VirginiaHB3882026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Powers of service districts; control of invasive plant species.

Sponsored By: Katrina Callsen (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Powers of service districts; control of invasive plant species. Allows a service district created within a locality to control the spread of any plant that is identified on the list of invasive plant species established by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This bill is identical to SB 89.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Front Royal rat control, Wallops park

In Front Royal, the town can run programs and use equipment to control, remove, and prevent rat infestations within its service district. In Accomack County, the county can build and run infrastructure and amenities at Wallops Research Park to support aerospace access to the NASA/Wallops runway. The law creates a partnership body with named public and federal members, and federal appointees must keep their duties to the U.S. government.

Last-mile broadband in unserved areas

Localities can hire private broadband providers to build and own last‑mile networks in project areas where fewer than 10% of homes and businesses can get service at approval. Broadband means over 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. The housing and community development department may change the percentage or speeds by guideline.

Stronger local tools to run services

Service districts can build and run public facilities and control state-listed invasive plants. They can hire staff and sign contracts with private firms, cities, and state agencies. They may negotiate connection deals for systems now or built later. Any VDOT-run transportation work must involve the local board and meet VDOT rules. Contracts cannot pledge a locality’s general taxes or full faith and credit, and work cannot mainly aid one private business.

Required hookups to district systems

If your property is inside a service district, the district can require you to connect to its systems. This can mean one-time hookup fees and ongoing service charges. You or your landlord can appeal to circuit court, but you must file within 10 days of the district’s action.

New district taxes and road funds

Districts can charge an annual property tax inside the district to pay for district services and facilities. Money must be kept and spent in the district and cannot fund schools, police, or other unrelated services. The tax may use full assessed value if the owner agrees in writing. Districts can set aside property tax proceeds for road work and must publish a yearly statement showing amounts saved. In Virginia Beach, council can add up to a 5% tax on base transient room rentals for beach and shoreline work.

Property, funding, and open-space rules

Service districts can buy facilities, equipment, and property rights to deliver services. They can accept outside money, like grants or reimbursements, to help pay costs. Local boards can create or end a development board to manage district work and funds. For open space, districts must use voluntary deals for rights of at least five years, and condemnation is not allowed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Katrina Callsen

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 302 • No: 14

House vote 2/27/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 91 • No: 5

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Local Government Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • 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 with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/5/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 90 • No: 8

House vote 1/30/2026

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

Yes: 20 • No: 1

House vote 1/30/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0129)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 129 (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 (HB388ER)

    3/4/2026House
  6. Enrolled

    3/4/2026House
  7. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  9. Senate substitute agreed to by House (91-Y 5-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026Senate
  11. Local Government Substitute agreed to

    2/25/2026Senate
  12. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    2/25/2026Senate
  13. Read third time

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

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

    2/24/2026Senate
  16. Rules suspended

    2/24/2026Senate
  17. Committee substitute printed 26108412D-S1

    2/23/2026Senate
  18. Reported from Local Government with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

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

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

    2/6/2026Senate
  21. Read third time and passed House (90-Y 8-N 0-A)

    2/5/2026House
  22. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/4/2026House
  23. committee amendment agreed to

    2/4/2026House
  24. Read second time

    2/4/2026House
  25. Read first time

    2/3/2026House

Bill Text

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