HB447Introduced in the House of Delegates
Local government or board of zoning appeals land use decisions; third-party standing requirements.
Introduced by Marcus Simon, District 13
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Contesting local governing body or board of zoning appeals land use decisions; third-party standing requirements. Creates standing for any person who does not have an ownership interest in the property that is the direct subject of a local governing body or board of zoning appeals action if such person has alleged with particularity and proven by clear and convincing evidence that he (i) has an immediate, pecuniary, and substantial interest in the litigation, and not a remote or indirect interest; (ii) owns or occupies real property within or in close proximity to the property that is the subject of the land use determination; and (iii) has suffered (a) a particularized harm to a personal or property right, legal or equitable, or (b) an imposition of a burden or obligation different from that suffered by the general public. The bill clarifies that such standing requirements do not apply to any person who has an ownership interest in the property that is the direct subject of the decision of the local governing body or the board of zoning appeals.
Where it stands
Continued pursuant to House Rule 22 to 2027 in Courts of Justice
February 16, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of DelegatesStage: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (13-Y 8-N) · February 13, 2026
13
Yes
8
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
22 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates 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 delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | No |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Marcus Simon | 13 | Yes |
| Vivian Watts | 14 | No |
| Michelle Maldonado | 20 | No |
| Atoosa Reaser | 27 | Yes |
| Justin Pence | 33 | No |
| Will Davis | 39 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102160D
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
Referred from Counties, Cities and Towns and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 4-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (13-Y 8-N)
Committee substitute printed 26107930D-H1
Read first time
Motion to rerefer to Courts of Justice agreed to
Rereferred to Courts of Justice
Continued pursuant to House Rule 22 to 2027 in Courts of Justice
Verify the information
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