Counties, Cities and Towns Committee Agenda
Chair: Helmer, Dan
Meeting Date & Time: 02/13/2026 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)
Notes: Please Note: Public Comment will only be taken on bills not heard in subcommittee.
Video: Archived
Committee Clerk: Karen Glasco (804) 698-1941
DLS Staff: Jeff Sharp (804) 698 - 1864
Block 1
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB792 | Austin | Lexington, City of; amending charter, relating to city council, city attorney, etc. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15, as amended, § 17.1, §§ 21 and 32, as severally amended, and §§ 33.1, 47, and 49 of Chapter 662 of the Acts of Assembly of 1966, which provided a charter for the City of Lexington, relating to city council, city manager, city attorney, courts, and school board. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (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:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/24/2026 - Passed by for the day (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 Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 0-N) |
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| HB1050 | Phillips | Chatham, Town of; amending charter, updating or removing outdated provisions. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 3 through 6, as severally amended, of Chapter 480 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, which provided a charter for the Town of Chatham in Pittsylvania County, and to amend Chapter 480 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942 by adding a section numbered 15.1, relating to town powers and town council. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (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:
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: SB127 (Mulchi) Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 0-N) |
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Block 2
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB787 | Hayes | Zoning; development agreements in certain localities within Planning District 23 (Hampton Roads). |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2303.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to zoning; development agreements in certain localities. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (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:
Senate Committee Actions: • 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 Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) • 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) |
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| HB1122 | Reid | Landowners; vested rights. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2307 of the Code of Virginia, relating to vested rights.
Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) Last actions:
Subcommittee #3 Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N) |
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| HB1238 | Shin | Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3.2-6537 and 3.2-6543 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local ordinances; regulation of pet shops.
Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N) Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/24/2026 - Placed on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources docket for Feb 24, 2026 • 2/24/2026 - Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N) • 2/24/2026 - Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N) • 2/25/2026 - Removed from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural ResourcesRural Affairs docket for Feb 25, 2026 • 3/3/2026 - Removed from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural ResourcesWater Usage docket for Mar 03, 2026 |
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| HB1274 | Shin | Presidential visits; expenses of localities and constitutional offices. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 15.2-1508.5 and 15.2-1605.3, relating to localities; constitutional officers; expenses related to presidential visits.
Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) Last actions:
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Block 3
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB305 | Morefield | Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority; quorum. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-5502 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority; quorum. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (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:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/24/2026 - Passed by for the day (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 Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (3-Y 2-N) |
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| HB496 | Guzman | Certain data from water users; water use consumption for domestic, etc., purposes, data centers. |
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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. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (20-Y 1-N)Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Nays (1): Cohen Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
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) |
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| HB1149 | Hodges | Water distribution systems; lead status inspections for water service lines. |
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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. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (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:
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) |
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Senate Bills
Senators do not have to appear unless they want to offer a different substitute than the House version.
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| SB51 | Rouse | Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-1400 of the Code of Virginia, relating to election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts; emergency. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (16-Y 5-N)Yeas (16): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield Nays (5): Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/26/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 26, 2026 • 3/5/2026 - Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (20-Y 19-N 0-A) • 3/9/2026 - Reenrolled • 3/9/2026 - Reenrolled bill text (SB51ER2) • 3/9/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: HB168 (Askew) |
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| SB74 | McPike | Affordable housing; local zoning ordinance authority. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to affordable housing; local zoning ordinance authority. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (16-Y 5-N)Yeas (16): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield Nays (5): Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 3/30/2026 - Enrolled • 3/30/2026 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB74ER) • 3/30/2026 - Signed by President • 3/31/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 • 3/31/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 Related Bills: HB867 (Cousins) |
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| SB346 | VanValkenburg | Zoning; manufactured housing. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2247 and 15.2-2290 of the Code of Virginia, relating to zoning; manufactured housing. Reported from 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, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Nays (1): Hodges Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) • 2/5/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 2-N 0-A) • 2/18/2026 - Enrolled • 2/18/2026 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB346ER) • 2/18/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: HB418 (Cole, N.T.) |
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| SB347 | VanValkenburg | Solar facilities; local regulation, permits, special exceptions. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2241.2, 15.2-2288.7, and 15.2-2288.8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local regulation of solar facilities; special exceptions. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (15-Y 6-N)Yeas (15): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire Nays (6): Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/19/2026 - House substitute agreed to by Senate • 2/23/2026 - Enrolled • 2/23/2026 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB347ER) • 2/23/2026 - Signed by President • 3/2/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB347) Related Bills: HB711 (Herring) |
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| SB425 | Bagby | Comprehensive plan; environmental justice strategy. |
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Summary: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2223.6, relating to comprehensive plan; environmental justice strategy. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (15-Y 6-N)Yeas (15): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire Nays (6): Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) • 2/18/2026 - House substitute rejected by Senate • 2/23/2026 - Senate acceded to request (38-Y 0-N 0-A) • 2/23/2026 - Conferees appointed by Senate • 2/23/2026 - Senate Conferees: Bagby, Aird, Stanley |
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| SB454 | VanValkenburg | Zoning; by-right multifamily residential development. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2286.2, relating to zoning; by-right multifamily development. Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/5/2026 - Rules suspended • 2/5/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) • 2/5/2026 - Reading of amendments waived • 2/5/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) • 2/5/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26106475D-ES1 Related Bills: HB816 (Helmer) |
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| SB581 | Salim | Fairfax, City of; amending charter, elections, compensation for members of boards or commissions. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2, 3.1 and 5.2, as amended, of Chapter 319 of the Acts of Assembly of 1966, which provided a charter for the City of Fairfax, relating to financial powers; city elections; council powers. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (16-Y 5-N)Yeas (16): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, McNamara Nays (5): Morefield, Hodges, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/23/2026 - Senate acceded to request (38-Y 0-N 0-A) • 2/23/2026 - Conferees appointed by Senate • 2/23/2026 - Senate Conferees: Salim, Pekarsky, Diggs • 3/3/2026 - Conference report agreed to by Senate (28-Y 12-N 0-A) • 3/3/2026 - Conference report agreed to by both chambers Related Bills: HB1342 (Bulova) |
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| SB589 | Salim | Trees; conservation and replacement during development process in certain localities, report. |
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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 5-N)Yeas (16): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Tata Nays (5): Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, McLaughlin Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (24-Y 16-N 0-A) • 2/18/2026 - House substitute rejected by Senate • 2/23/2026 - Senate acceded to request (38-Y 0-N 0-A) • 2/23/2026 - Conferees appointed by Senate • 2/23/2026 - Senate Conferees: Salim, Srinivasan, Suetterlein |
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Senate Bills
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| SB153 | Hackworth | Tazewell, Town of; amending charter, residency requirement for town manager. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 3-91 of Chapter 358 of the Acts of Assembly of 1958, which provided a charter for the Town of Tazewell in Tazewell County, relating to town manager. 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:
Senate Committee Actions: • 1/22/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) • 2/18/2026 - Enrolled • 2/18/2026 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB153ER) • 2/18/2026 - Signed by President • 3/10/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 Related Bills: HB62 (Morefield) |
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| SB179 | Diggs | Williamsburg, City of; amending charter, change of municipal elections. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 9, 39 through 43, and 55 of Chapters 143 and 156 of the Acts of Assembly of 2009, which provided a charter for the City of Williamsburg, relating to elections, finance director, and city budget. 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:
Senate Committee Actions: • 1/22/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) • 2/18/2026 - Enrolled • 2/18/2026 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB179ER) • 2/18/2026 - Signed by President • 3/10/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 Related Bills: HB552 (Anderson) |
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| SB443 | McPike | Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities, etc. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2316.9 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 7.3 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2316.10, relating to siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities; permitted accessory use. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (18-Y 3-N)Yeas (18): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, McNamara, McLaughlin Nays (3): Hodges, Wyatt, Tata Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 1/28/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote) • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 13-N 0-A) • 2/18/2026 - Enrolled • 2/18/2026 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB443ER) • 2/18/2026 - Signed by President |
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| SB681 | Rouse | Virginia Beach, City of; amending charter, transition to a city council, voting districts. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 3.01, as amended, § 3.01:1, and §§ 3.02:1 and 3.02:2, as amended, of Chapter 147 of the Acts of Assembly of 1962, which provided a charter for the City of Virginia Beach, and to repeal § 3.02:3 of Chapters 127 and 762 of the Acts of Assembly of 2020, relating to city council; voting districts; emergency. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (17-Y 4-N)Yeas (17): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Martinez, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, McNamara Nays (4): Hodges, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/18/2026 - Enrolled • 2/18/2026 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB681ER) • 2/18/2026 - Signed by President • 2/26/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 26, 2026 • 3/5/2026 - Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 17-N 0-A) Related Bills: HB187 (Convirs-Fowler) |
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| SB806 | Williams Graves | Norfolk, City of; amending charter, conformity with zoning ordinance. |
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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 (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, Tata, McLaughlin Nays (1): Wyatt Not Voting (1): Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote) • 2/5/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) • 2/18/2026 - Enrolled • 2/18/2026 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB806ER) • 2/18/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: HB1477 (Askew) |
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