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HJ 442

Affordable housing; study on tax policies enacted by the Commonwealth & political subdivisions.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bobby Orrock

The bill directs a study of state and local tax policies on affordable housing to assess uniformity and effectiveness and to recommend statewide standards.

Left in Rules
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Bill Summary · HJ 442

Summary: HJ 442 — Affordable housing; study on tax policies enacted by the Commonwealth & political subdivisions

Overview

House Joint Resolution 442 directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study the tax policies enacted by the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions related to affordable housing. The goal is to assess how these policies affect funding and availability of affordable housing, with an eye toward potential statewide standards or guidance. The bill emphasizes examination of policy uniformity and success and allows for recommendations as appropriate.

What the bill would do

  • Directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study the tax policies of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions concerning affordable housing.
  • Require the Commission to evaluate policies for uniformity and success and to make recommendations regarding statewide standards as appropriate.
  • Provide technical assistance to the Commission from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
  • Require participation and assistance from all Commonwealth agencies upon request.
  • Task the Commission with completing its meetings by November 30, 2025.
  • Require the Chairman to submit an executive summary of findings and recommendations to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS) no later than the first day of the 2026 Regular Session.
  • State that the executive summary must indicate whether the Commission intends to submit a report of findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for publication as a House or Senate document.
  • Require that the executive summary and any report be submitted consistent with DLAS procedures and posted on the General Assembly’s website.

Key provisions and details

  • Scope: Tax policies at both the state (Commonwealth) and local (political subdivisions) levels related to affordable housing.
  • Evaluation criteria: Uniformity of policies across jurisdictions and the effectiveness (success) of those policies in supporting affordable housing.
  • Support: Technical and informational support from the Department of Housing and Community Development; cooperation from all state agencies as requested.
  • Deliverables: An executive summary by early 2026, with potential for a full report published as a House or Senate document.
  • Reporting mechanism: Submission through DLAS and public posting on the General Assembly website.

Affected parties

  • Primary: Virginia Housing Commission (and its members).
  • Supporting/public agencies: Department of Housing and Community Development; other Commonwealth agencies requested to assist.
  • Local governments and Virginia political subdivisions (cities/counties) whose tax policies relate to affordable housing.
  • General Assembly and Governor, who may receive a published report if the Commission chooses to prepare one.

Timeline and procedural status

  • Introduced: January 6, 2025 (Prefiled; Offered January 13, 2025).
  • Current status: Left in Rules (as of February 4, 2025).
  • Mandated study timeline: Commission meetings completed by November 30, 2025.
  • Final deliverable: Executive summary due to DLAS by the first day of the 2026 Regular Session; potential full report to be published as a House/Senate document and posted publicly.

Context and potential impact

HJ 442 does not enact new tax policy but initiates a comprehensive review of existing tax policies affecting affordable housing. Depending on findings, it could inform future legislative proposals toward more uniform or effective statewide standards to support affordable housing funding and access. The study could influence ongoing policy discussions among state and local governments and shape subsequent appropriation or tax policy actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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