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HB168Introduced in the House of Delegates

Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts.

Passed

Introduced by Alex Askew, District 95

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts. Requires every locality with a population of 400,000 or greater to elect the members of its governing body by individual single-member districts. The bill provides that a governing body's presiding officer may be elected at large. The bill further provides that any such governing body that does not already meet the requirements of the bill shall establish the required districts and shall reapportion the representation in the governing body in accordance with general law. Finally, the bill provides that for any such governing body that, prior to 2026, adopted an ordinance with a map to elect its members by individual single-member districts, such ordinance shall become effective upon the effective date of this act. This bill is identical to SB 51 and contains an emergency clause.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0010)

March 10, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 18-N 0-A) · March 10, 2026

22

Yes

18

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

40 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

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3No
David Suetterlein4Yes
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103668D

  2. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB168)

  4. Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3

  5. House subcommittee offered

  6. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 1-N)

  7. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (15-Y 4-N)

  8. Committee substitute printed 26105950D-H1

  9. Read first time

  10. Read second time

  11. committee substitute agreed to

  12. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  13. Read third time and passed House (75-Y 24-N 0-A)

  14. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  15. Referred to Committee on Local Government

  16. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB168)

  17. Reported from Local Government with substitute (9-Y 6-N)

  18. Senate committee offered

  19. Committee substitute printed 26108414D-S1

  20. Rules suspended

  21. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  22. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  23. Read third time

  24. Local Government Substitute agreed to

  25. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  26. Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 17-N 0-A)

  27. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB168)

  28. Senate substitute agreed to by House (66-Y 30-N 0-A)

  29. Enrolled

  30. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB168ER)

  31. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 04, 2026

  32. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 11, 2026

  33. Governor's recommendation received by House

  34. Signed by Speaker

  35. Signed by President

  36. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB168)

  37. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 30-N 0-A)

  38. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

  39. Governor's recommendation adopted

  40. Reenrolled

  41. Reenrolled bill text (HB168ER2)

  42. Signed by Speaker

  43. Signed by President

  44. Approved by Governor - Chapter 10 (effective - 3/10/2026)

  45. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0010)

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