HB1238
Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. 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. ... (More) 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. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/14/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103643D
- 01/14/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
- 01/30/2026 - House: Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture
- 02/03/2026 - House: Placed on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Agenda
- 02/09/2026 - House: Placed on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Agenda
- 02/11/2026 - House: Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)
- 02/11/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- 02/12/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 02/13/2026 - House: House committee offered
- 02/13/2026 - House: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N)
- 02/15/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/16/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/16/2026 - House: committee amendments agreed to
- 02/16/2026 - House: Engrossed by House as amended
- 02/17/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (58-Y 36-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
- 02/24/2026 - Senate: Assigned HACNR sub: Companion Animals
- 02/24/2026 - Senate: Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N)
- 02/24/2026 - Senate: Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N)
