VA HB 1279
vetoedAffordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties.
Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · lower
Quick answers
Did VA HB 1279 pass?
No. VA HB 1279 passed the legislature but was vetoed on 2026-04-13. Latest recorded action (2026-04-13): Governor's recommendation received by House
What is VA HB 1279 about?
Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties. Allows for the administrative approval of development and construction of housing on land owned by property tax-exempt religious organizations or certain property tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and provides that zoning ordinances shall allow the by-right development and construction of housing on real property owned by such organizations, subject to various conditions and limitations. The bill provides that the review of such developments be completed pursuant to general law and states that localities shall not require a special exception, special use permit, conditional use permit, rezoning, or any discretionary review or approval process. The bill requires that at least 60 percent of the housing development's total units be for affordable housing and that the housing development remain affordable for at least 30 years. The bill also provides that all such housing is subject to local real property taxation following completion, unless explicitly exempted by the locality. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, and expires on January 1, 2031. This bill is identical to SB 388.
Who sponsors VA HB 1279?
Joshua G. Cole is the primary sponsor of VA HB 1279, joined by 10 cosponsors.
Description
Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties. Allows for the administrative approval of development and construction of housing on land owned by property tax-exempt religious organizations or certain property tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and provides that zoning ordinances shall allow the by-right development and construction of housing on real property owned by such organizations, subject to various conditions and limitations. The bill provides that the review of such developments be completed pursuant to general law and states that localities shall not require a special exception, special use permit, conditional use permit, rezoning, or any discretionary review or approval process. The bill requires that at least 60 percent of the housing development's total units be for affordable housing and that the housing development remain affordable for at least 30 years. The bill also provides that all such housing is subject to local real property taxation following completion, unless explicitly exempted by the locality. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, and expires on January 1, 2031. This bill is identical to SB 388.
- Introduced
- 2026-01-14
- Latest action
- 2026-04-13 — Governor's recommendation received by House
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Sponsors
- Joshua G. Coleprimary
- Virgil Thorntoncosponsor
- Destiny LeVere Bollingcosponsor
- Karen Keys-Gamarracosponsor
- Patrick A. Hopecosponsor
- Kathy K.L. Trancosponsor
- Nicole Colecosponsor
- Shelly A. Simondscosponsor
- Irene Shincosponsor
- Adele Y. McClurecosponsor
- Rae Cousinscosponsor
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
2026-01-14
Presented and ordered printed 26104765D
introduction
2026-01-14
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
referral-committee
2026-01-28
Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
referral-committee
2026-01-29
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 3-N)
2026-01-30
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (13-Y 8-N)
committee-passage
2026-02-03
Read first time
reading-1
2026-02-04
Read second time
reading-2
2026-02-04
committee amendments agreed to
amendment-passage
2026-02-04
Engrossed by House as amended
2026-02-05
Read third time and passed House (60-Y 36-N 0-A)
passage,reading-3
2026-02-06
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
2026-02-06
Referred to Committee on Local Government
referral-committee
2026-03-02
Reported from Local Government with substitute (9-Y 6-N)
committee-passage
2026-03-02
Committee substitute printed 26109006D-S1
substitution
2026-03-03
Rules suspended
2026-03-03
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-03
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-04
Read third time
reading-3
2026-03-04
Local Government Substitute agreed to
2026-03-04
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
substitution
2026-03-04
Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 17-N 0-A)
passage
2026-03-06
Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 95-N 0-A)
2026-03-10
Senate insisted on substitute (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
substitution
2026-03-10
Senate requested conference committee
referral-committee
2026-03-11
House acceded to request
2026-03-11
Conferees appointed by House
2026-03-11
House Conferees:Cole, J.G., Helmer, Morefield
2026-03-12
Conferees appointed by Senate
2026-03-12
Senate Conferees: McPike, Aird, Reeves
2026-03-13
Conference Report released
2026-03-13
Conference report agreed to by Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A)
committee-passage-favorable
2026-03-14
Conference report agreed to by House (54-Y 41-N 0-A)
committee-passage-favorable
2026-03-30
Enrolled
enrolled
2026-03-30
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1279ER)
passage
2026-03-30
Signed by President
passage
2026-03-31
Signed by Speaker
passage
2026-03-31
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
enrolled,executive-receipt
2026-03-31
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
executive-receipt
2026-04-13
Governor's recommendation received by House
executive-veto-line-item
Versions
Documents
Votes
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)
2026-01-29 · pass · 5-3
Member-level votes (9)
- Briana D. Sewell: no
- Shelly A. Simonds: yes
- Laura Jane Cohen: not voting
- Virgil Thornton: yes
- Nicole Cole: yes
- Garrett McGuire: no
- James W. Morefield: yes
- M. Keith Hodges: no
- Dan I. Helmer: yes
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s)
2026-01-30 · pass · 13-8
Member-level votes (22)
- Dan I. Helmer: yes
- Briana D. Sewell: no
- Irene Shin: yes
- Shelly A. Simonds: yes
- Alex Q. Askew: yes
- Laura Jane Cohen: yes
- Marty Martinez: yes
- Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
- Mark C. Downey: yes
- May Nivar: yes
- Virgil Thornton: yes
- Jessica L. Anderson: yes
- Nicole Cole: yes
- Margaret A. Franklin: yes
- Garrett McGuire: no
- Barry D. Knight: not voting
- James W. Morefield: no
- M. Keith Hodges: no
- Joseph P. McNamara: no
- Scott A. Wyatt: no
- Anne Ferrell Tata: no
- Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
H VOTE:
2026-02-05 · pass · 60-36
Member-level votes (100)
- Jessica L. Anderson: yes
- Bonita G. Anthony: yes
- Alex Q. Askew: yes
- Terry L. Austin: no
- Jason S. Ballard: no
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
- Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: no
- Gretchen M. Bulova: no
- Katrina Callsen: yes
- Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
- Betsy B. Carr: yes
- Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
- Mike A. Cherry: no
- Nadarius E. Clark: yes
- Laura Jane Cohen: yes
- Joshua G. Cole: yes
- Nicole Cole: yes
- Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
- Mitchell Cornett: no
- Rae Cousins: yes
- Will Davis: no
- Karrie K. Delaney: yes
- Lindsey Dougherty: yes
- Mark C. Downey: yes
- Michael B. Feggans: yes
- Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
- Lily V. Franklin: yes
- Margaret A. Franklin: not voting
- Debra D. Gardner: yes
- Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
- Jackie H. Glass: yes
- Timothy P. Griffin: no
- Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
- Karen Hamilton: no
- C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
- Dan I. Helmer: yes
- Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
- Phil M. Hernandez: yes
- Charniele L. Herring: yes
- M. Keith Hodges: no
- Patrick A. Hope: yes
- Hillary Pugh Kent: no
- Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
- Terry G. Kilgore: no
- Barry D. Knight: not voting
- Paul E. Krizek: yes
- Amy J. Laufer: yes
- James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
- Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
- Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
- Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
- Marty Martinez: not voting
- John Chilton McAuliff: no
- Adele Y. McClure: yes
- Garrett McGuire: no
- Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
- Joseph P. McNamara: no
- Delores L. McQuinn: yes
- Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
- James W. Morefield: yes
- May Nivar: yes
- Delores Oates: no
- Israel D. O'Quinn: no
- Justin Pence: no
- Eric Phillips: no
- Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
- Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
- Sam Rasoul: yes
- Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
- David A. Reid: yes
- Chris S. Runion: no
- Charlie Schmidt: yes
- Don Scott: yes
- Phillip A. Scott: no
- Holly M. Seibold: yes
- Briana D. Sewell: no
- Irene Shin: yes
- Marcus B. Simon: yes
- Shelly A. Simonds: yes
- JJ Singh: yes
- Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
- Anne Ferrell Tata: no
- Joshua E. Thomas: yes
- Virgil Thornton: yes
- Luke E. Torian: yes
- Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
- H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
- Wendell S. Walker: no
- Jeion A. Ward: yes
- R. Lee Ware: no
- Vivian E. Watts: yes
- Michael J. Webert: not voting
- Madison Whittle: no
- Bill Wiley: no
- Rodney T. Willett: yes
- Wren M. Williams: yes
- Tony O. Wilt: no
- Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
- Scott A. Wyatt: no
- Eric R. Zehr: no
Reported from Local Government with substitute
2026-03-02 · pass · 9-6
Member-level votes (15)
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- T. Travis Hackworth: yes
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Angelia Williams Graves: yes
- Tara A. Durant: no
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- Luther Cifers, III: no
- Bryce E. Reeves: no
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)
2026-03-03 · pass · 40-0
Member-level votes (40)
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- Lamont Bagby: yes
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
- Luther Cifers, III: yes
- Christie New Craig: yes
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Bill DeSteph: yes
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
- Tara A. Durant: yes
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Timmy French: yes
- T. Travis Hackworth: yes
- Christopher T. Head: yes
- Michael J. Jones: yes
- Emily M. Jordan: yes
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: yes
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
- Mark D. Obenshain: yes
- Mark J. Peake: yes
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Russet Perry: yes
- Todd E. Pillion: yes
- Bryce E. Reeves: yes
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: yes
- Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: yes
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
- David R. Suetterlein: yes
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
- Angelia Williams Graves: yes
Passage R
2026-03-04 · pass · 21-17
Member-level votes (40)
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- Lamont Bagby: yes
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
- Luther Cifers, III: no
- Christie New Craig: no
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Bill DeSteph: no
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
- Tara A. Durant: no
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Timmy French: no
- T. Travis Hackworth: yes
- Christopher T. Head: no
- Michael J. Jones: yes
- Emily M. Jordan: no
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: no
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
- Mark D. Obenshain: not voting
- Mark J. Peake: no
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Russet Perry: yes
- Todd E. Pillion: no
- Bryce E. Reeves: no
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: not voting
- Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
- Richard H. Stuart: no
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
- David R. Suetterlein: no
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
- Angelia Williams Graves: yes
H VOTE:
2026-03-06 · fail · 0-95
Member-level votes (99)
- Jessica L. Anderson: no
- Bonita G. Anthony: no
- Alex Q. Askew: no
- Terry L. Austin: no
- Jason S. Ballard: no
- Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: no
- Gretchen M. Bulova: no
- Katrina Callsen: no
- Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: no
- Betsy B. Carr: no
- Stacey Annie Carroll: no
- Mike A. Cherry: no
- Nadarius E. Clark: no
- Laura Jane Cohen: not voting
- Joshua G. Cole: no
- Nicole Cole: not voting
- Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: no
- Mitchell Cornett: no
- Rae Cousins: no
- Will Davis: no
- Karrie K. Delaney: no
- Lindsey Dougherty: no
- Mark C. Downey: no
- Michael B. Feggans: no
- Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
- Lily V. Franklin: no
- Margaret A. Franklin: no
- Debra D. Gardner: no
- Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
- Jackie H. Glass: no
- Timothy P. Griffin: no
- Elizabeth R. Guzman: no
- Karen Hamilton: no
- C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: no
- Dan I. Helmer: no
- Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: no
- Phil M. Hernandez: no
- Charniele L. Herring: no
- M. Keith Hodges: no
- Patrick A. Hope: no
- Hillary Pugh Kent: no
- Karen Keys-Gamarra: no
- Terry G. Kilgore: no
- Paul E. Krizek: no
- Amy J. Laufer: no
- James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
- Destiny LeVere Bolling: no
- Alfonso H. Lopez: not voting
- Michelle Lopes Maldonado: no
- Marty Martinez: no
- John Chilton McAuliff: no
- Adele Y. McClure: no
- Garrett McGuire: no
- Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
- Joseph P. McNamara: no
- Kirk McPike: no
- Delores L. McQuinn: not voting
- Leslie Chambers Mehta: no
- James W. Morefield: no
- May Nivar: no
- Delores Oates: no
- Israel D. O'Quinn: no
- Justin Pence: no
- Eric Phillips: no
- Kimberly Pope Adams: no
- Marcia S. "Cia" Price: no
- Sam Rasoul: no
- Atoosa R. Reaser: no
- David A. Reid: no
- Chris S. Runion: no
- Charlie Schmidt: no
- Don Scott: no
- Phillip A. Scott: no
- Holly M. Seibold: no
- Briana D. Sewell: no
- Irene Shin: no
- Marcus B. Simon: no
- Shelly A. Simonds: no
- JJ Singh: no
- Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: no
- Anne Ferrell Tata: no
- Joshua E. Thomas: no
- Virgil Thornton: no
- Luke E. Torian: no
- Kathy K.L. Tran: no
- H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
- Wendell S. Walker: no
- Jeion A. Ward: no
- R. Lee Ware: no
- Vivian E. Watts: no
- Michael J. Webert: no
- Madison Whittle: no
- Bill Wiley: no
- Rodney T. Willett: no
- Wren M. Williams: no
- Tony O. Wilt: no
- Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
- Scott A. Wyatt: no
- Eric R. Zehr: no
Insist & Request R
2026-03-10 · pass · 40-0
Member-level votes (40)
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- Lamont Bagby: yes
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
- Luther Cifers, III: yes
- Christie New Craig: yes
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Bill DeSteph: yes
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
- Tara A. Durant: yes
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Timmy French: yes
- T. Travis Hackworth: yes
- Christopher T. Head: yes
- Michael J. Jones: yes
- Emily M. Jordan: yes
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: yes
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
- Mark D. Obenshain: yes
- Mark J. Peake: yes
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Russet Perry: yes
- Todd E. Pillion: yes
- Bryce E. Reeves: yes
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: yes
- Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: yes
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
- David R. Suetterlein: yes
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
- Angelia Williams Graves: yes
Adopt Conference Committee Report R
2026-03-13 · pass · 23-16
Member-level votes (40)
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- Lamont Bagby: yes
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
- Luther Cifers, III: no
- Christie New Craig: no
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Bill DeSteph: no
- J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
- Tara A. Durant: no
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Timmy French: no
- T. Travis Hackworth: yes
- Christopher T. Head: no
- Michael J. Jones: yes
- Emily M. Jordan: no
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: no
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- Tammy Brankley Mulchi: not voting
- Mark D. Obenshain: no
- Mark J. Peake: no
- Stella G. Pekarsky: no
- Russet Perry: yes
- Todd E. Pillion: no
- Bryce E. Reeves: yes
- Danica A. Roem: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: yes
- Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
- Kannan Srinivasan: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: no
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
- David R. Suetterlein: no
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
- Angelia Williams Graves: yes
H VOTE:
2026-03-14 · pass · 54-41
Member-level votes (99)
- Jessica L. Anderson: yes
- Bonita G. Anthony: yes
- Alex Q. Askew: yes
- Terry L. Austin: no
- Jason S. Ballard: no
- Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: no
- Gretchen M. Bulova: no
- Katrina Callsen: yes
- Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
- Betsy B. Carr: yes
- Stacey Annie Carroll: not voting
- Mike A. Cherry: no
- Nadarius E. Clark: not voting
- Laura Jane Cohen: yes
- Joshua G. Cole: yes
- Nicole Cole: yes
- Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
- Mitchell Cornett: no
- Rae Cousins: yes
- Will Davis: no
- Karrie K. Delaney: yes
- Lindsey Dougherty: not voting
- Mark C. Downey: yes
- Michael B. Feggans: yes
- Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
- Lily V. Franklin: yes
- Margaret A. Franklin: yes
- Debra D. Gardner: yes
- Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
- Jackie H. Glass: no
- Timothy P. Griffin: no
- Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
- Karen Hamilton: no
- C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
- Dan I. Helmer: no
- Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
- Phil M. Hernandez: yes
- Charniele L. Herring: yes
- M. Keith Hodges: no
- Patrick A. Hope: yes
- Hillary Pugh Kent: no
- Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
- Terry G. Kilgore: no
- Paul E. Krizek: yes
- Amy J. Laufer: yes
- James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
- Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
- Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
- Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
- Marty Martinez: no
- John Chilton McAuliff: no
- Adele Y. McClure: yes
- Garrett McGuire: no
- Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
- Joseph P. McNamara: no
- Kirk McPike: yes
- Delores L. McQuinn: yes
- Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
- James W. Morefield: yes
- May Nivar: yes
- Delores Oates: no
- Israel D. O'Quinn: no
- Justin Pence: no
- Eric Phillips: no
- Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
- Marcia S. "Cia" Price: no
- Sam Rasoul: yes
- Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
- David A. Reid: yes
- Chris S. Runion: no
- Charlie Schmidt: yes
- Don Scott: yes
- Phillip A. Scott: no
- Holly M. Seibold: not voting
- Briana D. Sewell: no
- Irene Shin: yes
- Marcus B. Simon: yes
- Shelly A. Simonds: yes
- JJ Singh: yes
- Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
- Anne Ferrell Tata: no
- Joshua E. Thomas: yes
- Virgil Thornton: yes
- Luke E. Torian: yes
- Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
- H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
- Wendell S. Walker: no
- Jeion A. Ward: yes
- R. Lee Ware: no
- Vivian E. Watts: yes
- Michael J. Webert: no
- Madison Whittle: no
- Bill Wiley: no
- Rodney T. Willett: yes
- Wren M. Williams: yes
- Tony O. Wilt: no
- Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
- Scott A. Wyatt: no
- Eric R. Zehr: no
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
Official source
Attribution
Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z
Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:
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