State Sen. Timmy F. French has introduced legislation aimed at broadening state backing for community college infrastructure and workforce training options, the Virginia State Senate reports.
The measure, named SB773 and introduced Jan. 22, 2026, during the regular session, is officially titled: “Community Colleges, powers, State Board for; acquisition and improvement of certain property.”
Below is a summary of the bill’s contents based on the actual legislative text, with clarifications as needed for understanding.
The legislation would give the State Board for Community Colleges authority to purchase roughly 4.8 acres—comprising an existing building and parking—next to Laurel Ridge Community College from the Laurel Ridge Community College Educational Foundation at a partial-gift price below fair market value. The purchase is to use only nongeneral funds, such as auxiliary reserves and earnings from noncredit workforce programs. Once acquired, the site will be treated as a state facility qualified for capital projects and upkeep support, required to keep delivering student services, and scheduled, when funded, for renovation to support instructional and workforce training in career and technical fields including health care, IT and skilled trades.
Sen. Timmy F. French (Republican-1st District) is the bill’s sole sponsor.
Since the session started, French has filed three additional bills.
French, a Republican, became a Virginia State Senator in 2024, taking over the 1st Senate district seat from T. Monty Mason.
In Virginia, the legislative process starts with a bill’s introduction either in the House of Delegates or the Senate. Bills are reviewed by committees, which may amend them before they reach the floor for debate and a vote in both chambers. A bill that passes both chambers goes to the governor, who may sign, veto, or allow the measure to become law without a signature. The General Assembly begins each regular session on the second Monday in January, considering hundreds of bills annually, but only a fraction advance to become law.
| Legislative Session | Patron(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Timmy F. French | SB773 | 01/22/2026 | Community Colleges, powers, State Board for; acquisition and improvement of certain property. |
| 2026 | Timmy F. French and T. Travis Hackworth | SB383 | 01/14/2026 | Invasive plant species installation; written notification to property owners, civil penalty. |
| 2026 | Timmy F. French | SB385 | 01/14/2026 | Front Royal, Town of; amending charter, relating to town manager. |
| 2026 | Timmy F. French | SB390 | 01/14/2026 | Apple Board; repealing Board and Apple Fund effective July 1, 2028, delayed effective date, report. |
| 2025 | Timmy F. French | SB857 | 01/08/2025 | Dam Safety Act; powers and duties of DCR, rights and requirements of dam owners, civil penalty. |
Information in this article was obtained from the Virginia State Senate. The source data can be found here.
