All Roll Calls
Yes: 214 • No: 0
Sponsored By: Alex Q. Askew (Democratic)
Became Law
Commission on School Construction and Modernization; revisions; elimination of sunset. Eliminates the expiration date of the Commission on School Construction and Modernization, which, pursuant to current law, is set to expire on July 1, 2026. The bill also directs the Commission to (i) meet at least four times each year and post notice of the date, time, and location of each meeting on the central, publicly available electronic calendar maintained by the Commonwealth in accordance with applicable law; (ii) update annually the statewide needs estimate for construction and modernization of school facilities; (iii) develop and deliver by November 1, 2026, a 10-year capital roadmap; and (iv) collaborate with early childhood care and education Ready Regions and comprehensive community colleges in the Commonwealth to collect and evaluate data relating to Ready Region and comprehensive community college facility usage, availability, and needs. Finally, the bill directs the Department of Education, in order to assist the Commission with its work, to update and make available to the Commission an inventory of all public school facilities in the Commonwealth by September 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 498.
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3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
The Department of Education must update and share an inventory of all public school facilities by September 1, 2026. The Commission must deliver its 10-year capital roadmap to the General Assembly by November 1, 2026. These deadlines give state leaders current data and a dated plan for school construction priorities.
The Commission assesses all public school buildings and estimates funding needs for construction and upgrades. It reviews ways to pay for these projects and sends options to the Governor and General Assembly. It sets best practices, standard designs, and buying methods that local divisions can use. It lists cost-saving steps to help districts lower project costs. It updates the statewide needs estimate each year and prepares a 10-year roadmap that uses current and projected enrollment. It works with Ready Regions and community colleges to spot underused spaces and facility needs.
The Commission must meet at least four times each year. A majority of members is a quorum, and meetings can be called by the chair or by a member majority. It must post each meeting’s date, time, and place on the Commonwealth’s public calendar. A recommendation fails if most Senate appointees or most House appointees vote against it and vote to block it. The Commission must file an annual report and an executive summary by the first day of each regular session, posted online. The law repeals Section 30-390, so its rules no longer apply.
Alex Q. Askew
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 214 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Passed Senate Block Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Reported from Rules
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
Read third time and passed House Block Vote
Yes: 98 • No: 0
House vote • 1/27/2026
Reported from Rules
Yes: 18 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0165)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 165 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB544)
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB544ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read third time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Reported from Rules (14-Y 0-N)
Referred to Committee on Rules
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read second time and engrossed
Passed by for the day
Read first time
Reported from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB544)
Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)
Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee
Chaptered
4/6/2026
Enrolled
3/10/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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