HB 1149 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Water distribution systems; lead status inspections for water service lines.

Summary
Inspection of water distribution systems; lead status inspections for water service lines. Permits any locality that operates a water distribution system or any water authority that operates a water distribution system, or their respective duly authorized agents, to, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter upon the exterior areas of any property, public or private, for the purpose of accessing and inspecting a water service line necessary to make the required system-side and customer-side service line material classifications for lead status to comply with federal law. The bill requires any such inspector to maintain a record of such inspections, including the date, time, and result of the inspection, and, further, requires the inspector to inform the customer of the result of the inspection. The bill also requires the locality or water authority to deliver notice to the customer at least 14 days prior to the inspection. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2028.
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 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Subcommittee #3 Subcommittee Substitute Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 12, 2026
MINOR
This bill finalizes changes to HB 1149, adding a sunset date of July 1, 2028, and updating formatting. It also adds a requirement for water providers to give customers at least 14 days' notice before inspecting water service lines for lead status, allowing notice via mail, email, text, phone, or door hanger.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on water supply inspection and authority powers, but the addition of a sunset date limits the duration of the new inspection notice requirements.
TIMELINE

Added a sunset provision stating that the act's provisions expire on July 1, 2028.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for water localities and authorities to provide at least 14 days' notice to customers before inspecting water service lines for lead status, specifying acceptable methods of delivery.

TECHNICAL

Updated formatting to reflect the bill's final enrolled status and corrected section numbering for authority powers.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

390
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
28
Key actions
12
Committee
8
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 744 (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 (HB1149ER)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-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 (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Local Government
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
House committee offered
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #3
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors