Bill Commons

VA SB 294

enacted

Va. Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; submetering, energy allocation, & ratio utility billing sys.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · upper

Quick answers

Did VA SB 294 pass?

Yes. VA SB 294 has been enacted into law as of 2026-04-13. Latest recorded action (2026-04-13): Approved by Governor-Chapter 784 (effective 7/1/2026)

What is VA SB 294 about?

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; civil action for unlawful detainer; termination notice; energy submetering equipment. Provides that no landlord shall file or maintain an action for unlawful detainer against a residential tenant for any alleged lease violation until the landlord has provided the tenant with a proper and effective termination notice and that no notice of termination of tenancy for nonpayment of rent pursuant to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act shall be effective unless such notice contains a written statement of charges and payments over the course of the tenancy or the past 12 months, whichever is shorter, and any late charges, attorney fees, costs, and other charges or damages as contracted for in the rental agreement that are due and owing. The bill requires such notice to also include debits and credits incurred by the tenant for energy and utility bills and any additional charges permitted as applicable. The bill also requires the owner of any residential building to maintain adequate records indicating how monthly energy and utility billing fees are calculated and including a history of billing fee payments for each tenant over the duration of the tenancy or the past 12 months, whichever is shorter. Such records shall be made available to the tenant upon request. Finally, the bill removes a provision allowing for the collection of fees when a tenant requests such records. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1361.

Who sponsors VA SB 294?

Lashrecse D. Aird is the primary sponsor of VA SB 294.

Description

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; civil action for unlawful detainer; termination notice; energy submetering equipment. Provides that no landlord shall file or maintain an action for unlawful detainer against a residential tenant for any alleged lease violation until the landlord has provided the tenant with a proper and effective termination notice and that no notice of termination of tenancy for nonpayment of rent pursuant to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act shall be effective unless such notice contains a written statement of charges and payments over the course of the tenancy or the past 12 months, whichever is shorter, and any late charges, attorney fees, costs, and other charges or damages as contracted for in the rental agreement that are due and owing. The bill requires such notice to also include debits and credits incurred by the tenant for energy and utility bills and any additional charges permitted as applicable. The bill also requires the owner of any residential building to maintain adequate records indicating how monthly energy and utility billing fees are calculated and including a history of billing fee payments for each tenant over the duration of the tenancy or the past 12 months, whichever is shorter. Such records shall be made available to the tenant upon request. Finally, the bill removes a provision allowing for the collection of fees when a tenant requests such records. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1361.

Introduced
2026-01-13
Latest action
2026-04-13 — Approved by Governor-Chapter 784 (effective 7/1/2026)
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Sponsors

  • Lashrecse D. Airdprimary

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

  1. 2026-01-13

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100979D

    filing,introduction

  2. 2026-01-13

    Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

    referral-committee

  3. 2026-01-21

    Assigned GL&T sub: Housing

    referral-committee

  4. 2026-01-23

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB294)

  5. 2026-01-28

    Senate subcommittee offered

  6. 2026-02-04

    Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (11-Y 3-N)

    committee-passage

  7. 2026-02-05

    Committee substitute printed 26106528D-S1

    substitution

  8. 2026-02-06

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB294)

  9. 2026-02-06

    Rules suspended

  10. 2026-02-06

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  11. 2026-02-06

    Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

  12. 2026-02-06

    Passed by for the day

  13. 2026-02-09

    Read second time

    reading-2

  14. 2026-02-09

    General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to

  15. 2026-02-09

    Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

    substitution

  16. 2026-02-10

    Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    passage,reading-3

  17. 2026-02-13

    Placed on Calendar

  18. 2026-02-13

    Read first time

    reading-1

  19. 2026-02-13

    Referred to Committee on General Laws

    referral-committee

  20. 2026-02-23

    Assigned HGL sub: Housing/Consumer Protection

    referral-committee

  21. 2026-02-26

    House subcommittee offered

  22. 2026-02-26

    Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)

    substitution

  23. 2026-03-03

    Reported from General Laws with substitute (20-Y 1-N)

    committee-passage

  24. 2026-03-03

    Committee substitute printed 26108714D-H1

    substitution

  25. 2026-03-05

    Read second time

    reading-2

  26. 2026-03-06

    Read third time

    reading-3

  27. 2026-03-06

    committee substitute agreed to

    substitution

  28. 2026-03-06

    Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    substitution

  29. 2026-03-06

    Passed House with substitute (75-Y 23-N 0-A)

    passage

  30. 2026-03-06

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB294)

  31. 2026-03-10

    House substitute agreed to by Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    substitution

  32. 2026-03-30

    Enrolled

    enrolled

  33. 2026-03-30

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB294ER)

    passage

  34. 2026-03-30

    Signed by President

    passage

  35. 2026-03-31

    Signed by Speaker

    passage

  36. 2026-03-31

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    enrolled,executive-receipt

  37. 2026-03-31

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

    executive-receipt

  38. 2026-04-01

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB294)

  39. 2026-04-13

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 784 (effective 7/1/2026)

    executive-signature

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute

    2026-02-04 · pass · 11-3

    Member-level votes (15)
    • Adam P. Ebbin: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: not voting
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Timmy French: no
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • Constitutional reading dispensed R

    2026-02-06 · pass · 39-0

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: yes
    • Adam P. Ebbin: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: not voting
    • Christopher T. Head: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • Passage R

    2026-02-10 · pass · 21-19

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: no
    • Christie New Craig: no
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: no
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
    • Tara A. Durant: no
    • Adam P. Ebbin: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: no
    • T. Travis Hackworth: no
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: no
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: no
    • Bryce E. Reeves: no
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • David R. Suetterlein: no
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

    2026-02-26 · pass · 10-0

    Member-level votes (10)
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes

  • Reported from General Laws with substitute

    2026-03-03 · pass · 20-1

    Member-level votes (21)
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes

  • H VOTE:

    2026-03-06 · pass · 75-23

    Member-level votes (99)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Jason S. Ballard: no
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: not voting
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Mitchell Cornett: no
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: no
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: yes
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
    • Jackie H. Glass: yes
    • Timothy P. Griffin: no
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Karen Hamilton: no
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: yes
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: no
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: no
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes
    • Joseph P. McNamara: yes
    • Kirk McPike: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: no
    • Justin Pence: no
    • Eric Phillips: no
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: no
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: no
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: yes
    • Wendell S. Walker: no
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: no
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Madison Whittle: no
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: no
    • Tony O. Wilt: yes
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
    • Scott A. Wyatt: yes
    • Eric R. Zehr: no

  • Concur House Substitute R

    2026-03-10 · pass · 21-19

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: no
    • Christie New Craig: no
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: no
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
    • Tara A. Durant: no
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: no
    • T. Travis Hackworth: no
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: no
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: no
    • Bryce E. Reeves: no
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • David R. Suetterlein: no
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB294

Attribution

Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z

Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:

Source and document changesStatus and relationship changes

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