Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 594: Affordable housing developments, certain; expedited approval.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 594 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Affordable housing developments, certain; expedited approval. Primary sponsor: Shelly Simonds (Democratic). It lists 27 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 8, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0406).
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.
Expedited approval for certain affordable housing developments. Allows a locality, by ordinance, to authorize a zoning administrator to use an administrative process to approve rezoning applications for certain affordable housing developments. The bill requires that the affordable housing development comply with the Virginia Fair Housing Law, connect to a public or community water supply or sewage system, and be located within or adjacent to an area identified by the locality that could support increased density development and provide access to services. The bill also requires the locality, prior to the adoption of such ordinance, to advertise its intention to propose such ordinance within a certain period of time in a newspaper having a general circulation in the locality. The bill allows the Department of Housing and Community Development to give a locality priority for any grants or loans administered by the Department if such locality demonstrates to the Department's satisfaction that its ordinance has met the provisions of the bill. Finally, the bill requires certain localities that adopt such ordinance to include in their annual local housing policy report to the Department a summary of the ordinance.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 23
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Simonds | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 70 |
| Kimberly Pope Adams | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Jessica L. Anderson | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 39 |
| Destiny LeVere Bolling | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 80 |
| Katrina Callsen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 54 |
| Betsy Carr | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 78 |
| Stacey Annie Carroll | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Laura Jane Cohen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 15 |
| Nicole Cole | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 66 |
| Josh Cole | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 65 |
| Rae Cousins | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 79 |
| Michael Feggans | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 97 |
| Kelly Fowler | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 96 |
| Lily V. Franklin | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Dan Helmer | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 10 |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Paul Krizek | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 16 |
| Marty Martinez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 29 |
| Garrett McGuire | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 17 |
| Leslie Chambers Mehta | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Cia Price | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 85 |
| Atoosa Reaser | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 27 |
| David Reid | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 28 |
| Holly Seibold | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 12 |
| Irene Shin | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 8 |
| Marcus Simon | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 13 |
| Kathy Tran | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 18 |
“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 (CHAP0406)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 406 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB594)
- Signed by President
- Signed by Speaker
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB594ER)
- Enrolled
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB594)
- Senate substitute agreed to by House (81-Y 15-N 0-A)
- Passed Senate with substitute (28-Y 12-N 0-A)
Showing 12 most recent of 33 actions. Full history