Bill Commons

VA HB 594

enacted

Affordable housing developments, certain; expedited approval.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · lower

Quick answers

Did VA HB 594 pass?

Yes. VA HB 594 has been enacted into law as of 2026-04-08. Latest recorded action (2026-04-08): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0406)

What is VA HB 594 about?

Expedited approval for certain affordable housing developments. Allows a locality, by ordinance, to authorize a zoning administrator to use an administrative process to approve rezoning applications for certain affordable housing developments. The bill requires that the affordable housing development comply with the Virginia Fair Housing Law, connect to a public or community water supply or sewage system, and be located within or adjacent to an area identified by the locality that could support increased density development and provide access to services. The bill also requires the locality, prior to the adoption of such ordinance, to advertise its intention to propose such ordinance within a certain period of time in a newspaper having a general circulation in the locality. The bill allows the Department of Housing and Community Development to give a locality priority for any grants or loans administered by the Department if such locality demonstrates to the Department's satisfaction that its ordinance has met the provisions of the bill. Finally, the bill requires certain localities that adopt such ordinance to include in their annual local housing policy report to the Department a summary of the ordinance.

Who sponsors VA HB 594?

Shelly A. Simonds is the primary sponsor of VA HB 594, joined by 27 cosponsors.

Description

Expedited approval for certain affordable housing developments. Allows a locality, by ordinance, to authorize a zoning administrator to use an administrative process to approve rezoning applications for certain affordable housing developments. The bill requires that the affordable housing development comply with the Virginia Fair Housing Law, connect to a public or community water supply or sewage system, and be located within or adjacent to an area identified by the locality that could support increased density development and provide access to services. The bill also requires the locality, prior to the adoption of such ordinance, to advertise its intention to propose such ordinance within a certain period of time in a newspaper having a general circulation in the locality. The bill allows the Department of Housing and Community Development to give a locality priority for any grants or loans administered by the Department if such locality demonstrates to the Department's satisfaction that its ordinance has met the provisions of the bill. Finally, the bill requires certain localities that adopt such ordinance to include in their annual local housing policy report to the Department a summary of the ordinance.

Introduced
2026-01-13
Latest action
2026-04-08 — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0406)
Bill type
bill
Last updated

Sponsors

  • Shelly A. Simondsprimary
  • Marcus B. Simoncosponsor
  • Irene Shincosponsor
  • Holly M. Seiboldcosponsor
  • David A. Reidcosponsor
  • Marcia S. "Cia" Pricecosponsor
  • Kimberly Pope Adamscosponsor
  • Leslie Chambers Mehtacosponsor
  • Garrett McGuirecosponsor
  • Marty Martinezcosponsor
  • Destiny LeVere Bollingcosponsor
  • Paul E. Krizekcosponsor
  • Karen Keys-Gamarracosponsor
  • Dan I. Helmercosponsor
  • Kathy K.L. Trancosponsor
  • Michael B. Fegganscosponsor
  • Rae Cousinscosponsor
  • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowlercosponsor
  • Nicole Colecosponsor
  • Laura Jane Cohencosponsor
  • Stacey Annie Carrollcosponsor
  • Betsy B. Carrcosponsor
  • Katrina Callsencosponsor
  • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parkercosponsor
  • Jessica L. Andersoncosponsor
  • Atoosa R. Reasercosponsor
  • Joshua G. Colecosponsor
  • Lily V. Franklincosponsor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

  1. 2026-01-13

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104652D

    filing,introduction

  2. 2026-01-13

    Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

    referral-committee

  3. 2026-01-20

    Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2

    referral-committee

  4. 2026-01-22

    Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

  5. 2026-01-23

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB594)

  6. 2026-01-23

    Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (20-Y 0-N)

    committee-passage

  7. 2026-01-27

    Read first time

    reading-1

  8. 2026-01-28

    Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

  9. 2026-01-28

    Read second time and engrossed

    reading-2

  10. 2026-01-29

    Read third time and passed House (89-Y 10-N 0-A)

    passage,reading-3

  11. 2026-01-30

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  12. 2026-01-30

    Referred to Committee on Local Government

    referral-committee

  13. 2026-03-02

    Senate committee offered

  14. 2026-03-02

    Reported from Local Government with substitute (10-Y 2-N 3-A)

    committee-passage

  15. 2026-03-02

    Committee substitute printed 26108916D-S1

    substitution

  16. 2026-03-03

    Rules suspended

  17. 2026-03-03

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  18. 2026-03-03

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  19. 2026-03-04

    Read third time

    reading-3

  20. 2026-03-04

    Local Government Substitute agreed to

  21. 2026-03-04

    Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    substitution

  22. 2026-03-04

    Passed Senate with substitute (28-Y 12-N 0-A)

    passage

  23. 2026-03-06

    Senate substitute agreed to by House (81-Y 15-N 0-A)

    substitution

  24. 2026-03-06

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB594)

  25. 2026-03-13

    Enrolled

    enrolled

  26. 2026-03-13

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB594ER)

    passage

  27. 2026-03-13

    Signed by Speaker

    passage

  28. 2026-03-13

    Signed by President

    passage

  29. 2026-03-13

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB594)

  30. 2026-03-14

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    enrolled,executive-receipt

  31. 2026-03-14

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    executive-receipt

  32. 2026-04-08

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 406 (effective 7/1/2026)

    executive-signature

  33. 2026-04-08

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0406)

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Subcommittee recommends reporting

    2026-01-22 · pass · 8-0

    Member-level votes (8)
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: yes
  • Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns

    2026-01-23 · pass · 20-0

    Member-level votes (22)
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Marty Martinez: not voting
    • 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: yes
    • Barry D. Knight: not voting
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: yes
    • Joseph P. McNamara: yes
    • Scott A. Wyatt: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes
  • H VOTE:

    2026-01-29 · pass · 89-10

    Member-level votes (100)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Jason S. Ballard: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Mitchell Cornett: yes
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: yes
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: yes
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • 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: yes
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: yes
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: yes
    • Barry D. Knight: not voting
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: yes
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes
    • Joseph P. McNamara: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
    • Justin Pence: yes
    • Eric Phillips: yes
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: yes
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: yes
    • Wendell S. Walker: yes
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: yes
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: yes
    • Madison Whittle: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: no
    • 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 · 10-2

    Member-level votes (15)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: abstain
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: abstain
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: abstain
    • 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 · 28-12

    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: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: no
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: no
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: no
    • 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: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • 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: 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: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes
  • H VOTE:

    2026-03-06 · pass · 81-15

    Member-level votes (99)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Jason S. Ballard: no
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: not voting
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Mitchell Cornett: yes
    • 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.: yes
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • 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.: not voting
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: yes
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: no
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: yes
    • 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: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes
    • Joseph P. McNamara: yes
    • Kirk McPike: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: not voting
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
    • Justin Pence: yes
    • Eric Phillips: yes
    • 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: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: yes
    • Wendell S. Walker: no
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: yes
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Madison Whittle: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: no
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: yes
    • Scott A. Wyatt: no
    • Eric R. Zehr: yes

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:

Use this data

Every field on this page is available from the free public API — no key or licence required. Fetch this bill as JSON: GET /api/v1/bills?jurisdiction=VA&identifier=HB 594. See the API docs or the MCP server for AI assistants.

Known limitations

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  • Committee referrals are not yet captured.

See the methodology page for data sources and limitations.