HB 1144 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Water and sewer connection fees; first-time homebuyers, affordable housing.

Summary

Water and sewer connection fees; first-time homebuyers; affordable housing. Provides that any locality may provide for the full or partial reimbursement to a first-time homebuyer of water and sewer connection fees, capital recovery charges, and availability fees paid in connection with any new residential development conveyed to such homebuyer. The bill also permits any locality that has adopted an affordable dwelling unit ordinance pursuant to general law to provide for a waiver of such fees and charges for any development subject to the requirements of such ordinance.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was formally enacted into law as Chapter 449 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive policy text regarding water and sewer fees, homebuyer reimbursements, and lien procedures remains unchanged from the enrolled version, with the only modifications being the addition of official chapter headers, approval dates, and page numbering.

Scope change

The scope of the law remains unchanged; it continues to apply to localities in Virginia regarding water and sewer fees and liens.

TECHNICAL

Added official chapter title, approval date (April 8, 2026), and page numbering to finalize the bill as law.

Removed the 'Enrolled' session header and draft formatting markers.

Adjusted line breaks and spacing to match the final printed format of the Virginia Code.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 8, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 449 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1144ER)

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (26-Y 13-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Local Government (10-Y 3-N 2-A)

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Local Government

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by House as amended

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

committee amendments agreed to

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (15-Y 6-N)

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 2-N)

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors