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SB 773

Community Colleges, powers, State Board for; acquisition and improvement of certain property.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Timmy French

Virginia SB 773 grants community colleges' State Board broader authority to acquire and improve property, potentially accelerating campus expansion but raising questions about costs and local coordination.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB773)
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Bill Summary · SB 773

Legislative bill overview

SB 773 expands the powers of Virginia's State Board for Community Colleges by authorizing them to acquire and improve certain property beyond current statutory limits. The bill removes or modifies restrictions on what types of property community colleges can purchase and develop, giving the board greater flexibility in campus expansion and facility improvements.

Why is this important

Community colleges serve as critical workforce development and accessible higher education infrastructure in Virginia. Expanded property acquisition authority could enable faster responses to regional economic needs, housing demands on campuses, and infrastructure modernization—but it also commits public resources and affects local land use planning.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact and appropriations: The bill requires Department of Planning and Budget fiscal analysis, suggesting potential costs to state budget that remain undefined in early legislative stages
  • Local government coordination: Expanded property acquisition powers may bypass or complicate existing local zoning and comprehensive planning processes
  • Scope ambiguity: The phrase "certain property" is vague at this stage and could encompass residential, commercial, or agricultural land with unclear limitations on board discretion

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

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