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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SB456 • 2026

Higher ed. institutions; eligibility for in-state tuition for citizens of fed. recognized Va. tribes.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-506 of the Code of Virginia, relating to institutions of higher education; eligibility for in-state tuition for citizens of federally recognized Virginia tribes.

Education
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Stuart
Last action
2026-02-11
Official status
Continued
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not explicitly state that institutions must verify tribal enrollment, only that they should do so as identified by the applicable tribe. The exact verification process is unclear from the provided information.

Making Tribal Citizens Eligible for In-State Tuition

This bill allows citizens of federally recognized Virginia tribes to pay in-state tuition at Virginia colleges and universities if they are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes students who are members or citizens of a federally recognized tribe eligible for in-state tuition if they attend an undergraduate program in Virginia.
  • Allows public college boards to charge in-state tuition rates to tribal members enrolled in graduate or professional programs.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Students who are citizens of federally recognized tribes in Virginia
  • Public institutions of higher education in Virginia

Terms To Know

Federally recognized tribe
A Native American or Alaska Native group that has a formal government-to-government relationship with the United States.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how tribal enrollment will be verified.
  • It is unclear when this law will take effect since it was continued to 2027 for further review.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SB456ASC1

2026-02-02

Education and Health Amendment

Plain English: The amendment adds a requirement for higher education institutions to verify tribal enrollment of students from federally recognized Virginia tribes with an official designated by the tribe.

  • Adds a new clause after 'program' on line 66, requiring institutions to confirm tribal membership status with a government official chosen by the student's tribe.
  • Inserts similar language after 'institution' on line 85.
  • The amendment does not specify how verification should be conducted or what happens if verification fails.
SB456AS1

2026-02-06 • Committee

Education and Health Amendment

Plain English: The amendment adds a requirement for higher education institutions to verify tribal enrollment of students from federally recognized Virginia tribes with an official designated by the tribe.

  • Adds a new clause after line 66 requiring colleges and universities to confirm a student's tribal membership status with a representative chosen by their tribe.
  • Inserts the same verification requirement after line 85.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-11 Finance and Appropriations

    Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 4-N)

  2. 2026-02-05 Education and Health

    Reported from Education and Health with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

  3. 2026-02-02 Higher Education

    Senate subcommittee amendments offered

  4. 2026-02-02 Higher Education

    Assigned Education sub: Higher Education

  5. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB456)

  6. 2026-01-13 Senate

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101099D

  7. 2026-01-13 Education and Health

    Referred to Committee on Education and Health

Official Summary Text

Institutions of higher education; eligibility for in-state tuition for citizens of federally recognized Virginia tribes.
Makes any non-Virginia student who is a member or citizen of a federally recognized tribe and who is enrolled in an undergraduate degree program eligible for in-state tuition. The bill also allows the governing board of any public institution of higher education to charge in-state tuition to such students enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program. This is a recommendation of the Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
(SB456)
AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE
EDUCATION AND HEALTH
1. Line 66, introduced, after
program
insert
. The institution shall verify tribal enrollment with the appropriate tribal government official, as identified by the applicable tribe

EDUCATION AND HEALTH
2. Line 85, introduced, after
institution
insert
. The institution shall verify tribal enrollment with the appropriate tribal government official, as identified by the applicable tribe