SB 281 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Waverly, Town of; amending charter, transitioning town government.

Summary

Charter; Town of Waverly; emergency. Amends the charter for the Town of Waverly in Sussex County by transitioning the town from a strong mayor form of government to a council-manager form of government. Additional changes to the charter in the bill include (i) shifting town council elections from May to November, (ii) appointing a town manager, (iii) shifting certain duties from an elected mayor to a town manager, and (iv) repealing numerous outdated provisions. The bill contains an emergency clause.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill finalizes the legislative text for Virginia's Town of Waverley charter, converting it from an enrolled draft to an official chaptered act. The substantive policy content remains unchanged, preserving the town's structure of a mayor and five-council member government with a town manager. The primary difference is the addition of an emergency clause, which ensures the law takes effect immediately upon passage.

TIMELINE

Added an emergency clause stating the act is in force from its passage, allowing for immediate implementation.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from 'Enrolled' to 'Chaptered' and updated the approval date to April 6, 2026, reflecting the bill's final legal status.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Jan 20, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 6, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 339 (effective 4/6/2026)

executive

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB281ER)

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Jan 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Local Government (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Local Government

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors