All Roll Calls
Yes: 214 • No: 0
Sponsored By: J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican)
Became Law
Charter; City of Williamsburg. Amends the charter for the City of Williamsburg to reflect the change of municipal elections from May to November as required by general law. The bill also replaces numerous references to "director of finance" with "chief financial officer" and clarifies language related to the transfer of unencumbered appropriated balances between funds. This bill is identical to HB 552.
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A city tax collector, supervised by the CFO, collects all money owed to the city. Unpaid city taxes create a lien on real estate from the start of the tax year, ahead of other liens. The collector can seize and sell goods and chattels for unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties. The finance department now handles the treasurer’s collection and disbursement duties unless the manager and treasurer agree in writing otherwise.
Williamsburg now values all real estate at fair market value each year as of July 1. The city manager appoints the city assessor, who runs the assessment division under the CFO. These values are used to set property tax bills. The city council funds the assessment office.
Williamsburg now uses a staggered, four-year cycle for city council elections. Two seats are elected in 2026 and every four years after. Three seats are elected in 2028 and every four years after. Elections occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of those years. Terms start January 1 after the election, and the council continues so pending measures do not end when members leave.
Williamsburg creates a unified finance department led by a chief financial officer (CFO) appointed by the city manager. The CFO audits bills before payment, keeps custody of city and school funds, and files monthly reports by the 10th of each month. A Division of Accounting encumbers purchase orders, payroll, and contracts against budgets to prevent overspending. A Purchasing Division checks that money is available and uses competition rules before buying. The city manager can move unspent funds within a department and must report quarterly; the council can move funds between departments by resolution.
J.D. "Danny" Diggs
Republican • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 214 • No: 0
House vote • 2/16/2026
Passed House Block Vote
Yes: 98 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2026
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 Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/20/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (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 • 1/19/2026
Reported from Local Government
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0170)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 170 (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 (SB179ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed House Block Vote (98-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 Block Vote (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)
Passed by for the day
Rules suspended
Reported from Local Government (15-Y 0-N)
Introduced bill reprinted 26102226D
Referred to Committee on Local Government
Chaptered
4/6/2026
Enrolled
2/18/2026
Introduced
1/9/2026
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