HB1279Introduced in the House of Delegates
Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties.
Introduced by Joshua Cole, District 28
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
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 is identical to SB 388.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1096)
April 22, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
6 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
6 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (23-Y 16-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026
23
Yes
16
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | Absent |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | No |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | No |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
Bill history
Presented and ordered printed 26104765D
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 3-N)
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (13-Y 8-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendments agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (60-Y 36-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on Local Government
Reported from Local Government with substitute (9-Y 6-N)
Committee substitute printed 26109006D-S1
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Local Government Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 17-N 0-A)
Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 95-N 0-A)
Senate insisted on substitute (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate requested conference committee
House acceded to request
Conferees appointed by House
House Conferees:Cole, J.G., Helmer, Morefield
Conferees appointed by Senate
Senate Conferees: McPike, Aird, Reeves
Conference Report released
Conference report agreed to by Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A)
Conference report agreed to by House (54-Y 41-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1279ER)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Governor's recommendation received by House
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (62-Y 38-N 0-A)
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (23-Y 16-N 0-A)
Governor's recommendation adopted
Reenrolled bill text (HB1279ER2)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Approved by Governor-Chapter 1096 (Effective 1/1/2027)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1096)
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