Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.
Summary
Local ordinances; regulation of pet shops. Authorizes the governing body of any locality to, by ordinance, regulate or prohibit the sale of animals in a pet shop. Such ordinance may distinguish between certain types of pet shops and include provisions for special licensing, inspections, reporting, restrictions, or prohibitions on the sale of certain types of animals. The bill also includes certain existing statewide provisions related to pet shops in the list of sections for which a locality may adopt parallel or more stringent ordinances. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
Last action Jul 21, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House of Delegates by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
4
Committee
8
Amendments
2
Feb 24, 2026
Committee
Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N)
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Committee
Assigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (58-Y 36-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendments agreed to
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N)
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
House committee offered
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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