# Virginia SB388: Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties. Virginia SB388, Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Jeremy S. McPike (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-22 (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (62-Y 36-N 0-A)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB388-2026 - As of: 2026-10-12 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Virginia SB388 - State: Virginia - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties. - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2026-01-13 - Last action: 2026-04-22, House concurred in Governor's recommendation (62-Y 36-N 0-A) - Sponsor: Jeremy S. McPike (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 0 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 14 (342 yes, 216 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 6 ## Summary Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties. Allows for the administrative approval of development and construction of housing on land owned by property tax-exempt religious organizations or certain property tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and provides that zoning ordinances shall allow the by-right development and construction of housing on real property owned by such organizations, subject to various conditions and limitations. The bill provides that the review of such developments be completed pursuant to general law and states that localities shall not require a special exception, special use permit, conditional use permit, rezoning, or any discretionary review or approval process. The bill requires that at least 60 percent of the housing development's total units be for affordable housing and that the housing development remain affordable for at least 30 years. The bill also provides that all such housing is subject to local real property taxation following completion, unless explicitly exempted by the locality. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, and expires on January 1, 2031. This bill incorporates SB 367 and is identical to HB 1279. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Localities can enforce single-family occupancy limits: cost, low. From January 1, 2027, until January 1, 2031, Virginia local zoning rules can provide for enforcing existing single-family occupancy limits. These rules limit how many people can live in a single-family home. Enforcement must follow local, state, and federal fair housing laws. This provision does no… - Property applicants may need to clear liens: cost, low. From January 1, 2027, until January 1, 2031, Virginia localities can require payment of delinquent property liens. Applicants can be required to show payment before starting a land-use application or receiving final approval. Covered debts include property taxes, nuisance charges, stormwater fees,… - Landowners trade density for tax credits: mixed, medium. From January 1, 2027, until January 1, 2031, Virginia localities can offer landowners voluntary agreements to reduce allowed development. Only undeveloped or underdeveloped property qualifies. In exchange for reducing allowed density or use intensity, landowners can receive a real estate tax credit… - Nonprofits gain housing rights with affordability rules: mixed, medium. From January 1, 2027, until January 1, 2031, qualifying tax-exempt religious groups and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can build housing without rezoning or discretionary legislative approval. They must have owned the land continuously for five years before applying. At least 60% of homes must stay affordabl… - Solar projects face local safety standards: mixed, low. From January 1, 2027, until January 1, 2031, Virginia local zoning rules can adopt national standards for solar projects. These must be generally accepted environmental-protection or product-safety standards for solar panels and batteries used in those projects. The standards add safety protections… - Development faces environmental checks and cleanup: mixed, low. From January 1, 2027, until January 1, 2031, Virginia localities can require environmental checks for subdivision or development proposals. They can require a Phase I site assessment based on the property's planned use. A Phase II assessment can be required only when the first assessment shows it i… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Jeremy S. McPike (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-04-22 | House | House concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 62 | 36 | | | 2026-04-22 | Senate | Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 21 | 18 | | | 2026-03-14 | House | Conference report agreed to by House | pass | 55 | 40 | | | 2026-03-13 | Senate | Conference report agreed to by Senate | pass | 21 | 17 | | | 2026-03-04 | Senate | Senate acceded to request Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 | | | 2026-02-27 | Senate | Counties, Cities and Towns Amendment rejected by Senate | fail | 0 | 38 | | | 2026-02-25 | House | Passed House with amendments | pass | 61 | 37 | | | 2026-02-20 | House | Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) | pass | 13 | 8 | | | 2026-02-11 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 21 | 18 | | | 2026-02-10 | Senate | Local Government Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-10 | Senate | Reading of amendment waived (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-03 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 39 | 0 | | | 2026-02-03 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-02 | Senate | Reported from Local Government with substitute | pass | 9 | 4 | 1 | ## Actions (59) - 2026-04-22: House concurred in Governor's recommendation (62-Y 36-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-04-22: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-04-22: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1009) (Governor) - 2026-04-22: Reenrolled bill text (SB388ER2) (Senate) - 2026-04-22: Approved by Governor-Chapter 1009 (Effective 1/1/2027) (Governor) - 2026-04-22: Signed by President (Senate) - 2026-04-22: Signed by Speaker (House) - 2026-04-22: Governor's recommendation adopted (Governor) - 2026-04-13: Governor's recommendation received by Senate (Governor) - 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor) - 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (Senate) - 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House) - 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB388ER) (Senate) - 2026-03-30: Enrolled (Senate) - 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate) - 2026-03-14: Conference report agreed to by House (55-Y 40-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-03-13: Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-03-13: Conference Report released - 2026-03-06: House Conferees: Cole, J.G., Helmer, Morefield (House) - 2026-03-06: Conferees appointed by House (House) - 2026-03-04: Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Senate Conferees: McPike, Aird, Reeves (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Conferees appointed by Senate (Senate) - 2026-03-02: House requested conference committee (House) - 2026-03-02: House insisted on amendments (House) - 2026-02-27: Counties, Cities and Towns Amendment rejected by Senate (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Passed House with amendments (61-Y 37-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-02-25: Engrossed by House as amended (House) - 2026-02-25: committee amendments agreed to (House) - 2026-02-25: Read third time (House) - 2026-02-24: Read second time (House) - 2026-02-20: House committee offered (House) - 2026-02-20: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (13-Y 8-N) (House) - 2026-02-17: Read first time (House) - 2026-02-17: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns (House) - 2026-02-17: Placed on Calendar (House) - 2026-02-11: Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Floor offered (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Amendments by Senator agreed to (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Reading of amendment waived (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Local Government Substitute agreed to (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Read second time (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Read second time (Senate) - 2026-02-09: Passed by for the day (Senate) - 2026-02-06: Passed by for the day (Senate) - 2026-02-05: Passed by for the day (Senate) - 2026-02-04: Passed by for the day (Senate) - 2026-02-04: Read second time (Senate) - 2026-02-03: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-02-03: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-02-03: Passed by for the day (Senate) - 2026-02-03: Rules suspended (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Committee substitute printed 26106860D-S1 (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Senate committee offered (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Reported from Local Government with substitute (9-Y 4-N 1-A) (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Incorporates SB367 (Carroll Foy) (Senate) - 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Local Government (Senate) - 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105088D (Senate) ## Bill text - Chaptered, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225119.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225118.PDF) - Reenrolled, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220882.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220881.PDF) - Gov Recommendation, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219594.HTML) - Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214550.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214549.PDF) - Conference Report, 2026-03-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1210837.HTML) - Amendment, 2026-02-25: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181372.HTML) - Amendment, 2026-02-20: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171455.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171202.HTML) - Amendment, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138312.HTML) - Engrossed, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138357.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138356.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-02-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1107882.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105669.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1107881.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105668.PDF) - Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089890.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089889.PDF) ## Related bills - HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed) - SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed) - HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed) - HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed) - HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed) - HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed) ## Sources - [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225119.HTML) - [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225118.PDF) - [Reenrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220882.HTML) - [Reenrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220881.PDF) - [Gov Recommendation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219594.HTML) - [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214550.HTML) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214549.PDF) - [Conference Report (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1210837.HTML) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181372.HTML) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171455.HTML) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171202.HTML) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138312.HTML) - [Engrossed (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138357.HTML) - [Engrossed (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138356.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1107882.HTML) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105669.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1107881.PDF) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105668.PDF) - [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089890.HTML) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089889.PDF) ## Related - [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026) - [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026) - [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026) - [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026) - [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026) - [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026) - [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills) - [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB388-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).