Update

Consumer and Housing Protections Moving in the 2026 General Assembly

2026 Legislation on the Move

Published February 3, 2026

As the General Assembly moves into the second half of the session, lawmakers are advancing a slate of bills that would strengthen protections for consumers and renters across Virginia—particularly for people already struggling to make ends meet.

On the consumer protection front, legislators are moving bills that would curb extreme wage and bank account garnishment practices. These proposals focus on a simple idea: even when someone owes a debt, they should still be able to keep enough of their paycheck and bank balance to cover necessities like rent, groceries, transportation, and utilities. Lawmakers are also considering legislation that would allow consumers harmed by unlawful practices to bring state-level class actions—an accountability tool that can matter when individual claims are too small to pursue alone.

At the same time, housing bills advancing in both chambers aim to reduce unnecessary evictions and strengthen tenant protections. Measures moving this session would require payment plans in certain situations, increase the time tenants have to catch up on rent before eviction proceedings begin, expand protections against retaliation, allow local enforcement of key landlord-tenant provisions, and remove barriers for low-income tenants seeking to appeal eviction cases.

Many of these proposals are still moving through committees or awaiting action in the opposite chamber. VPLC advocates continue to monitor this legislation and provide technical expertise as the session unfolds.

TRACK 2026 LEGISLATION HERE: LIS

Legislation Updates

CONSUMER PROTECTIONS:

1. HB 449 (Simon) — Class actions under state law
Creates a clearer path for harmed consumers to bring state-level class actions in certain cases, improving access to accountability when widespread harm occurs in small-dollar amounts.
Where it stands: Passed the House; now moving to the other chamber.
Patron: Dan I. Simon

2. SB 229 (Surovell) — Class actions under state law
Senate version of state class-action authority for consumer-related claims.
Where it stands: Reported from Senate Courts of Justice (committee vote recorded).
Patron: Scott A. Surovell

3. HB 488 (Hernandez) — Wage garnishment limits for state tax debt
Limits how much can be taken from a paycheck to repay state tax debt, so that repayment does not wipe out an entire paycheck.
Where it stands: Passed the House.
Patron: Phil Hernandez

4. SB 597 (Aird) — Treasurer lien wage-garnishment limits
Limits a treasurer’s lien on wages/salary for unpaid taxes and charges to 25% of disposable earnings per pay period (with certain exceptions).
Where it stands: Passed the Senate (floor vote recorded).
Patron: Jennifer L. Aird

5. HB 1100 (Hernandez) — Treasurer lien wage-garnishment limits (House companion)
House companion to SB 597 with similar limits on treasurers’ wage liens.
Where it stands: Moving through House Courts of Justice (subcommittee action recorded).

6. HB 601 (Hernandez) — Protecting exempt funds and a minimum bank balance
Would require financial institutions to apply key exemptions more automatically and protect a minimum balance (described in bill materials as a minimum protected account balance), helping prevent destabilizing account freezes that can cascade into missed rent or utility bills.
Where it stands: In the House Courts of Justice process (subcommittee vote recorded).

HOUSING STABILITY:

1. SB 290 (Aird) — Local enforcement of VRLTA
Expands the ability of localities to enforce key provisions of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) when conditions materially violate legal requirements.
Where it stands: Passed the Senate (floor vote recorded).

2. HB 14 (Price) — Local enforcement of VRLTA
House companion to SB 290 on local enforcement authority under VRLTA.
Where it stands: Moving in the House (engrossment/action reflected on tracking pages).
Patron: Cia M. Price

3. SB 48 (Rouse) — 14-day pay-or-quit timeline
Increases the waiting period before a landlord can pursue certain remedies for nonpayment—from five days to 14 days—giving tenants more time to catch up and avoid eviction filings.
Where it stands: Passed the Senate (per advocates’ tracking; see LIS page for latest action).
Patron: Aaron R. Rouse

4. HB 15 (Price) — 14-day pay-or-quit timeline (House version)
House version of the 14-day timeline change for nonpayment-related notices/remedies.
Where it stands: Passed the House and referred onward (LIS/tracking reflects movement).

5. HB 95 (Bennett-Parker) — Required payment plan offer
Requires certain landlords to offer an option for a payment plan in qualifying situations (generally framed as once per lease term), intended to prevent evictions where a structured repayment can resolve the arrears.
Where it stands: Passed the House (engrossment/action reflected on tracking pages).
Patron: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker

6. HB 329 (McClure) — Stronger protections against landlord retaliation
Expands the list of actions treated as retaliatory conduct by a landlord, strengthening protections for tenants who assert rights or raise habitability issues.
Where it stands: Passed the House (per advocates’ tracking; see LIS page for most current action).
Patron: Betsy B. Carr McClure

7. HB 221 (Hope) — Appeal bond relief for indigent tenants
Removes the appeal bond requirement for qualifying indigent tenants appealing certain eviction judgments for nonpayment, reducing barriers to accessing review while still addressing ongoing rent obligations during appeal.
Where it stands: Passed the House (per legislative tracking; see LIS page for current posture).
Patron: Patrick A. Hope

Important Note:
Bill language can change through substitute amendments. The LIS links above reflect the most current official text and actions as posted by the General Assembly.