8.00 FY2028 8.00 FTE

Language
Page 45, line 12, strike "$61,665,660" and insert "$62,963,740".
Page 45, line 12, strike "$61,665,660" and insert "$62,963,740".


Explanation

(This amendment provides $1.3 million GF each year and 8.0 positions to establish a dedicated Federal Litigation Unit within the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to protect Virginia’s constitutional authority, fiscal interests, and residents from unlawful or overreaching federal action. In recent years, the federal executive branch and administrative agencies have increasingly relied on expansive interpretations of statutory authority, executive actions, and regulatory mandates that carry significant consequences for states. A specialized unit would allow Virginia to respond swiftly and strategically in federal court, challenge actions that exceed constitutional or statutory authority, defend duly enacted state laws, and participate effectively in multistate litigation when the Commonwealth’s interests are implicated. Investing in this capacity ensures Virginia is prepared to defend the Commonwealth, protect taxpayer resources, and uphold the rule of law regardless of changes in federal leadership. It will also enable the OAG to effectively fight to claw back resources that have been unlawfully withheld, or ensure resources the Commonwealth is entitled to are disbursed appropriately.)