SB51
Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts.
Status:
Enacted
Latest Action:
March 9, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter8(Effective 3/9/2026)
Chief Patron:
Aaron Rouse (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Election of certain governing bodies; conversion to single-member districts.
Requires every locality with a population of 400,000 or greater to elect the members of its governing body by individual single-member districts. The bill provides that a governing body's presiding officer may be elected at large. The bill further provides that any such governing body that does not already meet ... (More) the requirements of the bill shall establish the required districts and shall reapportion the representation in the governing body in accordance with general law. Finally, the bill provides that for any such governing body that, prior to 2026, adopted an ordinance with a map to elect its members by individual single-member districts, such ordinance shall become effective upon the effective date of this act. (Less)-
Bill History
- 11/24/2025 - Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100881D
- 11/24/2025 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Local Government
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Reported from Local Government with substitute (14-Y 0-N)
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute printed 26106179D-S1
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Read first time
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Read second time
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Local Government Substitute agreed to
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute agreed to
- 01/29/2026 - Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 14-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB51)
- 02/04/2026 - House: Placed on Calendar
- 02/04/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/04/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- 02/12/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 02/13/2026 - House: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (16-Y 5-N)
- 02/15/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/16/2026 - House: Read third time
- 02/16/2026 - House: Passed House (72-Y 26-N 0-A)
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Enrolled
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB51ER)
- 02/18/2026 - House: Signed by Speaker
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Signed by President
- 02/25/2026 - Senate: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB51)
- 02/26/2026 - Senate: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 26, 2026
- 02/26/2026 - Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 05, 2026
- 03/04/2026 - Governor's recommendation received by Senate
- 03/04/2026 - Governor's Recommendation
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (20-Y 19-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 03/09/2026 - House: House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 29-N 0-A)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Reenrolled
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Reenrolled bill text (SB51ER2)
- 03/09/2026 - House: Signed by Speaker
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Signed by President
- 03/09/2026 - Approved by Governor-Chapter8(Effective 3/9/2026)
