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Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 1299

Rules of construction; use of "shall," effective clause, report.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (1)

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE

Rules of construction; use of "shall." Provides that "shall," as used in the Code of Virginia, establishes a mandatory requirement and is not merely directory, unless the statute explicitly provides otherwise. The bill responds to the holding in Henderson v. Commonwealth, 77 Va. App. 250 (2023), in which the Court of Appeals held that when the General Assembly uses "shall" in a statute commanding action by a public official or public body such usage is directory and not mandatory. The foregoing provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly. The bill requires, effective in due course, the Virginia Code Commission to review the bill's provisions and evaluate the bill's effect on the Code of Virginia and to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2026.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:04 PM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 9, 2026
Senate		Continued to next session in Courts of JusticepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 12, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 6, 2026
House		Reported from Rules with amendment(s)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 2, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reportingpassSet your home in Virginia to see

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