# Virginia HB878: Affordable housing; purchase of development rights.

Virginia HB878, Affordable housing; purchase of development rights., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by David L. Bulova (Democratic); status failed, last action 2024-11-19 (Left in General Laws and Technology) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB878-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB878
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Affordable housing; purchase of development rights.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2024-01-09
- Last action: 2024-11-19, Left in General Laws and Technology
- Sponsor: David L. Bulova (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 6 (175 yes, 22 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Purchase of development rights for affordable housing. Permits any local government to purchase development rights or accept the donation of development rights in an effort to preserve and provide affordable housing. The bill grants local governments the powers necessary to carry out the purchase of such development rights. The bill prohibits the conversion or diversion of such affordable housing once the development rights are purchased unless the local government determines that such diversion is essential to the development and growth of the locality and in accordance with the locality's comprehensive plan.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: David L. Bulova (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-28 | Senate | Continued to 2025 in General Laws and Technology | pass | 15 | 0 |   |
| 2024-02-20 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2024-02-19 | Senate | Reported from Local Government with amendments | pass | 9 | 6 |   |
| 2024-02-01 | House | VOTE: Passage | pass | 85 | 15 |   |
| 2024-01-26 | House | Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns | pass | 19 | 1 |   |
| 2024-01-25 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting | pass | 8 | 0 |   |

## Actions (25)

- 2024-11-19: Left in General Laws and Technology (Senate)
- 2024-02-28: Continued to 2025 in General Laws and Technology (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2024-02-23: Rereferred to General Laws and Technology (Senate)
- 2024-02-23: Motion to rerefer to committee agreed to (Senate)
- 2024-02-23: Read third time (Senate)
- 2024-02-22: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2024-02-22: Committee amendments agreed to (Senate)
- 2024-02-22: Reading of amendments waived (Senate)
- 2024-02-22: Read third time (Senate)
- 2024-02-21: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2024-02-21: Read third time (Senate)
- 2024-02-20: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2024-02-19: Reported from Local Government with amendments (9-Y 6-N) (Senate)
- 2024-02-19: Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered (Senate)
- 2024-02-02: Referred to Committee on Local Government (Senate)
- 2024-02-02: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2024-02-01: VOTE: Passage (85-Y 15-N) (House)
- 2024-02-01: Read third time and passed House (85-Y 15-N) (House)
- 2024-01-31: Read second time and engrossed (House)
- 2024-01-30: Read first time (House)
- 2024-01-26: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (19-Y 1-N) (House)
- 2024-01-25: Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2024-01-23: Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2 (House)
- 2024-01-09: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns (House)
- 2024-01-09: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24104341D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-01-30: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB878)
- Amendment: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB878)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB878)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB878-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).