All Roll Calls
Yes: 258 • No: 86
Sponsored By: Aaron R. Rouse (Democratic)
Became Law
Charter; City of Virginia Beach. Amends the charter for the City of Virginia Beach to reflect the City's transition to a city council consisting solely of single-member districts and the mayor. This bill is identical to HB 187 and contains an emergency clause.
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City council elections take place in November of even-numbered years. Terms start on January 1 after the election. When filing, a candidate must say if they run at-large, from their district, or for mayor. Council candidates are nominated by petition as state law requires. The mayor is elected at the November general election to a four-year term and cannot run for any other seat. A council member who runs for mayor must resign at least 10 days before petition filing, effective December 31. A mayor who runs for a district seat must do the same. Any open term from such a resignation is filled at the same general election.
At the November 2024 election, voters elect the members for districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 and the mayor. Those seats are chosen citywide from residents of the Blackwater, Princess Anne, or Virginia Beach boroughs as they existed on January 1, 1995. These terms run from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028. In November 2026, voters elect members for districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Those terms run from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2030. After this transition, all council terms are four years.
The city now has 10 single-member council districts, numbered 1 through 10. Each district elects one council member. These district lines stay the same until redistricting after the 2030 U.S. census. The law also repeals a 2020 charter section tied to earlier election rules.
Aaron R. Rouse
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 258 • No: 86
House vote • 3/9/2026
House concurred in Governor's recommendation
Yes: 67 • No: 27 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation
Yes: 22 • No: 17
House vote • 2/16/2026
Passed House
Yes: 72 • No: 25 • Other: 1
House vote • 2/13/2026
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns
Yes: 17 • No: 4
Senate vote • 1/29/2026
Read third time and passed Senate
Yes: 27 • No: 13
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/27/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/27/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/26/2026
Reported from Local Government
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 27-N 1-A)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0009)
Reenrolled bill text (SB681ER2)
Reenrolled
Governor's recommendation adopted
Approved by Governor-Chapter 9 (Effective 3/9/2026)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 17-N 0-A)
Governor's recommendation received by Senate
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 05, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 26, 2026
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB681ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed House (72-Y 25-N 1-A)
Read third time
Read second time
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (17-Y 4-N)
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
Read first time
Placed on Calendar
Read third time and passed Senate (27-Y 13-N 0-A)
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Chaptered
3/9/2026
Reenrolled
3/9/2026
Gov Recommendation
3/4/2026
Enrolled
2/18/2026
Introduced
1/14/2026
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