SB 498 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

School Construction and Modernization, Commission on; revisions, elimination of sunset.

Summary
Commission on School Construction and Modernization; revisions; elimination of sunset. Eliminates the expiration date of the Commission on School Construction and Modernization, which, pursuant to current law, is set to expire on July 1, 2026. The bill also directs the Commission to (i) meet at least four times each year and post notice of the date, time, and location of each meeting on the central, publicly available electronic calendar maintained by the Commonwealth in accordance with applicable law; (ii) update annually the statewide needs estimate for construction and modernization of school facilities; (iii) develop and deliver by November 1, 2026, a 10-year capital roadmap; and (iv) collaborate with early childhood care and education Ready Regions and comprehensive community colleges in the Commonwealth to collect and evaluate data relating to Ready Region and comprehensive community college facility usage, availability, and needs. Finally, the bill directs the Department of Education, in order to assist the Commission with its work, to update and make available to the Commission an inventory of all public school facilities in the Commonwealth by September 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 544.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 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 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally enacted into law as Chapter 166 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The primary change is the removal of the sunset provision, meaning the Commission on School Construction and Modernization will no longer expire on July 1, 2026, but will continue to operate indefinitely. The substantive policy requirements, duties, and deadlines for the Commission remain exactly the same as in the previous version.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding the Commission's powers and duties remains unchanged; the only change is the removal of the expiration date, ensuring the Commission's permanent establishment.
TIMELINE

The expiration date of July 1, 2026, was removed from the text, eliminating the sunset provision and making the Commission a permanent entity.

TECHNICAL

The document was converted from a draft 'Enrolled' status to a formal 'Chaptered' law, including the addition of Chapter number 166 and the official approval date of April 6, 2026.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to line breaks and spacing to conform to the official printed style of Virginia Acts of Assembly.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 9, 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
31
Key actions
11
Committee
6
Apr 6, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 166 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB498ER)
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)
lower
Mar 1, 2026
Committee
Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Rules
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Rules (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Rules
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Lashrecse Aird
Lashrecse Aird
DDemocratic
VA
13