Virginia must report on State Police budget deficits after audit requirement takes effect

Virginia’s 2026 budget language requires an audit related to Virginia State Police financial reporting and budget deficits, placing the agency’s finances under formal review by state executive and legislative budget officials.

The Department of Planning and Budget must submit its findings by Aug. 30, 2026, to the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. A second report, describing actions to avoid future budget deficits, is due Nov. 1, 2026, to the governor and the chairs of the legislative budget committees.

The provision assigns responsibilities to the Virginia State Police, the Department of Planning and Budget, the secretary of public safety and homeland security, and the secretary of finance. It does not state the size of the deficits underlying the review. The findings could help determine why the agency is facing budget pressure and what changes may be needed to avoid future shortfalls, with potential consequences for agency operations, public-safety staffing and state budget decisions. The next scheduled step is the Aug. 30 findings report; the budget language does not establish that the report has already been filed.