VirginiaHB1872026 Regular SessionHouse

Virginia Beach, City of; amending charter, transition to a city council, voting districts.

Sponsored By: Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Charter; City of Virginia Beach. Amends the charter for the City of Virginia Beach to reflect the City's transition to a city council consisting solely of single-member districts and the mayor. This bill is identical to SB 681 and contains an emergency clause.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

2024-2026 transition elections and terms

At the November 2024 election, voters choose members for districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 and the mayor at large. Candidates for those seats must live in the Blackwater, Princess Anne, or Virginia Beach boroughs as they existed on January 1, 1995. Those terms run from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028. At the November 2026 election, voters choose members for districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Those terms run from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2030. After that, all council members serve four-year terms.

Election timing and mayor candidate rules

City council elections happen at the November general election in even-numbered years. Terms start January 1 after the election. The mayor is elected every four years in November and serves a four-year term. Candidates must state whether they run at large, from their district, or for mayor, and are nominated by petition under state law. A sitting council member or the mayor who runs for another covered seat must resign at least 10 days before petition filing; the resignation takes effect December 31 and the seat is filled at the same general election. The law also repeals an older charter section on elections.

Ten district seats for city council

Virginia Beach is divided into 10 single-member districts. Each district elects one council member. The council has 11 members total, including a mayor elected citywide. The city sets district names and borders by ordinance and keeps populations roughly equal. However, the current district lines stay the same until redistricting after the 2030 U.S. census.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 310 • No: 79

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 22 • No: 18

House vote 3/6/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 66 • No: 29 • Other: 1

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 31 • No: 9

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Reconsideration of Senate passage rejected by Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Local Government

Yes: 10 • No: 5

House vote 1/30/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 83 • No: 13 • Other: 1

House vote 1/23/2026

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

Yes: 15 • No: 4

House vote 1/23/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 4 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026

    4/22/2026Governor
  2. Communicated to Governor

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0011)

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled bill text (HB187ER2)

    3/10/2026House
  6. Reenrolled

    3/10/2026House
  7. Approved by Governor-Chapter11(Effective 3/10/2026)

    3/10/2026Governor
  8. Signed by President

    3/10/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/10/2026House
  10. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 29-N 1-A)

    3/6/2026House
  11. Governor's recommendation received by House

    3/4/2026Governor
  12. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 10, 2026

    3/3/2026Governor
  13. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 03, 2026

    3/3/2026House
  14. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB187ER)

    3/2/2026House
  15. Enrolled

    3/2/2026House
  16. Signed by President

    3/2/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    3/2/2026House
  18. Passed Senate (31-Y 9-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026Senate
  19. Reconsideration of Senate passage rejected by Senate

    2/25/2026Senate
  20. Defeated by Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026Senate
  21. Passed by for the day

    2/25/2026Senate
  22. Read third time

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

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

    2/24/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    2/24/2026Senate

Bill Text

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