VirginiaSB2812026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Waverly, Town of; amending charter, transitioning town government.

Sponsored By: Lashrecse D. Aird (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Charter; Town of Waverly; emergency. Amends the charter for the Town of Waverly in Sussex County by transitioning the town from a strong mayor form of government to a council-manager form of government. Additional changes to the charter in the bill include (i) shifting town council elections from May to November, (ii) appointing a town manager, (iii) shifting certain duties from an elected mayor to a town manager, and (iv) repealing numerous outdated provisions. The bill contains an emergency clause.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

How council meetings run and who leads

The mayor enforces town laws and leads council meetings, voting only to break a tie. If the mayor is absent or disabled, the vice mayor acts; if both are unavailable, the council picks another member to preside and may pay reasonable compensation for acting duties. Meetings are open to the public, except when a recorded four-fifths vote says secrecy is needed or when closed sessions are allowed by state law.

Oaths and records for town officials

The mayor and town sergeant must take the state officer’s oath. All other town officers must swear to do their duties faithfully. The person giving the oath must make two certificates: one filed with the council clerk and one filed with the Sussex County circuit court clerk.

Police services options and powers

The town may appoint the Sussex County Sheriff as town sergeant and contract for police services. Or, the town may create its own police force under the mayor or town manager. Town police officers are conservators of the peace with the powers of a constable in criminal cases under state law.

Pay rules for mayor and council

Council members may receive monthly stipends, and the council may set larger stipends for the mayor and vice mayor. The law says the mayor and vice mayor receive no salary. It also says the council sets any mayor’s salary and cannot cut that salary during the mayor’s term.

New rules for Waverly mayor and council

The town government now consists of a mayor and five council members. Council members are elected by Waverly voters. Terms are two years and begin on January 1 after the election. Beginning with the November 2026 general election, voters no longer elect the mayor; the town council chooses the mayor and vice mayor at its first meeting for two-year terms. The law also repeals old charter sections to put these changes in place.

Town manager runs daily operations

The town council appoints a town manager to run day-to-day operations and manage town departments and property. The manager hires, supervises, and can discipline town employees, prepares the annual budget, and may be full or part time. The manager may also serve as town clerk if the council chooses. Most appointed staff terms end when the council’s term ends, but Planning Commission members do not automatically end then.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lashrecse D. Aird

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 220 • 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

House vote 2/20/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 7 • 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 (CHAP0339)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 339 (effective 4/6/2026)

    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 (SB281ER)

    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. Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

    2/20/2026House
  14. Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1

    2/17/2026House
  15. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

    2/3/2026House
  16. Read first time

    2/3/2026House
  17. Placed on Calendar

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

    1/22/2026Senate
  19. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/21/2026Senate
  20. Read second time

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

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

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

    1/20/2026Senate
  24. Rules suspended

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

    1/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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