Counties, Cities and Towns Committee Agenda

Chair: Helmer, Dan

Meeting Date & Time: 02/06/2026 09:00 AM Add to Calendar

Location: House Committee Room B - 205

Testimony/Comments: Sign up to speak or submit comments (opens in a new window)

Additional Resource(s):

Video: Archived

Committee Clerk: Karen Glasco (804) 698-1941

DLS Staff: Jeff Sharp (804) 698 - 1864

Continued Block

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB914 Lopez Local Environmental Impact Fund; created.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 15.2 a chapter numbered 24.4, consisting of a section numbered 15.2-2441, relating to Local Environmental Impact Fund.

Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/5/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 2/5/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/6/2026 - Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

HB1021 Reaser Affordable housing; development of an assisted living facility.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2305.2, relating to affordable housing; assisted living facilities.

Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/5/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 2/5/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/6/2026 - Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

HB1394 Cole, J.G. Loitering; unhoused persons.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-926 of the Code of Virginia, relating to loitering; unhoused persons.

Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 2/5/2026 - House subcommittee offered
  • 2/5/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 2/5/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/6/2026 - Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

HB1430 Cousins Residential development; authorizes any locality to impose impact fees.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2328 and 15.2-2329 of the Code of Virginia, relating to impact fees.

Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/5/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 2/5/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/6/2026 - Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

Block 2

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB1061 Martinez Housing for local employees; grants for homeownership and workforce housing alternatives.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-958.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to housing for local employees; grants for homeownership.

Stricken from docket by Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)

Yeas (21): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 1/14/2026 - Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105309D
  • 1/14/2026 - Committee Referral Pending
  • 1/14/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 1/30/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Related Bills:

SB328 (Perry)

Block 3

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB1122 Reid Landowners; vested rights.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2307 of the Code of Virginia, relating to vested rights.

Fiscal Impact

Last actions:

  • 2/6/2026 - House committee offered
  • 2/6/2026 - Continued to 2027 in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
  • 2/12/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/13/2026 - Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

Block 4

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB457 Krizek Land development; solar canopies in parking areas, definition.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-961.4, relating to land development; solar canopies in surface parking areas.

Incorporated by Counties, Cities and Towns (HB1234-Sewell) (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 1/12/2026 - Committee Referral Pending
  • 1/12/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 1/28/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 1/28/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Related Bills:

HB1234 (Sewell)

HB1234 Sewell Land development; definitions, solar canopies in surface parking areas, delayed effective date.

Summary: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-961.4, relating to land development; solar canopies in surface parking areas.

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (20-Y 1-N)

Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin

Nays (1): McNamara

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 2/11/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/11/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed House (76-Y 22-N 0-A)
  • 3/6/2026 - Senate substitute agreed to by House (67-Y 30-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Local Government Substitute agreed to

• 3/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

• 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

HB457 (Krizek)

HB496 Guzman Certain data from water users; water use consumption for domestic, etc., purposes, data centers.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 62.1-44.38 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certain data from water users; water use consumption for domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes and from data centers.

Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 2/16/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/16/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (74-Y 23-N 0-A)
  • 3/6/2026 - Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 97-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Local Government Substitute agreed to

• 3/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

• 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate with substitute (25-Y 15-N 0-A)

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 1-N)

HB995 Seibold Trees; conservation of during land development process in Planning District 8 minimum tree canopy.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-961.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to conservation of trees during land development process; Planning District 8; minimum tree canopy or cover percentages requirements after development.

Incorporated by Counties, Cities and Towns (HB549-Hope) (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 1/28/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 1/28/2026 - Referred by Committee
  • 1/28/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/5/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
HB549 Hope Trees; conservation and replacement during development process in certain localities, report.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-961 and 15.2-961.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to conservation and replacement of trees during development process; work group; report.

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (16-Y 4-N 1-A)

Yeas (16): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Tata

Nays (4): Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, McLaughlin

Abstaining (1): Morefield

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 2/11/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/11/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)
  • 3/6/2026 - Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 96-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Local Government Substitute agreed to

• 3/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

• 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate with substitute (24-Y 16-N 0-A)

HB723 Leftwich Subdivision of property; sale and transfer.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2254 of the Code of Virginia, relating to subdivision of property; sale and transfer.

Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 1/23/2026 - Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 1-N)
  • 1/23/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/6/2026 - Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 1-N)

HB778 Thornton Pop-up events; local enhanced enforcement actions.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-925.2, relating to unpermitted temporary gatherings; local enhanced enforcement actions.

Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/5/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
  • 2/5/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/6/2026 - Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session
HB833 McClure Land subdivision and development; optional provisions of a subdivision ordinance, etc.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2242 of the Code of Virginia, relating to land subdivision and development; optional provisions of a subdivision ordinance; electric vehicle charging stations; Department of Energy; report.

Fiscal Impact

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) and rereferred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N)

Yeas (21): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 2/12/2026 - Engrossed by House as amended
  • 2/12/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26105260D-E
  • 2/13/2026 - Read third time and passed House (60-Y 34-N 0-A)
  • 2/18/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB833)
  • 3/6/2026 - Senate amendment agreed to by House (61-Y 35-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Local Government Amendment agreed to

• 3/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate as amended

• 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate with amendment (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

General Government and Capital Outlay Subcommittee

Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)

HB844 Kent Public utilities; discounted water and sewer fees, Town of Bowling Green.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2119.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public utilities; discounted water and sewer fees; Town of Bowling Green.

Stricken from docket by Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)

Yeas (21): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 1/13/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 1/28/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1
  • 1/29/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 1/30/2026 - Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)
  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Subcommittee #1

Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

HB985 Garrett Local land use; authority for decision belongs solely to locality.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2202.1, relating to local land use decision authority.

Stricken from docket by Counties, Cities and Towns (20-Y 1-N)

Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, McLaughlin

Nays (1): Tata

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 1/13/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 1/28/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3
  • 1/28/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/5/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
HB1149 Hodges Water distribution systems; lead status inspections for water service lines.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2144 and 15.2-5114 of the Code of Virginia, relating to inspection of water distribution systems; lead status inspections for water service lines.

Last actions:

  • 2/15/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/16/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/16/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/3/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 0-N)

HB1212 Sewell Zoning; small lot residential districts required.

Summary: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2286.2, relating to small lot residential zoning district.

Fiscal Impact

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (17-Y 3-N 1-A)

Yeas (17): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Wyatt

Nays (3): Hodges, Tata, McLaughlin

Abstaining (1): McNamara

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)
  • 3/6/2026 - Senate amendments agreed to by House (60-Y 35-N 0-A)
  • 3/6/2026 - Reconsideration of Senate amendments agreed to by House
  • 3/6/2026 - Senate amendments agreed to by House (61-Y 35-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Local Government Amendments agreed to

• 3/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate as amended

• 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate with amendments (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

HB1316 Pope Adams Removal of clutter; cutting of grass; agricultural use exemption; Planning District 19.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-901 of the Code of Virginia, relating to removal of clutter; agricultural use exemption; Planning District 19.

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (19-Y 2-N)

Yeas (19): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, Tata, McLaughlin

Nays (2): McNamara, Wyatt

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/6/2026 - Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (19-Y 2-N)
  • 2/10/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/11/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed House (80-Y 18-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/3/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

HB315 (Wachsmann)

SB742 (Aird)

HB1463 Thomas Zoning; nonconforming uses, manufactured homes.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2307 of the Code of Virginia, relating to zoning; nonconforming uses; manufactured homes.

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)

Yeas (21): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/6/2026 - Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)
  • 2/10/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/11/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/3/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 3/4/2026 - Read third time

• 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Subcommittee #1

Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

HB1477 Askew Norfolk, City of; amending charter, conformity with zoning ordinance.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 2, as amended, of Chapter 34 of the Acts of Assembly of 1918, which provided a charter for the City of Norfolk, relating to conformity with the zoning ordinance.

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)

Yeas (21): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin

Not Voting (1): Knight

Last actions:

  • 2/11/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 3/2/2026 - Enrolled
  • 3/2/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1477ER)
  • 3/2/2026 - Signed by Speaker

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/24/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 2/24/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 2/25/2026 - Read third time

• 2/25/2026 - Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 3/2/2026 - Signed by President

Related Bills:

SB806 (Williams Graves)