VirginiaSB1272026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Chatham, Town of; amending charter, updating or removing outdated provisions.

Sponsored By: Tammy Brankley Mulchi (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

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 Amends the charter for the Town of Chatham in Pittsylvania County by updating or removing outdated provisions.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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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

17 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 11 mixed.

Pay caps for mayor and council

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.

Water, sewer, trash services and fees

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.

New building, zoning, and sewer rules

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.

Town projects and eminent domain powers

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.

Town taxes and borrowing need supermajority

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.

Town can spend for services

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.

Care and aid for vulnerable residents

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.

Stronger controls on town 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.

User fees for town facilities

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.

Tighter local rules on public behavior

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.

Town-run parks and cemetery services

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.

Home plumbing and hazardous materials rules

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.

Local business rules and inspections

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.

How the mayor and council operate

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.

Local police powers and enforcement tools

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.

Town can buy land for business

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.

New rules for utility lines and franchises

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.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tammy Brankley Mulchi

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

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

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0259)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 259 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB127ER)

    2/27/2026Senate
  6. Enrolled

    2/27/2026Senate
  7. Signed by President

    2/27/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    2/27/2026House
  9. Passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026House
  10. Read third time

    2/25/2026House
  11. Read second time

    2/24/2026House
  12. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)

    2/20/2026House
  13. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

    2/3/2026House
  14. Read first time

    2/3/2026House
  15. Placed on Calendar

    2/3/2026House
  16. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/22/2026Senate
  17. Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/21/2026Senate
  18. Local Government Amendments agreed to (Voice Vote)

    1/21/2026Senate
  19. Read second time

    1/21/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/20/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/20/2026Senate
  22. Rules suspended

    1/20/2026Senate
  23. Senate committee offered

    1/19/2026Senate
  24. Reported from Local Government with amendments (15-Y 0-N)

    1/19/2026Senate
  25. Referred to Committee on Local Government

    1/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

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