STATE BILLVA HB 1238ENGROSSED

Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.

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.

Status: Engrossed; Passed its first chamber
Status date: Feb 16, 2026; 269 days ago
Current chamber: Senate
Session: 2027 Regular Session

VA HB 1238 · EngrossedFeb 16

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Bill details

Last action: Continued from last session · Jul 21, 2026
Pending committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

Bill history

Newest first.

Jul 21, 2026Continued from last sessionSenate

Feb 24, 2026Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N)Senate

Feb 24, 2026Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N)Senate

Feb 24, 2026Assigned HACNR sub: Companion AnimalsSenate

Feb 18, 2026Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural ResourcesSenate

Feb 18, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)Senate

Feb 17, 2026Read third time and passed House (58-Y 36-N 0-A)House

Feb 16, 2026Engrossed by House as amendedHouse

Show 9 earlier actions

Feb 16, 2026committee amendments agreed toHouse

Feb 16, 2026Read second timeHouse

Feb 15, 2026Read first timeHouse

Feb 13, 2026Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N)House

Feb 13, 2026House committee offeredHouse

Feb 11, 2026Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)House

Jan 30, 2026Assigned HACNR sub: AgricultureHouse

Jan 14, 2026Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural ResourcesHouse

Jan 14, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103643DHouse

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Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.

What it means for vendors

Bill details

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Bill history

Read the bill at the source

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Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.

What it means for vendors

Bill details

Sponsors

Bill history

Read the bill at the source

Start finding government buyers today.It's free.

Start finding government buyers today.
It's free.