Counties, Cities and Towns Committee Agenda

Chair: Helmer, Dan

Meeting Date & Time: 02/20/2026 09:00 AM Add to Calendar

Location: House Committee Room B - 205

Notes: Please note that any bills from Subcommittees 1, 2 or 3 may also be heard in this meeting. Senators do not need to attend for the blocks where their bills have cognates.

Additional Resource(s):

Video: Scheduled

Committee Clerk: Karen Glasco (804) 698-1941

DLS Staff: Jeff Sharp (804) 698 - 1864

Block 1

Bill(s) Patron Title
SB26 Carroll Foy Land development; definitions, solar canopies in surface parking areas, delayed effective date.

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.

Last actions:

  • 2/17/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/17/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/17/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended

• 2/11/2026 - Engrossed

• 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended (Voice Vote)

• 2/11/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26107468D-ES1

• 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

SB94 Roem Siting of data centers; site assessment, high energy 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.

Last actions:

  • 2/17/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/17/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/17/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

• 2/11/2026 - Floor offered Senator Roem Amendments

• 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by Senate as amended

• 2/11/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26106623D-ES1

• 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 1-A)

SB116 Lucas Zoning; special exceptions for City of Portsmouth.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia, relating to zoning; special exceptions; City of Portsmouth.

Last actions:

  • 2/3/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/3/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/3/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/20/2026 - Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

• 1/20/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 1/21/2026 - Read second time

• 1/21/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

• 1/22/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

HB679 (Hayes)

SB127 Mulchi Chatham, Town of; amending charter, updating or removing outdated provisions.

Summary: A BILL 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.

Last actions:

  • 2/3/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/3/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/3/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/21/2026 - Local Government Amendments agreed to (Voice Vote)

• 1/21/2026 - Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 1/21/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26102020D-E

• 1/21/2026 - Engrossed by Senate as amended

• 1/22/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

HB1050 (Phillips)

SB226 Surovell Local competitive bidding for compost, etc.; waste disposal infrastructure, civil penalty.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 2.2-4328.4 and 15.2-937.1 and by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 9 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-141.2:1, relating to local competitive bidding for compost and other products containing organic soil amendments; waste disposal infrastructure; civil penalty.

Fiscal Impact

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/4/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/29/2026 - Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

• 1/29/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

• 1/29/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

• 1/30/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A)

• 1/30/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB226)

SB303 Jordan Suffolk, City of; amending charter, clarifying membership of city council.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3.01, as amended, 3.08, 7.02, and 7.03 of Chapter 367 of the Acts of Assembly of 1973, which provided a charter for the City of Suffolk, relating to council composition; city clerk; department oversight.

Last actions:

  • 2/3/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/3/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/3/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/20/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 1/20/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 1/21/2026 - Read second time

• 1/21/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

• 1/22/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

HB940 (Clark)

SB314 Ebbin Tourism improvement districts; transient occupancy tax in Arlington County.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2413.1, 15.2-2413.10, and 58.1-3825.4 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-740.1; and to repeal § 58.1-3825.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to tourism improvement districts; administering nonprofits; county manager plan; transient occupancy tax.

Fiscal Impact

Last actions:

  • 2/17/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/17/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/17/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/11/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (23-Y 17-N 0-A)

• 2/11/2026 - Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate

• 2/11/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

• 2/11/2026 - Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

• 2/17/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (2/17/2026 4:12 pm)

Related Bills:

HB524 (McClure)

SB328 Perry 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.

Last actions:

  • 2/10/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/10/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/10/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/3/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 2/3/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 2/4/2026 - Read second time

• 2/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

• 2/5/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (25-Y 14-N 1-A)

Related Bills:

HB1061 (Martinez)

SB343 Boysko Herndon, Town of; amending charter, relating to town council.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 4.1 and 4.2 and §§ 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, and 5.8, as severally amended, of Chapter 646 of the Acts of Assembly of 1968, which provided a charter for the Town of Herndon in Fairfax County, and to repeal §§ 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 6.1:2, and 7.5 of Chapter 646 of the Acts of Assembly of 1968, relating to town manager, town employees, town attorney.

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/4/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/27/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 1/27/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 1/28/2026 - Read second time

• 1/28/2026 - Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

SB388 McPike Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2201 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2288.9, relating to affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties.

Last actions:

  • 2/17/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/17/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/17/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/10/2026 - Reading of amendments waived

• 2/10/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended (Voice Vote)

• 2/10/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26106860D-ES1

• 2/10/2026 - Read second time

• 2/11/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

SB367 (Carroll Foy)

SB462 Cifers Louisa, Town of; new charter, previous charter repealed.

Summary: A BILL 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.

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/4/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 1/29/2026 - Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 1/29/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 1/29/2026 - Reconsideration of Passed by for the day agreed to

• 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

HB657 (Fowler)

SB648 Perry Local government; certain towns, suspension of officers, remedial plan, and meeting requirements.

Summary: A BILL to suspend certain officers, require a study, adopt a remedial plan, and establish meeting requirements of town councils in certain towns.

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/4/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/27/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 1/27/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 1/28/2026 - Read second time

• 1/28/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

• 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (30-Y 9-N 1-A)

SB742 Aird Removal of clutter; cutting of grass; agricultural use exemption; Planning District 19.

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

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Placed on Calendar
  • 2/4/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/27/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 1/27/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 1/28/2026 - Read second time

• 1/28/2026 - Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 1/29/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

HB1316 (Pope Adams)

Subcommittee #1

Subcommittee #2

Bill(s) Patron Title
SB44 Roem Cemeteries on private property; registration by localities in Planning District 8 (Northern Va.).

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-978 of the Code of Virginia, relating to registration by localities of cemeteries on private property; Planning District 8.

Fiscal Impact

Last actions:

  • 2/17/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/19/2026 - Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 0-N)
  • 2/19/2026 - House subcommittee offered
  • 2/19/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 1/20/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 1/20/2026 - Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

• 1/21/2026 - Read second time

• 1/21/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

• 1/22/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (31-Y 9-N 0-A)

Subcommittee #2

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

SB87 Stanley Local government sporting events and sporting facilities; automated external defibrillators.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-1808.1, relating to local government sporting events and sporting facilities; automated external defibrillators.

Fiscal Impact

Last actions:

  • 2/17/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/17/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/19/2026 - Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 0-N)
  • 2/19/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/11/2026 - Read second time

• 2/11/2026 - Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

• 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

• 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

• 2/12/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 0-N)

SB717 Salim Transit-oriented housing overlay districts; definitions, ordinances, report, sunset.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2288.9, relating to transit-oriented housing overlay districts; report.

Last actions:

  • 2/17/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/18/2026 - House subcommittee offered
  • 2/19/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 2/19/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/4/2026 - Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 2/4/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26100854D-E

• 2/5/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)

• 2/5/2026 - Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate

• 2/5/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

SB744 VanValkenburg Public Recreational Facilities Authorities Act; grants to localities, etc.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-5604 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Public Recreational Facilities Authorities Act.

Last actions:

  • 2/10/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/17/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/19/2026 - Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)
  • 2/19/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/3/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 2/3/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 2/4/2026 - Read second time

• 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)

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

SB800 French Winchester Parking Authority Act; amends Act to grant Authority power to sell, etc.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 6 of Chapter 221 of the Acts of Assembly of 1964, relating to Winchester Parking Authority Act.

Last actions:

  • 2/17/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/17/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/19/2026 - Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)
  • 2/19/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/11/2026 - Read second time

• 2/11/2026 - Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 2/11/2026 - Rules suspended

• 2/11/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/11/2026 - Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Subcommittee #2

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

Subcommittee #3

Block 5

Bill(s) Patron Title
SB454 VanValkenburg Zoning; by-right multifamily residential development.

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

Last actions:

  • 2/10/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/10/2026 - Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
  • 2/12/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
  • 2/18/2026 - Assigned HCCT sub: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
  • 2/18/2026 - Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda

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)