Rules of construction; use of "shall," effective clause, report.
Sponsored By: Karrie K. Delaney (Democratic)
In Committee
Summary
Rules of construction; use of "shall." Provides that "shall," as used in the Code of Virginia, establishes a mandatory requirement and is not merely directory, unless the statute explicitly provides otherwise. The bill responds to the holding in Henderson v. Commonwealth, 77 Va. App. 250 (2023), in which the Court of Appeals held that when the General Assembly uses "shall" in a statute commanding action by a public official or public body such usage is directory and not mandatory. The foregoing provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly. The bill requires, effective in due course, the Virginia Code Commission to review the bill's provisions and evaluate the bill's effect on the Code of Virginia and to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2026.
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Karrie K. Delaney
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Continued from last session
7/21/2026SenateContinued to 2027 in Courts of Justice (11-Y 4-N)
3/9/2026SenateReferred to Committee for Courts of Justice
2/13/2026SenateConstitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
2/13/2026SenateRead third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
2/12/2026HouseEngrossed by House as amended
2/11/2026Housecommittee amendments agreed to
2/11/2026HouseRead second time
2/11/2026HouseRead first time
2/10/2026HouseReported from Rules with amendment(s) (16-Y 0-N)
2/6/2026HouseSubcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)
2/2/2026HouseAssigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee
2/2/2026HouseReferred from Courts of Justice and referred to Rules (Voice Vote)
1/28/2026HouseReferred to Committee for Courts of Justice
1/15/2026HousePresented and ordered printed 26104509D
1/15/2026House
Bill Text
Engrossed
2/11/2026
Amendment
2/6/2026
Introduced
1/15/2026
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