VirginiaHB10502026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Chatham, Town of; amending charter, updating or removing outdated provisions.

Sponsored By: Eric Phillips (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Charter; Town of Chatham. Amends the charter for the Town of Chatham in Pittsylvania County by updating or removing outdated provisions. This bill is identical to SB 127.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

15 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 9 mixed.

Town help for children and seniors

The town can provide or fund care for children, sick people, seniors, and people with mental illness or poverty. The council may give money to groups that provide this care. Help depends on council decisions.

Stronger limits on taxes, debt, and pay

New guardrails protect taxpayers. No town tax or new debt passes without a two-thirds council vote. Four yes votes count as two-thirds. The vote is recorded by name. The treasurer cannot use town money for personal gain and can be removed. The mayor votes only to break a tie. Pay is capped at $1,200 a year for the mayor and $600 for each council member.

Local taxes, fees, and town spending

The town can raise money through local taxes, fees, and other charges under state law. It can charge different (often higher) rates to nonresidents for town permits and services. The council can spend town money on any lawful municipal purpose.

Street projects and special assessments

The town builds and maintains streets, sidewalks, parks, bridges, sewers, and drains, and sets traffic and speed rules. It can open, widen, and improve roads and require railroad crossing safety consistent with state law. The town can produce its own road and building materials to lower project costs. To help pay for local improvements, it can levy special assessments on benefited properties.

Town water, sewer, trash and fees

The town runs water, sewer, and trash services and can set the rules. It charges water and sewer rates and other service fees, and it can require a deposit before service. If your property abuts a sanitary sewer, the town can require you to connect and pay connection charges. The town may also set rules to protect water quality.

Building safety, zoning, and cleanup rules

The town sets local zoning, building, plumbing, and heating rules that follow state law. It can order dangerous buildings repaired or removed and set safety rules for public spaces. The town can require owners or occupants to clean up nuisances and can do the work and bill you if you do not.

Town treasurer and money safeguards

The council appoints a town treasurer every two years. The treasurer must post a bond, collect taxes and fees, keep separate town accounts, and deposit funds in secured banks. Money is paid out only on a clerk’s warrant countersigned by the mayor.

How town leaders are chosen and meet

Elections are held in November; the mayor serves two-year terms and six council members serve staggered four-year terms. Officials take office January 1. The council must meet at least monthly; four members make a quorum and a vice-mayor is chosen. Ordinances with penalties must be published before taking effect; emergency ordinances must state the emergency. The clerk keeps indexed minutes and publishes required notices. The mayor may suspend appointed officers until the next regular meeting with written charges; the council judges members, can discipline and fill vacancies, and state election officials run town elections. All charter language is read in a gender‑neutral way.

Police department and one-mile reach

The town can run a police department, appoint a chief and officers, and set their rules and pay. Officers can arrest without a warrant for crimes they see and have no civil power. The mayor, council, sergeant, and police have criminal authority up to one mile outside town limits. The town may offer rewards to help catch and convict criminals.

Town can borrow for local projects

The town can borrow money and issue debt to fund local projects. Borrowing can speed repairs and services. It can also raise future taxes or fees to repay the debt.

Town land, parks, and cemeteries

The town can buy, sell, lease, or condemn property for public use. It may run parks and pools outside town limits and charge admission, rent, or leases. The town also provides and regulates cemeteries, sells burial lots, and manages perpetual-care funds for upkeep.

New rules for sellers and scales

The town sets rules for markets and street sellers. It inspects and licenses weights, meters, and scales. Sellers must get required permits and pass checks. Buyers gain protection against short weights and unsafe sales.

Permits for fairs and public events

The town requires permits and sets rules for shows, fairs, carnivals, and similar events. It can set locations and deny events for safety. Organizers must apply and follow local conditions.

Public order rules and penalties

The town can punish damage to property and restrict minors from loitering in poolrooms, billiard parlors, or bowling alleys; owners can be penalized. It regulates fireworks, explosives, and hazardous fires. It can restrain or expel certain disorderly or dangerous persons, including people here less than 12 months or without visible means of support. People jailed under town ordinances can be required to work on town projects.

Utility poles, wires, and franchises

The town regulates poles, wires, and pipes in streets and can require moves or underground placement for new lines. It may set annual charges for these installations. The town can also grant utility franchises, subject to the Constitution and state law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eric Phillips

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Local Government Block Vote

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 1/30/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0258)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 258 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1050ER)

    3/2/2026House
  6. Enrolled

    3/2/2026House
  7. Signed by President

    3/2/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    3/2/2026House
  9. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026Senate
  10. Read third time

    2/25/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/24/2026Senate
  12. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026Senate
  13. Rules suspended

    2/24/2026Senate
  14. Reported from Local Government Block Vote (14-Y 0-N)

    2/23/2026Senate
  15. Referred to Committee on Local Government

    2/18/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  17. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  18. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/16/2026House
  19. committee amendments agreed to

    2/16/2026House
  20. Read second time

    2/16/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/15/2026House
  22. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)

    2/13/2026House
  23. House subcommittee offered

    1/30/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 0-N)

    1/30/2026House
  25. Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1

    1/28/2026House

Bill Text

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