A bill put forward by State Del. Betsy B. Carr intends to expand the reach of local development authorities, focusing on allowing a greater variety of community projects, as detailed by the Virginia State House.
The legislation, labeled HB806, was introduced Jan. 14, 2026, during the 2026 session, and its summary reads: “Industrial development authorities; promoting safe and affordable housing.”
The summary below, based on content from the bill, clarifies and interprets key provisions.
In summary, the measure expands and clarifies the mission and authorities of Virginia’s local industrial development entities, highlighting their potential to help finance numerous facility types—medical, educational, governmental, museum, equine, industrial park, housing and public school initiatives. Notably, the bill grants explicit authority to support affordable housing by permitting bond issuance or grants for affordable single- or multi-family homes in areas lacking housing authorities, without permitting operation of such residences or the use of eminent domain. It also amends facility definitions and establishes that bonds issued may fund both new projects and refinancing activities.
The measure was introduced by Rep. Betsy B. Carr (Democrat-78th District) and Rep. Eric Phillips (Republican-48th District).
At the start of this session, Carr has offered 14 additional bills.
Carr is an alumna of Hollins College, having earned her bachelor’s degree in 1968.
Carr, a Democrat, won election to the Virginia State House in 2024 for the 78th House district, succeeding Jay Leftwich.
In Virginia, the process for passing legislation begins with proposal of a bill in either chamber. The bill is assigned to committees for review, potential amendments, and votes; if it passes committee, it goes to a floor vote in both House and Senate. Approval by both sends the measure to the governor, whose choices include signing, vetoing or taking no action, in which case the bill may still become law. The General Assembly’s regular session begins annually on the second Monday of January, with lawmakers filing hundreds of legislative items, but only a fraction become statutes.
| Patron(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betsy B. Carr and Eric Phillips | HB806 | 01/14/2026 | Industrial development authorities; promoting safe and affordable housing. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB802 | 01/14/2026 | Vacant buildings; registration by registered agents, etc., annually. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB803 | 01/14/2026 | Repairs or maintenance of property; entering adjoining property, petition for entry. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB811 | 01/14/2026 | License plates, spec.; issuance to supporters of Richmond SPCA bearing legend SAVING LIVES TOGETHER. |
| Betsy B. Carr, Rodney T. Willett, and Holly M. Seibold | HB812 | 01/14/2026 | Traffic regulation; bicycles, and certain other devices, bicycle signals. |
| Betsy B. Carr and Rodney T. Willett | HB819 | 01/14/2026 | Pedestrians; walking on roadways that are part of divided highways. |
| Betsy B. Carr, Amy J. Laufer, Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker, Irene Shin, Jackie H. Glass, Kathy K.L. Tran, Michelle Lopes Maldonado, Nicole Cole, and Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan, Jr. | HB1037 | 01/14/2026 | Instructional materials on climate change & environtl. literacy; model pol. & proced. for selection. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB1039 | 01/14/2026 | College and Career Ready Virginia Program; advisory committee and work group composition. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB1040 | 01/14/2026 | VCU Health System Authority; changes relating to board of directors and chief executive officer. |
| Betsy B. Carr, Jackie H. Glass, Marcia S. “Cia” Price, Marcus B. Simon, Rae Cousins, and Virgil Thornton | HB1041 | 01/14/2026 | DOC; powers and duties of Director, Virginia Prison Education Task Force established, report. |
| Betsy B. Carr and Virgil Thornton | HB1043 | 01/14/2026 | Affordable and Special Needs Housing program, etc.; applicant notification of awards and denials. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB1044 | 01/14/2026 | Virginia Public Procurement Act; cooperative procurement, re-roofing. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB1045 | 01/14/2026 | Va. Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority; annual mixed beverage performing arts facility license. |
| Betsy B. Carr and Stacey Annie Carroll | HB1046 | 01/14/2026 | Virginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements. |
| Betsy B. Carr, Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr., and Virgil Thornton | HB1047 | 01/14/2026 | Va. War Memorial Foundation; Commissioner of Dept. of Veterans Services shall provide supervision. |
Information in this article is sourced from the Virginia State House. Access the original data here.
