Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1299: Rules of construction; use of "shall," effective clause, report.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1299 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 15, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Rules of construction; use of "shall," effective clause, report. Primary sponsor: Karrie Delaney (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (March 9, 2026): Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (11-Y 4-N).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Rules of construction; use of "shall." Provides that "shall," as used in the Code of Virginia, establishes a mandatory requirement and is not merely directory, unless the statute explicitly provides otherwise. The bill responds to the holding in Henderson v. Commonwealth, 77 Va. App. 250 (2023), in which the Court of Appeals held that when the General Assembly uses "shall" in a statute commanding action by a public official or public body such usage is directory and not mandatory. The foregoing provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly. The bill requires, effective in due course, the Virginia Code Commission to review the bill's provisions and evaluate the bill's effect on the Code of Virginia and to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2026.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karrie Delaney | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 9 |
| Holly Seibold | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 12 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (11-Y 4-N)
- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by House as amended
- committee amendments agreed to
- Read second time
- Read first time
- Reported from Rules with amendment(s) (16-Y 0-N)
- Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee
- Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)
- Referred from Courts of Justice and referred to Rules (Voice Vote)
Showing 12 most recent of 14 actions. Full history