HB221Introduced in the House of Delegates
Appeals bond; indigent parties, appeal of unlawful detainer.
Introduced by Patrick Hope, District 1
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Requirement for appeals bond; indigent parties; appeal of unlawful detainer. Removes the requirement for an indigent defendant, as defined in the bill, to post an appeal bond in an unlawful detainer action appealed from the general district court.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0579)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A) · February 23, 2026
21
Yes
17
No
2
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | No |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | No |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | No |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101270D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (9-Y 1-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (13-Y 6-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendments agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Reported from Courts of Justice (11-Y 3-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (20-Y 17-N 0-A)
Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB221ER)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 579 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0579)
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