Committee advances bill to create task force on local revenue structures

Chair Janelle Wilkins opened the Ways and Means Committee’s voting session and recognized the vice chair to present House Bill 11 42, which would establish a task force to modernize county and municipal revenue structures.

"The municipalities and counties have come to us with a number of different proposals on how to generate revenue," the vice chair said, telling the committee the study will examine existing local revenue sources and potential new ones and will produce a report due by 12/01/2026.

Wilkins emphasized the measure is a broad study: "This bill will look at everything possible ... It definitely can look at grants. It can look at ... potential tax opportunities ... and just really give us a comprehensive look," she said, adding the bill requires consideration of affordability when evaluating options.

Delegate Hornberger pressed for specifics, asking whether the work would target grants, new taxes or "piggyback" taxes. Wilkins replied the task force is intended to evaluate the full range of options municipalities and counties have proposed.

The committee moved the bill favorable on a voice vote. Chair Wilkins recorded that Delegates Hornberger, Miller, Long and Griffith opposed the motion; no names were given for who seconded the motion.

Next steps: House Bill 11 42 moves from committee with a requirement that the task force report back by 12/01/2026; the committee did not adopt statutory changes at this hearing and took no further action beyond the favorable report.