Bill
Bill > HB168
summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
02/23/2026
02/23/2026
Crossed Over
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts. Requires every locality with a population of 400,000 or greater to elect its members of the 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.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that any locality in Virginia with a population of 400,000 or greater must elect its governing body members from individual single-member districts, meaning each member represents a specific, equally populated geographic area within the locality, rather than being elected by all voters in the locality at large. However, the presiding officer of the governing body can still be elected by all voters. If a locality already meets these requirements before July 1, 2026, its existing district map will become effective upon the bill's passage. If not, the locality must establish these districts and redraw representation according to general law, with no further redistricting allowed until the next decennial census. This change is intended to ensure more localized representation for residents in larger population centers.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (on 02/24/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB168 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB168/text/HB168S1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB168/text/HB168SC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB168) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1123465.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB168/text/HB168H1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB168/text/HB168HC2 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB168/text/HB168HC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB168) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091376.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB168/text/HB168 |
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