Counties, Cities and Towns Committee Agenda
Chair: Helmer, Dan
Meeting Date & Time: 01/23/2026 09:00 AM Add to Calendar
Location: House Committee Room B - 205
Active item: HB804 (Helmer)
Video: Archived
Committee Clerk: Karen Glasco (804) 698-1941
DLS Staff: Jeff Sharp (804) 698 - 1864
Bill to be referred
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB727 | Davis | Social services, local boards of; appointments, terms of office. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 63.2-301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local boards of social services; appointments; terms of office.
Referred from Counties, Cities and Towns and rereferred to Health and Human Services (Voice Vote) Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/23/2026 - Rereferred from Local Government to Rehabilitation and Social Services (12-Y 0-N) • 2/23/2026 - Rereferred to Rehabilitation and Social Services • 2/27/2026 - Removed from Rehabilitation and Social Services docket for Feb 27, 2026 • 3/6/2026 - Placed on Rehabilitation and Social Services docket for Mar 06, 2026 • 3/6/2026 - Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services (15-Y 0-N) |
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Subcommittee #1 Report
Bills that are recommended for reporting by the Substitute Committee will go onto the full CC&T meeting at 9:00am.
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB62 | Morefield | 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 (20-Y 0-N)Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 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) • 2/25/2026 - Passed Senate • 3/2/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: SB153 (Hackworth) Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N) |
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| HB98 | Ballard | Glen Lyn, Town of; repealing charter. |
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Summary: An Act to repeal Chapter 558, as amended, of the Acts of Assembly of 1950, which provided a charter for the Town of Glen Lyn in Giles County. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (20-Y 0-N)Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, 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 (6-Y 0-N) |
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| HB187 | Convirs-Fowler | 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 with amendment(s) (15-Y 4-N)Yeas (15): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, McLaughlin Nays (4): Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata Not Voting (3): Cohen, Martinez, Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/26/2026 - Read third time • 2/26/2026 - Passed Senate (31-Y 9-N 0-A) • 3/2/2026 - Signed by President • 3/10/2026 - Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 18-N 0-A) • 3/10/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: SB681 (Rouse) Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (4-Y 1-N) |
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| HB418 | Cole, N.T. | Zoning; manufactured housing. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2247 and 15.2-2290 of the Code of Virginia, relating to zoning; manufactured housing.
Incorporated by Counties, Cities and Towns (HB655-Maldonado) (Voice Vote) |
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| HB552 | Anderson | 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 (19-Y 1-N)Yeas (19): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Nays (1): McNamara Not Voting (2): Martinez, 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 Related Bills: SB179 (Diggs) Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N) |
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| HB655 | Maldonado | 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 with substitute (20-Y 0-N)Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, 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 (39-Y 1-N 0-A) Related Bills: HB418 (Cole, N.T.) HB801 (Helmer) Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 0-N) |
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| HB657 | Fowler | Louisa, Town of; new charter, previous charter repealed. |
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Summary: An Act to provide a new charter for the Town of Louisa in Louisa County and to repeal Chapter 68 of the Acts of Assembly of 1972, as amended, which provided a charter for the Town of Louisa. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (20-Y 0-N)Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, 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 Related Bills: SB462 (Cifers) Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N) |
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| HB732 | Davis | Rocky Mount, Town of; new charter, previous charter repealed. |
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Summary: A BILL to provide a new charter for the Town of Rocky Mount in Franklin County and to repeal Chapter 952 of the Acts of Assembly of 2000, which provided a charter for the Town of Rocky Mount. Tabled in Counties, Cities and Towns (17-Y 2-N)Yeas (17): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Tata, McLaughlin Nays (2): Hodges, Wyatt Not Voting (3): Martinez, Knight, McNamara Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N) |
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| HB764 | Zehr | Public utilities; discounted water and sewer fees, Town of Hurt. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2119.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public utilities; discounted water and sewer fees; Town of Hurt. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (20-Y 0-N)Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, 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 #1 Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N) |
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| HB801 | Helmer | Zoning; manufactured housing. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2247 and 15.2-2290 of the Code of Virginia, relating to zoning; manufactured housing.
Incorporated by Counties, Cities and Towns (HB655-Maldonado) (Voice Vote) |
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Subcommittee #2 Report
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB135 | Simon | Virginia Code Commission; extends subdivision plats work group, report. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact the second enactment of Chapter 100 of the Acts of Assembly of 2025, relating to Virginia Code Commission; subdivision plats work group. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (20-Y 0-N)Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, 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 #2 Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N) |
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| HB153 | Thomas | Data centers; site assessment, sound profile of the high energy use facility. |
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Summary: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2209.4, relating to siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (17-Y 2-N)Yeas (17): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McLaughlin Nays (2): McNamara, Wyatt Not Voting (3): Martinez, Knight, Tata Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 3/12/2026 - Senate Conferees: Roem, Srinivasan, Stanley • 3/12/2026 - Senate insisted on substitute • 3/14/2026 - Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A) • 3/14/2026 - Conference report agreed to by both chambers • 3/30/2026 - Signed by President Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N) |
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| HB164 | Thomas | Housing for local employees; grants for homeownership. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-958.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to housing for local employees; grants for homeownership. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (16-Y 4-N)Yeas (16): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges Nays (4): McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day • 3/4/2026 - Read third time • 3/4/2026 - Read third time • 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A) • 3/11/2026 - Signed by President Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 0-N) |
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| HB352 | Thomas | Local authority; authorized by ordinance to establish affordable housing performance grant programs. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-4905 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-958.4:1, relating to local authority; affordable housing performance grant programs. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (19-Y 1-N)Yeas (19): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Nays (1): McNamara Not Voting (2): Martinez, Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day • 3/4/2026 - Read third time • 3/4/2026 - Read third time • 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A) • 3/11/2026 - Signed by President Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N) |
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| HB511 | McAuliff | Data centers; industrial zoning. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2295.3, relating to data centers; industrial zoning.
Incorporated by Counties, Cities and Towns (HB153-Thomas) (Voice Vote) Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote) |
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| HB594 | Simonds | Affordable housing developments, certain; expedited approval. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2201 and 36-139.9 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2292.3, relating to expedited approval for certain affordable housing developments. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (20-Y 0-N)Yeas (20): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, 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 (28-Y 12-N 0-A) Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N) |
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| HB804 | Helmer | Localities; statewide housing targets. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2309 and 36-139 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2209.4, relating to statewide housing targets for localities. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (14-Y 6-N)Yeas (14): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire Nays (6): Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 1/30/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) • 1/30/2026 - Referred to Committee on Local Government • 3/2/2026 - Placed on Local Government docket for Mar 02, 2026 Related Bills: SB488 (VanValkenburg) Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 1-N) |
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| HB816 | Helmer | Zoning; by-right multifamily residential development in areas zoned for commercial use. |
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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. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (14-Y 6-N)Yeas (14): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire Nays (6): Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Wyatt, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (2): Martinez, Knight Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 3/2/2026 - Committee substitute printed 26108921D-S1 • 3/3/2026 - Rules suspended • 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 Related Bills: SB454 (VanValkenburg) Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 1-N) |
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Subcommittee #3 Report
Bills that are recommended for reporting by the Substitute Committee will go onto the full CC&T meeting at 9:00am.
| Bill(s) | Patron | Title |
|---|---|---|
| HB168 | Askew | 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 with substitute (15-Y 4-N)Yeas (15): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield Nays (4): Hodges, McNamara, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (3): Martinez, Knight, Wyatt Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 2/25/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute • 2/25/2026 - Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 17-N 0-A) • 3/4/2026 - Signed by President • 3/10/2026 - Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 18-N 0-A) • 3/10/2026 - Signed by President Related Bills: SB51 (Rouse) Subcommittee #3 Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 1-N) |
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| HB181 | Rasoul | Affordable dwelling unit program; adds Roanoke City to list of localities with authority to provide. |
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Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to affordable dwelling unit program; City of Roanoke. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (19-Y 0-N)Yeas (19): Helmer, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Askew, Cohen, Keys-Gamarra, Downey, Nivar, Thornton, Anderson, Cole, N.T., Franklin, M.A., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges, McNamara, Tata, McLaughlin Not Voting (3): Martinez, Knight, Wyatt Last actions:
Senate Committee Actions: • 3/3/2026 - Passed by for the day • 3/4/2026 - Read third time • 3/4/2026 - Read third time • 3/4/2026 - Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) • 3/11/2026 - Signed by President Subcommittee #3 Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 0-N) |
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| HB278 | Clark | Local anti-rent gouging authority; civil penalty. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-959.1, relating to local anti-rent gouging authority; civil penalty.
Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) Last actions:
Related Bills: SB355 (Boysko) Subcommittee #3 Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote) |
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| HB370 | Reid | Industrial/commercial use facilities; local authority on requiring water consumption in zoning ordinance. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local authority on requiring water consumption in zoning ordinance; industrial and commercial facilities.
Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) Last actions:
Subcommittee #3 Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote) |
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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. 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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| HB723 | Leftwich | Subdivision of property; sale and transfer. |
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Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2254 of the Code of Virginia, relating to subdivision of property; sale and transfer. Last actions:
Subcommittee #3 Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 1-N) |
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