VirginiaSB3032026 Regular SessionSenate

Suffolk, City of; amending charter, clarifying membership of city council.

Sponsored By: Emily M. Jordan (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Charter; City of Suffolk. Corrects an error in the existing charter of the City of Suffolk to clarify that the city council shall consist of eight members to reflect the addition of the directly elected mayor to the city council. The bill also removes obsolete language to clarify the appointment process and responsibilities of the city clerk. Finally, the bill updates language to reflect the city manager's direct responsibility for the department directors, consistent with the City of Suffolk's established management and reporting structure. This bill is identical to HB 940.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

City clerk term, pay, and records

The council appoints the city clerk. The first clerk served until July 1, 1974; after that, each term is four years. The clerk serves the council, keeps and authenticates the city’s seal, and is the default keeper of city records. You can inspect all records in the clerk’s office during regular business hours. The council sets the clerk’s pay. Any money the clerk collects goes to the city treasury. The clerk must also do other duties the charter or council assigns.

City council set at eight members

The charter sets the City of Suffolk council at eight members, as provided in related charter sections. This clarifies the official number of council seats.

City manager controls most department heads

Each city department has a director, and one person may lead more than one. The city manager appoints and can remove most directors; this does not apply to law, education, the city clerk, or the city assessor. The council may name the manager, deputy, or assistant manager to run one or more departments. Directors are chosen for executive skill and relevant education, training, and experience. These directors report to the city manager or the manager’s deputies and must give advice and make reports as required.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Emily M. Jordan

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 1

House vote 2/26/2026

Passed House

Yes: 96 • No: 1

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 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 (CHAP0244)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 244 (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 (SB303ER)

    3/2/2026Senate
  6. Enrolled

    3/2/2026Senate
  7. Signed by President

    3/2/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    3/2/2026House
  9. Passed House (96-Y 1-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026House
  10. Read third time

    2/26/2026House
  11. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    2/26/2026House
  12. Passed by for the day

    2/25/2026House
  13. Read second time

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

    2/20/2026House
  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

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation