Eminent domain; condemnation proceedings, entry of order and recordation of certificate.
Summary
Eminent domain; condemnation proceedings; entry of order and recordation of certificate; disbursement of funds by circuit court clerk. Provides that the clerk of a circuit court shall, upon entry of an order in a condemnation proceeding and unless otherwise directed, promptly disburse any just compensation in the amount specified in such order and any interest accrued. The bill provides that the clerk shall disburse such funds no later than seven business days after the entry of the order or the receipt of the sum that such order directs the clerk to disburse, whichever is later. The bill also provides that counsel in a condemnation action may request, and the clerk, sheriff, or other person responsible for notifying jurors to appear in court for a trial shall make available, a copy of the jury panel to be used for such trial. The bill also requires that on the same day the certificate is recorded in the land records, it shall also be filed with the clerk.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026
Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Mar 10, 2026
MODERATE
This bill amends Virginia's eminent domain laws to clarify how courts must handle the timing of just compensation payments and to streamline the filing process for condemnation certificates. It removes conflicting language regarding payment deadlines and adds a requirement for the clerk to assign a single case number for all related filings, ensuring better tracking and transparency.
Scope change
The bill applies to all condemnation proceedings under the specified Code sections, with the new certificate filing requirements taking effect for petitions filed or certificates recorded on or after July 1, 2026.
REQUIREMENT
Removed the word 'immediately' from the requirement for clerks to disburse just compensation, clarifying that payments must be made promptly but within a specific timeframe.
Clarified the deadline for disbursement as exactly seven business days after the later of the order entry or receipt of funds, replacing ambiguous bracketed text.
Added a requirement for the clerk to assign a single case number to the certificate that applies to all subsequent related filings, improving record-keeping and tracking.
ENFORCEMENT
Corrected the filing language for notices of recorded certificates to ensure the notice is properly filed with the clerk alongside the certificate.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 13, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026
How they voted
35–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 39
Feb 13, 2026
D
Democratic20
95% Yea
R
Republican19
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
34
Key actions
13
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 954 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB779ER)
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 26105248D
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mark Obenshain
RRepublican
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