2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104660D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1342

Offered January 19, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3.1 and 5.2, as amended, of Chapter 319 of the Acts of Assembly of 1966, which provided a charter for the City of Fairfax, relating to city elections; powers.

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Patrons—Bulova; Senator: Salim

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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 §§ 3.1 and 5.2, as amended, of Chapter 319 of the Acts of Assembly of 1966 are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 3.1. Election of Council members and Mayor.

On the first Tuesday in May, 1972, and in every second year thereafter, there shall be held a general city election at which shall be elected by the qualified voters of the City at large six members of the Council and a Mayor for terms of two years. The terms of Council members and Mayor are to begin on the first day of July following their election.

Commencing with the general city election scheduled on the first Tuesday in May 2022, such election shall be held instead on the general election date on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2022 and again every two years thereafter. The terms of Council members and Mayor so elected are to begin on the first day of January following the election.

All elections held pursuant to the prior provisions of this section are hereby ratified and confirmed.

§ 5.2. Powers.

All Powers vested in the City shall be exercised by the Council except as otherwise provided in this Charter. In addition to the foregoing, the Council shall have the following powers:

(a) To provide for the organization, conduct and operation of all departments, bureaus, divisions, boards, commissions, offices and agencies of the City.

(b) To create, alter or abolish departments, bureaus, divisions, boards, commissions and offices.

(c) To designate the time and place for all Council meetings; provided, that special meetings of the Council may be called at the request of the Mayor or of not less than three members thereof.

(d) To provide for the number, titles, qualifications, power, duties and compensation of all officers and employees of the City, and to supplement the salary of any elected official and his deputies and employees other than the Mayor and Council members, provided that any such supplement shall not exceed the maximum permitted by general law.

(e) To provide for compensation of the Mayor in accordance with § 15.2-1414.6 of the Code of Virginia.

(f) To provide for compensation of members of boards or commissions in an amount not to exceed $50 per meeting such amounts as established by the Council.