2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26101277D

HOUSE BILL NO. 226

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 8, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-709.3, relating to county manager plan of government; independent policing auditor.

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Patron—Hope

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Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 15.2-709.3 as follows:

§ 15.2-709.3. Independent policing auditor.

A. The board may appoint an independent policing auditor to support any law-enforcement civilian oversight body created by the board pursuant to § 9.1-601. The independent policing auditor shall have all the powers of the law-enforcement civilian oversight body, to the extent such powers are delegated to the independent policing auditor by the oversight body.

B. The board may provide staff assistance to the independent policing auditor that may be independent of the administrative staff of the county. The independent policing auditor and any such staff shall be hired on the basis of merit and shall be paid in conformity with existing pay scales. The independent policing auditor shall serve at the pleasure of the board.