HB845Introduced in the House of Delegates
Unlawful detainer; bifurcation of case, contested rent and damages.
Introduced by Rae Cousins, District 79
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Unlawful detainer; bifurcation of case; contested rent and damages. Provides that, at an initial hearing on an unlawful detainer, if the defendant contests the amount of rent and damages alleged to be due and owing to the plaintiff, the court shall not bifurcate the unlawful detainer case. Under current law, at the initial hearing, upon request of the plaintiff, the court is required to bifurcate the unlawful detainer case and set a continuance date no later than 120 days from the date of the initial hearing to determine final rent and damages.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0432)
April 8, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) · March 11, 2026
21
Yes
19
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
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 26101054D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB845)
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)
Read first time
Read second time and engrossed
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Read third time and passed House (74-Y 23-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Reported from Courts of Justice (9-Y 6-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 (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB845ER)
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB845)
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 432 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0432)
Verify the information
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