Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia HB 1238
Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Irene Shin (Democratic)
Cosponsors (1)
- Scott A. Surovell (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE
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.
Text versions
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2026 Senate | Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources | fail | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 24, 2026 Senate | Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 17, 2026 House | H VOTE: | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 13, 2026 House | Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
Actions
- Feb 24, 2026 · Senate
Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N) - Feb 24, 2026 · Senate
Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N) - Feb 24, 2026 · Senate
Assigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) - Feb 17, 2026 · House
Read third time and passed House (58-Y 36-N 0-A) - Feb 16, 2026 · House
Engrossed by House as amended - Feb 16, 2026 · House
committee amendments agreed to - Feb 16, 2026 · House
Read second time - Feb 15, 2026 · House
Read first time - Feb 13, 2026 · House
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N) - Feb 13, 2026 · House
House committee offered - Feb 11, 2026 · House
Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) - Jan 30, 2026 · House
Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture - Jan 14, 2026 · House
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources - Jan 14, 2026 · House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103643D