All Roll Calls
Yes: 220 • No: 0
Sponsored By: Lashrecse D. Aird (Democratic)
Became Law
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a town manager, (iii) shifting certain duties from an elected mayor to a town manager, and (iv) repealing numerous outdated provisions.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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6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lashrecse D. Aird
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
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
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0339)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 339 (effective 4/6/2026)
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 (SB281ER)
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)
Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)
Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1
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)
Chaptered
4/6/2026
Enrolled
2/27/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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