Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 296: County manager plan of government; affordable dwelling unit ordinance.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 296 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: County manager plan of government; affordable dwelling unit ordinance. Primary sponsor: Barbara Favola (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (February 20, 2026): Continued to next session in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote).
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.
County manager plan of government; affordable dwelling unit ordinance. Increases local authority over affordable housing for counties that have adopted the county manager plan of government (Arlington County) by (i) potentially increasing the cash contribution to the county's affordable housing fund by developers in lieu of providing affordable dwelling units and (ii) providing that applications for a special exception approval for a change of use of an existing building from commercial to residential may be subject to an affordable housing requirement. The bill directs the governing body of such counties to appoint an advisory board to advise the governing body regarding the appropriate provisions of an ordinance to amend the cash contribution amounts to such county's affordable housing fund. Certain provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Favola | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 40 |
| Alfonso Lopez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 3 |
“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 Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
- Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3
- Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- Read first time
- Placed on Calendar
- Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
- Local Government Substitute agreed to
- Read second time
- Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Showing 12 most recent of 18 actions. Full history