VirginiaVirginia local governments could regulate pet shop sales if reenacted
Virginia local governments could set pet shop sales rules, including bans and inspections, under a measure that would require reenactment in 2027 to take effect.
What it does
Virginia local governments could regulate or ban animal sales in pet shops. The measure would take effect only if lawmakers reenact it during the 2027 session.
Argument forIf the measure takes effect, local inspection and reporting rules could help officials find and address problems in pet shops.
Argument againstIf the measure takes effect and local governments ban sales, pet shops could lose business and residents could have fewer places to buy animals.
More detail
Virginia local governments could adopt local laws regulating or banning animal sales in pet shops. Rules could differ by type of pet shop and restrict or ban sales of certain animals. They could also require special licenses, inspections, and reports. Each local government would need to adopt a local law before its sales rules would apply. The measure would not take effect unless the General Assembly reenacts it during its 2027 session.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Feb 24Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N)
- Feb 24Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N)Minor
- Feb 24Assigned HACNR sub: Companion AnimalsMinor
- Feb 18Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Feb 18Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 17Read third time and passed House (58-Y 36-N 0-A)Passed House
- Feb 16Engrossed by House as amended
- Feb 16committee amendments agreed toMajor
- Feb 16Read second timeMinor
- Feb 15Read first timeMinor
- Feb 13Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N)Minor
- Feb 13House committee offered
- Feb 11Referred from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)Minor
- Jan 30Assigned HACNR sub: AgricultureMinor
- Jan 14Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 14Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103643DIntroduced
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