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Bill

HB 1153

Community Builders Pilot Program; name change, statewide demonstration model site, repeals sunset.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia bill makes Community Builders Pilot Program permanent statewide, removes automatic expiration date, and establishes demonstration model sites across state.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0051)
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Bill Summary · HB 1153

Legislative bill overview

HB 1153 establishes the Community Builders Pilot Program in Virginia, a statewide demonstration initiative that appears designed to build community capacity through selected model sites. The bill includes provisions for renaming the program, removing sunset provisions that would have terminated it, and expanding it to operate as a statewide model rather than a limited pilot.

Why is this important

This legislation represents a commitment to make a pilot program permanent and scalable across Virginia, suggesting initial results were viewed as successful enough to warrant expanded investment. The shift from sunset clause to permanent status and expansion to statewide demonstration sites indicates legislative confidence in the program's effectiveness, though it also commits ongoing state resources.

Potential points of contention

  • Program specifics unclear: The bill summary lacks detail about what "Community Builders" actually does, making it difficult to assess whether the expansion is warranted or what outcomes justify permanence
  • Appropriations split vote: The 15-7 vote in Appropriations suggests meaningful fiscal concerns among some legislators, though the majority supported moving forward
  • Sunset removal: Eliminating the sunset clause removes a mechanism for mandatory legislative review, potentially allowing an underperforming program to continue indefinitely without reassessment

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

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