HB1404 • 2026

Local government; appointment of youth representative.

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-1400.1, relating to local governing bodies; appointment of youth representative.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Guzman
Last action: 2026-04-06
Official status: Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the term length of a youth representative or specific requirements for appointment procedures beyond residency and age criteria.

Youth Representative in Local Government

This law allows local governing bodies to appoint young people between 15 and 17 years old who live in their area as nonvoting members.

What This Bill Does

Allows a local governing body to appoint a youth representative who is between 15 and 17 years old.
Requires the youth representative to be a resident of the locality where they serve.
Makes the youth representative a nonvoting member of the local governing body.
Gives local governments the power to set rules for how they choose their youth representatives.

Who It Names or Affects

Local governing bodies
Youth between 15 and 17 years old who live in the area

Terms To Know

Governing body: The group of people who make decisions for a city or town.
Nonvoting member: A person who can speak and share ideas but cannot vote on decisions.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify the length of service for the youth representative.
Local governments have flexibility in setting rules for choosing a youth representative.

Bill History

2026-04-06 Governor
Approved by Governor-Chapter 313 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-06 Governor
Approved by Governor-Chapter 313 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-06 Governor
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0313)
2026-03-10 House
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
2026-03-10 Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-02 House
Signed by Speaker
2026-03-02 Senate
Signed by President
2026-03-02 House
Enrolled
2026-03-02 House
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1404ER)
2026-02-25 Senate
Read third time
2026-02-25 Senate
Passed Senate (28-Y 12-N 0-A)
2026-02-24 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-02-24 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-02-24 Senate
Passed by for the day
2026-02-24 Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-24 Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-02-23 Local Government
Reported from Local Government (10-Y 5-N)
2026-02-06 Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
2026-02-06 Local Government
Referred to Committee on Local Government
2026-02-05 House
Read third time and passed House (65-Y 33-N 0-A)
2026-02-04 House
Read second time and engrossed
2026-02-03 House
Read first time
2026-01-30 Counties, Cities and Towns
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (17-Y 3-N)
2026-01-29 Subcommittee #3
Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N)
2026-01-28 Subcommittee #3
Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3
2026-01-22 House
Presented and ordered printed 26104445D
2026-01-22 Counties, Cities and Towns
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

Official Summary Text

Appointment of youth representative to local governing body.
Allows a local governing body to appoint a youth representative to serve as a nonvoting member of the governing body.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
15.2-1400.1
, relating to local governing bodies; appointment of youth representative.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
15.2-1400.1
as follows:
§
15.2-1400.1
. Appointment of youth representative to governing body.
A governing body may by ordinance adopt procedures for the appointment of a youth representative to serve as a nonvoting member of the governing body. The youth representative shall be 15 to 17 years old at the time of the appointment and a resident of the locality, and shall serve for such term as the locality prescribes.