VirginiaHB5442026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

School Construction and Modernization, Commission on; revisions, elimination of sunset.

Sponsored By: Alex Q. Askew (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

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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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Deadlines for school facility data and plan

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.

State plan to modernize school buildings

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.

New rules for school construction commission

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.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Alex Q. Askew

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

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

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0165)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 165 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  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. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB544)

    3/10/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB544ER)

    3/10/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/10/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/10/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/10/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

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

    3/2/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/2/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Rules (14-Y 0-N)

    2/27/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on Rules

    2/4/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/4/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/3/2026House
  19. Read second time and engrossed

    2/2/2026House
  20. Passed by for the day

    1/30/2026House
  21. Read first time

    1/29/2026House
  22. Reported from Rules (18-Y 0-N)

    1/27/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB544)

    1/26/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)

    1/23/2026House
  25. Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee

    1/22/2026House

Bill Text

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