VirginiaSB1792026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Williamsburg, City of; amending charter, change of municipal elections.

Sponsored By: J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

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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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger collection for unpaid city taxes

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.

Annual July 1 property assessments

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.

New schedule for council elections

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.

City finance and purchasing centralized

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.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • J.D. "Danny" Diggs

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

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

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0170)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 170 (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 (SB179ER)

    2/18/2026Senate
  6. Enrolled

    2/18/2026Senate
  7. Signed by President

    2/18/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    2/18/2026House
  9. Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/16/2026House
  10. Read third time

    2/16/2026House
  11. Read second time

    2/15/2026House
  12. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)

    2/13/2026House
  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 Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/21/2026Senate
  18. Read second time

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

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

    1/20/2026Senate
  21. Passed by for the day

    1/20/2026Senate
  22. Rules suspended

    1/20/2026Senate
  23. Reported from Local Government (15-Y 0-N)

    1/19/2026Senate
  24. Introduced bill reprinted 26102226D

    1/9/2026Senate
  25. Referred to Committee on Local Government

    1/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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