Democratic Delegate Alex Askew introduced a bill for the fourth consecutive session that would eliminate the state recordation tax exemption for the Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy implemented in 1950, and the tax-exempt designation for real and personal property owned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the General Organization of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, the Virginia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Stonewall Jackson Memorial, Incorporated, and the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust, Inc.

State code exempts most nonprofit organizations, including hospitals and churches. Askew’s bill allows localities to continue these exemptions while removing any mandatory state exemptions. Former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed the measure in 2025, arguing the legislature should broadly reform tax exemptions rather than targeting specific organizations.

“The property tax exemption by designation is ripe for reform, delineated by inconsistencies and discrepancies,” Youngkin said. “Narrowly targeting specific organizations to gain or lose such tax exemptions sets an inappropriate precedent. Initially, the General Assembly granted exemptions through a three-quarters vote of both chambers, but now, a simple majority can revoke them. Choosing winners and losers is imprudent and undermines the tax system’s fairness.”

The new version of the bill passed through the House of Delegates on Tuesday on a 62-35 vote.