Counties Cities and Towns - Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee Agenda

Chair: Sewell, Briana

Meeting Date & Time: 01/22/2026 07:00 AM Add to Calendar

Location: House South Subcommittee Room - 210

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

Notes: Please note time change for this week only.

Additional Resource(s):

Video: Archived

Committee Clerk: Karen Glasco (804) 698-1941

DLS Staff: Jeff Sharp (804) 698-1864

Block 1

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB135 Simon Virginia Code Commission; extends subdivision plats work group, report.

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.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

Yeas (8): Sewell, Simonds, Cohen, Thornton, Cole, N.T., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges

Last actions:

  • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 3/2/2026 - Enrolled
  • 3/2/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB135ER)
  • 3/2/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB135)
  • 3/2/2026 - Signed by Speaker

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)

HB153 Thomas Data centers; site assessment, sound profile of the high energy use facility.

Summary: A BILL 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.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)

Yeas (8): Sewell, Simonds, Cohen, Thornton, Cole, N.T., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges

Last actions:

  • 1/27/2026 - Read first time
  • 1/28/2026 - Read second time
  • 1/28/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 1/28/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed House (90-Y 7-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/30/2026 - Referred to Committee on Local Government

• 3/2/2026 - Placed on Local Government docket for Mar 02, 2026

• 3/2/2026 - Reported from Local Government with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 2-N)

• 3/2/2026 - Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

• 3/2/2026 - Committee substitute printed 26108996D-S1

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)

HB164 Thomas Housing for local employees; grants for homeownership.

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.

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 0-N)

Yeas (8): Sewell, Simonds, Cohen, Thornton, Cole, N.T., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges

Last actions:

  • 1/28/2026 - Read second time
  • 1/28/2026 - committee amendment agreed to
  • 1/28/2026 - Engrossed by House as amended
  • 1/28/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26102981D-E
  • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/2/2026 - Reported from Local Government (7-Y 6-N)

• 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

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 0-N)

HB181 Rasoul Affordable dwelling unit program; adds Roanoke City to list of localities with authority to provide.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to affordable dwelling unit program; City of Roanoke.

Last actions:

  • 1/28/2026 - Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
  • 1/28/2026 - Read second time
  • 1/28/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 1/28/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed House (93-Y 5-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/2/2026 - Reported from Local Government (14-Y 0-N 1-A)

• 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

Subcommittee #3

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 0-N)

HB214 Feggans Home Flood Protection Assistance Program; enables a locality to establish by ordinance.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-984.1, relating to localities; Home Flood Protection Assistance Program.

Last actions:

  • 1/7/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 1/21/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 1/28/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 1/28/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 1/29/2026 - Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (9-Y 0-N)

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (9-Y 0-N)

HB352 Thomas Local authority; authorized by ordinance to establish affordable housing performance grant programs.

Summary: A BILL 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.

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

Yeas (8): Sewell, Simonds, Cohen, Thornton, Cole, N.T., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges

Last actions:

  • 1/22/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 1/23/2026 - Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (19-Y 1-N)
  • 1/27/2026 - Read first time
  • 1/28/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed House (78-Y 21-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/2/2026 - Reported from Local Government (11-Y 4-N)

• 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

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

HB509 McAuliff Zoning; agricultural operations, rental of accessory dwellings.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2288.6 of the Code of Virginia, relating to agricultural operations; rental of accessory dwellings.

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 1/12/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 1/20/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 1/21/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 1/22/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 1/23/2026 - Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

HB511 McAuliff Data centers; industrial zoning.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2295.3, relating to data centers; industrial zoning.

Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote)

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote)

HB594 Simonds Affordable housing developments, certain; expedited approval.

Summary: A BILL 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.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

Yeas (8): Sewell, Simonds, Cohen, Thornton, Cole, N.T., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges

Last actions:

  • 1/23/2026 - Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (20-Y 0-N)
  • 1/27/2026 - Read first time
  • 1/28/2026 - Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
  • 1/28/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed House (89-Y 10-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/2/2026 - Committee substitute printed 26108916D-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

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

HB598 Simonds Film industry community zones; local designation.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 38 of Title 58.1 an article numbered 12.2, consisting of a section numbered 58.1-3853.2, relating to local film industry community zones.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (8-Y 0-N)

Yeas (8): Sewell, Simonds, Cohen, Thornton, Cole, N.T., McGuire, Morefield, Hodges

Last actions:

  • 1/13/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 1/20/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (1/20/2026 11:48 am)
  • 1/20/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 1/21/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 1/22/2026 - Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (8-Y 0-N)

Related Bills:

HB272 (Walker)

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (8-Y 0-N)

HB787 Hayes Zoning; development agreements in certain localities within Planning District 23 (Hampton Roads).

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2303.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to zoning; development agreements in certain localities.

Last actions:

  • 2/16/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/16/2026 - committee amendments agreed to
  • 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House as amended
  • 2/16/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26105324D-E
  • 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/2/2026 - Reported from Local Government with amendment (15-Y 0-N)

• 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

HB804 Helmer Localities; statewide housing targets.

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.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 1-N)

Yeas (6): Sewell, Simonds, Cohen, Thornton, Cole, N.T., McGuire

Nays (1): Hodges

Not Voting (1): Morefield

Last actions:

  • 1/23/2026 - Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (14-Y 6-N)
  • 1/26/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB804)
  • 1/27/2026 - Read first time
  • 1/28/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)

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)

HB816 Helmer Zoning; by-right multifamily residential development in areas zoned for commercial use.

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.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 1-N)

Yeas (6): Sewell, Simonds, Cohen, Thornton, Cole, N.T., McGuire

Nays (1): Hodges

Not Voting (1): Morefield

Last actions:

  • 1/28/2026 - Read second time
  • 1/28/2026 - committee amendments agreed to
  • 1/28/2026 - Engrossed by House as amended
  • 1/28/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26103929D-E
  • 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed House (64-Y 35-N 0-A)

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)