VirginiaHB2572026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Comprehensive plan; social determinants of health.

Sponsored By: Shelly A. Simonds (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Comprehensive plan; social determinants of health. Encourages localities to utilize relevant and available data and research related to social determinants of health to consider how the locality's adopted comprehensive plan will impact the locality's overall public health and access to health care services.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Localities must adopt full plans

Every locality prepares and adopts a comprehensive plan. The plan guides growth to protect health, safety, order, convenience, and welfare, including for seniors and people with disabilities. Plans may show where roads, parks, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, utilities, recycling centers, zoning, and high‑voltage power line corridors go.

Use health and resilience data in planning

Local plans are encouraged to use data on social determinants of health to judge health impacts and access to care. Plans are also encouraged to include strategies to improve resilience to many hazards.

Plan for broadband in every community

Local plans must consider strategies to provide broadband for homes and businesses now and in the future. Planning commissions can get technical help from the Center for Innovative Technology.

Transportation plans aligned with state system

Each locality must include a transportation plan in its comprehensive plan. It lists needs across roads (by type), transit, bike and pedestrian routes, rail, bridges, ports, airports, waterways, and freight. The plan maps improvements and uses cost estimates from VDOT. It must match the Statewide Transportation Plan, the Six‑Year Improvement Program, and state highway routes, with VDOT consultation. Localities send plans to VDOT before adoption; VDOT comments in 90 days. After adoption, localities send a copy; the state board may act if it is inconsistent. Plans consider links to affordable, accessible housing and services for seniors and people with disabilities, and VDOT offers technical help. Updates follow the locality’s regular schedule.

Affordable housing must be planned

Local plans must set areas and actions to build, fix, and keep affordable homes. Plans aim to meet current and future needs at all income levels and consider the wider planning district.

Funds to bury utilities on transit routes

If a local plan names a corridor for mass transit, the locality can use some state‑related funds to put utilities underground there. The locality must match 100% of the state allocation. Eligible sources include the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority distribution, certain commercial and industrial property tax revenues, and the secondary system road construction program.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Shelly A. Simonds

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 162 • No: 58

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Local Government

Yes: 8 • No: 7

House vote 2/5/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 68 • No: 30

House vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns

Yes: 19 • No: 2

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0375)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 375 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB257ER)

    3/11/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/11/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/11/2026Senate
  9. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  10. Read third time

    3/4/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/3/2026Senate
  12. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  13. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  14. Reported from Local Government (8-Y 7-N)

    3/2/2026Senate
  15. Referred to Committee on Local Government

    2/6/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/6/2026Senate
  17. Read third time and passed House (68-Y 30-N 0-A)

    2/5/2026House
  18. Read second time and engrossed

    2/4/2026House
  19. Read first time

    2/3/2026House
  20. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (19-Y 2-N)

    1/30/2026House
  21. Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N)

    1/29/2026House
  22. Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3

    1/28/2026House
  23. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

    1/9/2026House
  24. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100530D

    1/9/2026House

Bill Text

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