Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 198: Local government; review of decision by board of zoning appeals, procedures for filing petition.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 198 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 7, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Local government; review of decision by board of zoning appeals, procedures for filing petition. Primary sponsor: Josh Thomas (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (April 8, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0368).
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.
Local governing body; review of decision by board of zoning appeals; procedures for filing petition. Makes various changes and clarifications to the procedures following the filing of a petition in a circuit court by a party aggrieved by a decision of the board of zoning appeals. Current law provides that a circuit court, upon presentation of the petition, shall allow a writ of certiorari to review such decision and includes certain timing requirements for service upon and response by the board of zoning appeals. The bill clarifies that the petition shall be served upon the secretary or chair of the board of zoning appeals within 30 days after the petition is filed with the clerk of the circuit court and that, within 21 days of being served with the petition, the secretary of the board of zoning appeals shall file the record of the proceedings at issue in the petition. The bill also updates other procedures, such as the time requirements for the filing of responsive pleadings, to be consistent with the various changes and clarifications throughout the bill. This bill is a recommendation of the Boyd-Graves Conference.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Thomas | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 21 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0368)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 368 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Signed by President
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB198ER)
- Enrolled
- Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Read third time
- Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Showing 12 most recent of 24 actions. Full history