SB 597 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Wage garnishments; treasurers' liens for unpaid taxes and charges.

Summary
Wage garnishments; treasurers' liens for unpaid taxes and charges. Limits a treasurer's lien issued with respect to wages or salary to 25 percent of the delinquent taxpayer's disposable earnings in a single pay period. The 25 percent limitation shall not apply (i) if the lien issuer determines that the adjusted gross income of the delinquent taxpayer exceeds 250 percent of the poverty guideline amount adjusted for household size; (ii) if the treasurer determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that the delinquent taxpayer or the property assessed with such taxes is no longer in the jurisdiction, or the taxpayer is attempting to flee the jurisdiction or is improperly disposing of assets with the intent to hinder or delay the collection of the delinquent taxes; or (iii) to any portion of the delinquent obligation collected by the delinquent taxpayer and held in trust to remit to the local governing authority. This bill is identical to HB 1100.
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Vetoed
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Vetoed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

General Laws and Technology Substitute Enrolled · 5 edits · Feb 24, 2026
MODERATE
This bill updates Virginia's wage garnishment and tax lien laws to align with federal standards and modernize enforcement procedures. The primary changes include expanding the minimum wage protection threshold for garnishments to include Virginia's state minimum wage (not just the federal rate), clarifying definitions to explicitly exclude treasurer's liens from standard garnishment rules, and updating fee structures for tax liens. These changes ensure employees earning the state minimum wage receive greater protection from wage deductions while streamlining how tax debts are collected from third parties.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of wage protection by applying Virginia's state minimum wage calculation to garnishment limits, whereas previously only the federal minimum wage was considered. It also clarifies that treasurer's liens for unpaid taxes operate under different rules than standard debt garnishments.
ELIGIBILITY

Increased wage protection for low-income employees by requiring garnishment limits to be calculated based on the greater of the federal or Virginia state minimum hourly wage, rather than just the federal rate.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'garnishment' to explicitly exclude treasurer's liens issued for unpaid taxes, clarifying that tax collection follows a separate legal process.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the minimum wage reference in tax lien calculations from the federal minimum to the Virginia state minimum wage, ensuring consistent protection for state employees.

FISCAL

Adjusted the fee charged to third parties receiving tax liens from twenty dollars to a specific credit against the debt, clarifying the financial impact on the recipient.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the structure of the tax lien section to improve clarity on how liens are applied to wages and the rights of recipients.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 30, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

How they voted

370
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 39
Jan 30, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
17 Yea 2
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
9
Committee
5
Apr 13, 2026
Vetoed
Governor's recommendation received by Senate
executive
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB597ER)
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (83-Y 14-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Lashrecse Aird
Lashrecse Aird
DDemocratic
VA
13