HB1238Introduced in the House of Delegates
Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.
Introduced by Irene Shin, District 8
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Local ordinances; regulation of pet shops. Authorizes the governing body of any locality to, by ordinance, regulate or prohibit the sale of animals in a pet shop. Such ordinance may distinguish between certain types of pet shops and include provisions for special licensing, inspections, reporting, restrictions, or prohibitions on the sale of certain types of animals. The bill also includes certain existing statewide provisions related to pet shops in the list of sections for which a locality may adopt parallel or more stringent ordinances. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.
Where it stands
Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N)
February 24, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N) · February 24, 2026
11
Yes
3
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
15 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Tammy Brankley Mulchi | 9 | Yes |
| Angelia Williams Graves | 21 | Yes |
| Richard Stuart | 25 | Absent |
| Danica Roem | 30 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103643D
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture
Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
House committee offered
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendments agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (58-Y 36-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Assigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals
Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N)
Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N)
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