HB 1238 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

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 Feb 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Feb 17, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended and reenacted as Engrossed, with several substantive changes to the pet shop regulation provisions. The most significant change is the addition of a sunset provision requiring the act to be reenacted by the 2027 Session to remain effective. Additionally, the language regarding what pet shops can be regulated was modified to clarify restrictions on acquisition, marketing, and sale of animals.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on regulating pet shops and dealers in companion animals, but the sunset provision adds a time limitation to the law's effectiveness.

TIMELINE

Added a sunset provision requiring the act to be reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly to remain effective, meaning the regulations will expire unless passed again.

REQUIREMENT

Modified language in § 3.2-6537 to clarify that ordinances can prohibit the sale of animals in pet shops, with additional bracketed text indicating further restrictions on acquisition and marketing activities.

Added bracketed text to § 3.2-6537 regarding provisions for special licensing, inspections, reporting, or restrictions on the sale of certain animals, expanding potential regulatory options for localities.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill status from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' and updated the bill number format, reflecting the legislative process progression.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

47–35

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 87

Feb 17, 2026

D Democratic52

47 Yea 1 Nay 4

90% Yea

R Republican35

34 Nay 1

97% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

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