HB 1238 VA
Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.
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Summary
This bill would authorize localities to regulate or prohibit the sale of animals in pet shops through local ordinances. Pet shops are retail establishments that sell animals as pets. Some localities may wish to restrict or ban commercial pet sales due to animal welfare concerns. The bill would allow individual localities to set their own policies regarding animal sales in pet shops through local ordinances.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.
Official abstract
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3.2-6537 and 3.2-6543 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local ordinances; regulation of pet shops.
Sponsor (1)
- Irene Shin Democratic · primary
1 coauthor / cosponsor
- Scott A. Surovell Democratic · cosponsor
Action history (17)
- Jan 14, 2026 Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103643D · lower
- Jan 14, 2026 Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources · lower
- Jan 30, 2026 Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture · lower
- Feb 11, 2026 Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) · lower
- Feb 13, 2026 House committee offered · lower
- Feb 13, 2026 Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N) · lower
- Feb 15, 2026 Read first time · lower
- Feb 16, 2026 Read second time · lower
- Feb 16, 2026 committee amendments agreed to · lower
- Feb 16, 2026 Engrossed by House as amended · lower
- Feb 17, 2026 Read third time and passed House (58-Y 36-N 0-A) · lower
- Feb 18, 2026 Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) · upper
- Feb 18, 2026 Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources · upper
- Feb 24, 2026 Assigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals · upper
- Feb 24, 2026 Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N) · upper
- Feb 24, 2026 Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N) · upper
- Jul 21, 2026 Continued from last session · upper
Full text
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