# Virginia HB505: Counties, cities, & towns; members of governing body, continuing personal interest in transactions.

Virginia HB505, Counties, cities, & towns; members of governing body, continuing personal interest in transactions., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by John Chilton McAuliff (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-22 (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (19-Y 19-N 0-A)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB505-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB505
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Counties, cities, & towns; members of governing body, continuing personal interest in transactions.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-12
- Last action: 2026-04-22, Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (19-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Sponsor: John Chilton McAuliff (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 14 (376 yes, 254 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 5

## Summary

Local government; certain towns; suspension of officers, study, remedial plan, and meeting requirements. Provides that any member of a governing body in any locality, who has been employed by any governmental agency that is a component part of and that is subject to the ultimate control of the governing body of which he is a member, is deemed to have continuing personal interest in that agency for a period of two years following the termination of such employment. The bill also requires the court, in a criminal proceeding against an officer of any town in Planning District 8 with a population between 8,000 and 10,000 alleging the commission of a felony offense, to enter an order suspending the officer pending the resolution of such proceeding and any related proceeding for the officer's removal. The bill requires any such town to also procure a study by a public institution of higher education to evaluate the condition and status of the town's debt, infrastructure, utilities, and other significant liability risks. Such town is required to adopt a plan consistent with the study to address such town's needs, as identified in the study, in a fiscally appropriate manner that does not jeopardize the town's bond rating. The bill also prohibits the town council of any such town from voting on matters that have not been properly published at least three days prior to the vote as part of a town council agenda or otherwise approved as additional agenda items or as amendments to existing agenda items by a three-fourths vote of all the members of the council at the start of the meeting. The bill requires that any full-time town manager of such town must be a resident of the Commonwealth unless the town council has waived such requirement by a majority vote. This bill is identical to SB 648.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Former employees face longer conflict rules: cost, low. Beginning April 22, 2026, local governing body members keep a legal personal interest in their former agency for two years. The two years start when their employment ends. This applies when the agency is part of, and under the ultimate control of, that governing body. The rule affects how conflict-…
- Full-time town managers must live in Virginia: cost, low. Beginning April 22, 2026, full-time town managers in covered towns must live in Virginia. This applies to Planning District 8 towns with 8,000–10,000 residents in the latest U.S. decennial census. The town council can waive the residency rule by majority vote. The rule expires July 1, 2028.
- Town councils face stronger resident oversight: mixed, low. Beginning April 22, 2026, covered town councils may vote only on agenda matters published at least three days earlier. This covers Planning District 8 towns with 8,000–10,000 residents in the latest U.S. decennial census. At the meeting's start, three-fourths of all council members may approve adde…
- Town officers face suspension over felonies: mixed, low. Beginning April 22, 2026, courts must suspend town officers facing criminal proceedings that allege a felony. This applies in Planning District 8 towns with 8,000–10,000 residents in the latest U.S. decennial census. Suspension lasts pending resolution of the criminal case and any related proceedin…
- Towns must study risks and plan: mixed, low. Beginning April 22, 2026, covered towns must arrange a study of debt, infrastructure, utilities, and other major liability risks. This covers Planning District 8 towns with 8,000–10,000 residents in the latest U.S. decennial census. A public college or university with at least 15,000 students must…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: John Chilton McAuliff (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-22 | House | House concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 69 | 31 |   |
| 2026-04-22 | Senate | Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 19 | 19 |   |
| 2026-03-13 | Senate | Conference report agreed to by Senate | pass | 21 | 18 |   |
| 2026-03-12 | House | Conference report agreed to by House | pass | 69 | 29 |   |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate insisted on amendments Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-04 | House | Senate substitute rejected by House | fail | 0 | 94 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Passed Senate with substitute | pass | 23 | 17 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-26 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-26 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | Senate | Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute | pass | 11 | 4 |   |
| 2026-02-17 | House | Read third time and passed House | pass | 63 | 34 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | House | Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute | pass | 13 | 8 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 8 | 0 |   |

## Actions (53)

- 2026-04-22: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (19-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: House concurred in Governor's recommendation (69-Y 31-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-04-22: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1056) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Reenrolled bill text (HB505ER2) (House)
- 2026-04-22: Reenrolled (House)
- 2026-04-22: Approved by Governor-Chapter 1056 (effective 4/22/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-04-22: Governor's recommendation adopted (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Governor's recommendation received by House (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (House)
- 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-13: Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Conference report agreed to by House (69-Y 29-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-11: Conference Report released
- 2026-03-10: Conferees appointed by Senate (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Senate Conferees: Rouse, Perry, Bennett-Parker (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: House Conferees: McAuliff, Reid, Cherry (House)
- 2026-03-09: Conferees appointed by House (House)
- 2026-03-09: House acceded to request (House)
- 2026-03-06: Senate insisted on amendments Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Senate requested conference committee (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 94-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-02: Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 17-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Read third time (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Committee substitute printed 26108616D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (11-Y 4-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed House (63-Y 34-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-16: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-15: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-13: Committee substitute printed 26107972D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-13: Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (13-Y 8-N) (House)
- 2026-02-12: House committee offered (House)
- 2026-02-09: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-02-09: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-06: Assigned HPE sub: Election Administration (House)
- 2026-01-12: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections (House)
- 2026-01-12: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103307D (House)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225221.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225220.PDF)
- Reenrolled, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219984.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219983.PDF)
- Gov Recommendation, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219353.HTML)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213623.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213622.PDF)
- Conference Report, 2026-03-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206675.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-03-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206671.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206670.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-25: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181379.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181384.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181378.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181383.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145813.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145812.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145562.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145561.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135436.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135468.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135435.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135467.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084706.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084705.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225221.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225220.PDF)
- [Reenrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219984.HTML)
- [Reenrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219983.PDF)
- [Gov Recommendation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219353.HTML)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213623.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213622.PDF)
- [Conference Report (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206675.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206671.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206670.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181379.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181384.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181378.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181383.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145813.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145812.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145562.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145561.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135436.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135468.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135435.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135467.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084706.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084705.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB505-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).