HB 183 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

First-time home buyer savings plan; townhouses, principal limits.

Summary

First-time home buyer savings plan; townhouses; principal limits. Includes townhouses in the definition of single-family residence for purposes of the First-Time Home Buyer Savings Plan Act. The bill also increases (i) the aggregate amount of principal that can be contributed to a first-time home buyer savings account from $50,000 to $100,000 and (ii) the limit on the amount of principal and interest or other income on the principal that may be retained in such an account from $150,000 to $200,000. The bill defines first-time home buyer, and includes that term in the definition of qualified beneficiary.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Last action Feb 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Appropriations Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its original introduction to a substitute version by the Appropriations Committee. The most significant changes involve expanding eligibility for first-time home buyers to include married couples filing jointly and widowed individuals, while also increasing the principal contribution and retention limits for the savings accounts. These modifications aim to broaden access to the tax-advantaged savings plan for more Virginians seeking to purchase their first home.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from only single individuals to include married couples filing jointly and widowed individuals who previously owned a home with a spouse.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the definition of 'first-time home buyer' to include married individuals filing jointly who have no ownership interest in a single-family residence as a principal residence during the three-year period preceding purchase.

Added provision that widowed individuals who previously owned a home jointly with a spouse are now eligible if they are purchasing a single-family residence independently due to the death of their spouse or dissolution of marriage.

FISCAL

Increased the aggregate principal limit for first-time home buyer savings accounts from $50,000 to $100,000 per account.

Increased the maximum amount of principal and interest that may be retained within an account from $150,000 to $200,000.

DEFINITION

Updated the 'qualified beneficiary' definition to clarify that individuals must either have never owned a single-family residence or be first-time home buyers.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

84–2

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 88

Feb 3, 2026

D Democratic53

52 Yea 1

98% Yea

R Republican35

32 Yea 2 Nay 1

91% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (96-Y 2-N 0-A)

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

House committee offered

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Appropriations with substitute (16-Y 5-N)

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Committee

Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

lower

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Appropriations

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors