PR Newswire: Fathom Applauds Governor Spanberger's Signing of Landmark AI Governance Legislation

RICHMOND, Va., April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Abigail Spanberger signed SB 384 / HB 797, directing Virginia's Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) to evaluate the development of a framework for Independent Verification Organizations (IVOs): independent, expert-led bodies that verify whether AI systems meet safety standards. The legislation, introduced by Delegate Cliff Hayes, Jr. (D–Chesapeake) and Senator Angelia Williams Graves (D–Norfolk), passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support 84-14 and 40-0, reflecting a growing consensus that AI governance requires new institutional approaches beyond traditional "command and control" regulation or industry self-policing.