All Roll Calls
Yes: 213 • No: 0
Sponsored By: Tammy Brankley Mulchi (Republican)
Became Law
Charter; Town of Chatham. Amends the charter for the Town of Chatham in Pittsylvania County by updating or removing outdated provisions. This bill is identical to HB 1050.
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17 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 11 mixed.
Council pay is capped at $600 per year per member. The mayor’s pay is capped at $1,200 per year. Pay is made monthly from the town treasury. The council may set the mayor’s salary in place of certain court fee income.
The town runs water, sewer, and refuse collection and disposal. It sets and enforces rates and can charge reasonable fees for these services. It can require a deposit before turning on service and bill owners or tenants who receive service. Households get organized services but must pay town rates and any required deposits.
The town requires some properties that border a town sewer line to connect and pay reasonable connection and user fees. It sets fire and building safety rules and can remove unsafe buildings. It sets zoning and building codes that control what can be built and how. It can order nuisance cleanup and collect the costs from owners or occupants. These rules improve safety and order but can add compliance and cleanup costs.
The town can build and maintain streets, sidewalks, parks, bridges, sewers, and other public works. It can require railroad gates or flagmen at crossings for safety. It can acquire, sell, or lease property and use condemnation to get land or easements needed for public improvements. Owners may see better infrastructure but also face land takings under state rules.
The town can raise revenue, levy special assessments on property for local projects, and borrow money. To levy any tax or contract town debt, the council needs a two‑thirds vote. Four votes count as two‑thirds, and the vote is recorded by yeas and nays. These rules shape when taxes, assessments, or new debt affect your bills.
The town can spend its funds for any lawful municipal purpose. This supports local services, capital projects, and other town needs as allowed by law.
The town can provide or fund care for children, sick people, seniors, and poor residents. It can also support organizations that deliver this care when the council finds it necessary. Help depends on town decisions and available money.
The council appoints a bonded treasurer every two years and may name a collector for taxes and utility charges. The treasurer must deposit funds in council‑named banks, keep town money separate, and never use it for personal gain. All money is recorded and paid only on a clerk’s warrant countersigned by the mayor. The treasurer’s books are open for inspection and must be reported on when the council asks. The council sets the treasurer’s pay and may assign other lawful duties.
The town charges fees for permits to use public facilities and for public services and privileges. It can set different rates for nonresidents than for town residents. People who use town facilities or services pay these fees.
The town can keep minors out of poolrooms, billiard parlors, and bowling alleys and punish owners who allow them. It can restrain and punish drunkards, vagrants, street beggars, and suppress gambling and houses of ill fame, with expulsion for people who have not lived in town for 12 months. It can bar people without visible means of support from entering and expel such newcomers who have been in town less than 12 months. People jailed for misdemeanors under town law can be required to work on public streets or parks.
The town can run parks and pools outside town limits and charge admission or rent. It can sell cemetery lots and hold perpetual-care funds, using investment income for upkeep. These services add options for families, but users may pay admission, rental, or lot fees.
The town sets and enforces rules for plumbing, heating, and gas installations on private and public property. It also controls where explosives and combustibles are stored and regulates sales and use of fireworks and similar materials. These rules improve safety but can add permit and installation costs and limit where hazardous materials are kept or used.
The town sets rules for markets and the sale of foods and goods. It inspects and licenses scales, meters, and measures used by businesses. It licenses and can restrict locations for circuses, fairs, and public shows. Businesses face permits and inspections, while shoppers get accuracy and safety protections.
The council holds town powers and can pass ordinances consistent with state law. The mayor leads meetings and breaks ties, a vice-mayor fills in when needed, and four members (mayor can count) make a quorum. The council meets at least monthly, can call special meetings, and can judge members, fill vacancies, and expel with a two‑thirds vote. Town elections follow state law: the mayor is elected every two years; six council members serve four-year staggered terms starting January 1 after election. Penal ordinances must be published before taking effect, but declared emergencies take effect immediately. The mayor can investigate and temporarily suspend officers until the next regular council meeting.
The town runs a police department, hires a chief and officers, and sets their pay and rules. Officers can arrest for crimes, serve warrants, and the mayor, council, and police have police powers one mile beyond town limits. The town can set penalties for rule violations up to state limits, seek court orders to stop violations, and offer money rewards for tips that lead to convictions. It can also punish vandalism and malicious damage to public or private property.
The town can buy up to 500 acres at a time, inside or outside town, to support commerce or manufacturing. It can sell or lease that land to businesses. This may shape local development and property values.
The town can grant public utility franchises under state law. It can regulate poles, wires, and pipes in streets, charge annual fees, require relocations, and require new wires to be placed underground. The town can also buy and run quarries and pits to supply materials for town projects. These steps can improve safety and reduce town project costs, but may raise utility construction costs or affect nearby residents.
Tammy Brankley Mulchi
Republican • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 213 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2026
Passed House Block Vote
Yes: 97 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2026
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns
Yes: 21 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/22/2026
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/21/2026
Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/21/2026
Local Government Amendments agreed to (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/20/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/20/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/19/2026
Reported from Local Government with amendments
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0259)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 259 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB127ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read third time
Read second time
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
Read first time
Placed on Calendar
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Local Government Amendments agreed to (Voice Vote)
Read second time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Senate committee offered
Reported from Local Government with amendments (15-Y 0-N)
Referred to Committee on Local Government
Chaptered
4/6/2026
Enrolled
2/27/2026
Amendment
1/21/2026
Engrossed
1/21/2026
Amendment
1/20/2026
Introduced
1/6/2026
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