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HB281Introduced in the House of Delegates

Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent

Passed

Introduced by Katrina Callsen, District 54

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; noncompliance as defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent. Removes the provision requiring that a tenant in possession of a dwelling unit, prior to asserting a defense against an action for rent or possession, pay into court the amount of rent found by the court to be due and unpaid and for such amount to be held by the court pending the issuance of an order. The bill also limits the discretion of the court in actions for possession based upon nonpayment of rent and actions for rent by a landlord when the tenant is in possession of a dwelling unit.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1041)

April 22, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026

21

Yes

18

No

1

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

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3Absent
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101499D

  2. Referred to Committee on General Laws

  3. Assigned HGL sub: Housing/Consumer Protection

  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB281)

  5. Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 3-N)

  6. House committee offered

  7. Reported from General Laws with amendment(s) (15-Y 6-N)

  8. Read first time

  9. Read second time

  10. committee amendment agreed to

  11. Engrossed by House as amended

  12. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB281)

  13. Read third time and passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)

  14. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  15. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

  16. Assigned GL&T sub: Housing

  17. Senate committee offered

  18. Reported from General Laws and Technology with amendment (9-Y 6-N)

  19. Rules suspended

  20. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  21. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  22. Passed by for the day

  23. Read third time

  24. Passed by for the day

  25. General Laws and Technology Amendment agreed to

  26. Engrossed by Senate as amended

  27. Passed Senate with amendment (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

  28. Read third time

  29. Senate amendment agreed to by House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)

  30. Enrolled

  31. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB281ER)

  32. Signed by President

  33. Signed by Speaker

  34. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  35. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  36. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB281)

  37. Governor's recommendation received by House

  38. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 36-N 0-A)

  39. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  40. Governor's recommendation adopted

  41. Reenrolled bill text (HB281ER2)

  42. Signed by Speaker

  43. Signed by President

  44. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1041 (effective - 7/01/2026)

  45. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1041)

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