Virginia 2023 Regular Session Status: Passed House Of Delegates

HB 2257 — Election of council for cities and towns; exemption from district-based and ward-based restrictions.

Last action — Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections (9-Y 6-N)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House of Delegates” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

29 added · 27 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill HB 2257 has been amended to lower the population threshold for applying district-based and ward-based residency requirements for city and town councils from over 35,000 to over 25,000 residents. This change allows smaller localities to adopt district representation, which can help ensure that diverse community voices are heard in local government. The amendment aims to create a more equitable electoral process for smaller cities and towns in Virginia.

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SESSION INTRODUCED 23103235D HOUSE BILL NO.
SESSION ENGROSSED 23103235D HOUSE BILL NO.
2257 I Offered January 11, 2023 N Prefiled January 11, 2023 T A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-222 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections;
2257 House Amendments in [ ] - February 6, 2023 A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-222 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections;
exemption from district-based and ward-based restrRctions for small localities.
exemption from district-based and ward-based restrictions for small localities.
–––––––––– O Patron––Cordoza D –––––––––– Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections U –––––––––– C 1.
–––––––––– Patron Prior to ––––––––––t––Delegate Cordoza Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections E –––––––––– N Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
G 1.
E § 24.2-222.
Election and terms of mayor and council for cities and towns.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, in a city or town with a population in excess of 35,000 persons that imposes district-based or each district or ward shall be elected by the qualified voters of that district or ward and not by the locality at large.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, in a city or town with a population in excess of [ 35,000 25,000 ] persons that imposes district-based or ward-based residency requirements for members of the city or town council, the member elected from each district or ward shall be elected by the qualified voters of that distSict or ward and not by the locality at large.
B.
E special:
Except as provided in § 24.2-222.1, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special:
(i) any election of mayor or councilmen of a city or town whose charter provides for suchor elections at two-year or four-year intervals shall take place at the May general election of anD even-numbered year and (ii) any election of mayor or councilmen of a city or town whose charter provides for such elections at one-year or three-year intervals shall take place at the general election in May of the years designated by charter.
(i) any election of mayor or councilmen of a city or town whose charter provides for such elections at two-year or four-year intervals shall take place at the May general election of anB provides for such elections at one-year or three-year intervals shall take place at the general election in May of the years designated by charter.
The persons so elected shall enter upon the duties of their offices on July 1 succeeding their election and remain in office until their successors have qualified.
The persons so elected shall enter upon the duties of t7eir offices on July 1 succeeding their election and remain in office until their successors have qualified.
H B E :
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Action History

  1. Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections (9-Y 6-N)

  2. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

  3. Constitutional reading dispensed

  4. Impact statement from DPB (HB2257E)

  5. VOTE: Passage (52-Y 47-N)

  6. Read third time and passed House (52-Y 47-N)

  7. Printed as engrossed 23103235D-E

  8. Engrossed by House as amended HB2257E

  9. Committee amendment agreed to

  10. Read second time

  11. Read first time

  12. Reported from Privileges and Elections with amendment(s) (12-Y 10-N)

  13. House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  14. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (5-Y 3-N)

  15. House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  16. Assigned P & E sub: Subcommittee #2

  17. Impact statement from DPB (HB2257)

  18. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

  19. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/23 23103235D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2257?
HB 2257 is sponsored by Cordoza, A.C..
What is the current status of HB 2257?
This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House of Delegates” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 2257?
Track HB 2257 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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