Courts of Justice - Civil Subcommittee Agenda

Chair: Simon, Marcus B.

Last Updated: 02/02/2026 10:02 AM

Meeting Date & Time: 02/02/2026 30 minutes after adjournment of House Add to Calendar

Meeting Time Updated

Location: House North Subcommittee Room - 200

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Additional Resource(s):

Active item: Meeting Adjourned

Video: Archived

Committee Clerk: 804-698-1542

DLS Contact: (804) 698 - 1815

Block 1

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB342 Martinez Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission; magistrates, availability of complaint forms in courthouses.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 17.1-917 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 19.2 a section numbered 19.2-43.1, relating to the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission; magistrates; availability of complaint forms in courthouses.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 2-N)

Yeas (8): Simon, Sullivan, Maldonado, Reaser, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Thornton, Leftwich

Nays (2): Kilgore, Ballard

Last actions:

  • 2/25/2026 - Enrolled
  • 2/25/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB342ER)
  • 2/25/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB342)
  • 2/25/2026 - Signed by Speaker
  • 3/10/2026 - Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/20/2026 - Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

• 2/20/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 2/23/2026 - Read third time

• 2/23/2026 - Passed Senate (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/25/2026 - Signed by President

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 2-N)

HB364 Dougherty Small claims court; jurisdictional limit.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-195.4, 16.1-122.2, and 16.1-122.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to small claims court; jurisdictional limit.

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

Last actions:

  • 2/2/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 2/3/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 2/4/2026 - Continued to 2027 in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
  • 2/4/2026 - Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Civil

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

HB581 Glass Unauthorized use of voice or likeness; punitive damages, statute of limitations.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 8.01-40 of the Code of Virginia, relating to unauthorized use of voice or likeness; punitive damages; statute of limitations.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 0-N)

Yeas (9): Simon, Maldonado, Reaser, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Thornton, Kilgore, Leftwich, Ballard

Not Voting (1): Sullivan

Last actions:

  • 2/9/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/9/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/10/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 2/16/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB581)
  • 2/23/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB581)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/5/2026 - Rules suspended

• 3/5/2026 - Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

• 3/5/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 3/6/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 3/6/2026 - Passed by for the day

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 0-N)

HB593 Simonds Summons for unlawful detainer; legal resources, plain-language overview of process.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 8.01-126 of the Code of Virginia, relating to summons for unlawful detainer; additional information; legal resources; plain-language overview of process.

Fiscal Impact

Last actions:

  • 2/16/2026 - committee amendments agreed to
  • 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House as amended
  • 2/16/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26103900D-E
  • 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 2/19/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB593)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/18/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/18/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

• 3/9/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice docket for Mar 09, 2026

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)

HB752 Runion Mechanics' liens; liens attaching to property, memorandum of lien.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 43-3, 43-4, and 43-20 of the Code of Virginia, relating to mechanics' liens; liens attaching to property; memorandum of lien.

Last actions:

  • 2/2/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 2/4/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 2/10/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 2/11/2026 - Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Civil

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

HB775 Thornton Removal hearings; foster care, termination of parental rights, status as an Indian child, etc.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-252, 16.1-278.1, 16.1-281, 16.1-282, 16.1-282.1, 16.1-282.2, 16.1-283, and 63.2-910.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to removal hearings; foster care; termination of parental rights; reasonable efforts; definition.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 1-N)

Yeas (7): Simon, Maldonado, Reaser, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Thornton, Leftwich

Nays (1): Ballard

Not Voting (2): Sullivan, Kilgore

Last actions:

  • 2/4/2026 - Reported and Referred by Committee
  • 2/5/2026 - Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human Resources
  • 2/13/2026 - Placed on Appropriations Agenda
  • 2/13/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB775)
  • 2/13/2026 - Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)

Health and Human Resources Subcommittee

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)

HB981 Garrett Criminal cases; prosecutorial misconduct, reasonable costs and attorney fees.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 17.1-626.2, relating to criminal cases; prosecutorial misconduct; reasonable costs and attorney fees.

Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (4-Y 6-N)

Yeas (4): Thornton, Kilgore, Leftwich, Ballard

Nays (6): Simon, Sullivan, Maldonado, Reaser, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie

Last actions:

  • 1/13/2026 - Committee Referral Pending
  • 1/13/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
  • 1/29/2026 - Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
  • 1/29/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 2/2/2026 - Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (4-Y 6-N)

Civil

Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (4-Y 6-N)

HB1119 Nivar Guardianship; copy of appointment, termination, or modification order.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 64.2-2011 and 64.2-2014 of the Code of Virginia, relating to guardianship; copy of appointment, termination, or modification order; Department of Medical Assistance Services.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

Yeas (10): Simon, Sullivan, Maldonado, Reaser, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Thornton, Kilgore, Leftwich, Ballard

Last actions:

  • 2/10/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 2/25/2026 - Enrolled
  • 2/25/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1119ER)
  • 2/25/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1119)
  • 2/25/2026 - Signed by Speaker

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/20/2026 - Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

• 2/20/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 2/23/2026 - Read third time

• 2/23/2026 - Passed Senate (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/25/2026 - Signed by President

Related Bills:

SB216 (Boysko)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

Block 2

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB42 Simon Posting of building permit; identification of mechanics' lien agent.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 43-4.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to posting of building permit; identification of mechanics' lien agent.

Fiscal Impact

Last actions:

  • 2/2/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 2/4/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 2/10/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 2/11/2026 - Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
  • 7/21/2026 - Continued from last session

Civil

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

HB556 Reaser Divorce decrees; reports, includes social security numbers or other control numbers.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 20-91 and 32.1-268 of the Code of Virginia, relating to divorce decrees; reports of divorce; social security numbers or other control numbers.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 1-N)

Yeas (8): Simon, Maldonado, Reaser, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Thornton, Kilgore, Ballard

Nays (1): Leftwich

Not Voting (1): Sullivan

Last actions:

  • 2/9/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/9/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/9/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/9/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB556)
  • 2/10/2026 - Read third time and passed House (86-Y 11-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/11/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/11/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

• 3/5/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice docket for Mar 05, 2026

• 3/5/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 1-N)

HB872 Cousins Portable electronic devices; possession in district or circuit court, policies set by chief judge.

Summary: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 16.1-69.35:4 and 17.1-128.2, relating to possession of a portable electronic device in district or circuit court.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)

Yeas (9): Simon, Sullivan, Maldonado, Reaser, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Thornton, Leftwich, Ballard

Nays (1): Kilgore

Last actions:

  • 2/9/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/10/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 2/23/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB872)
  • 3/2/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB872)
  • 3/4/2026 - Senate substitute agreed to by House (88-Y 6-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/2/2026 - Read third time

• 3/2/2026 - Read third time

• 3/2/2026 - Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

• 3/2/2026 - Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

• 3/2/2026 - Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 17-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

SB83 (Salim)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)

HB1100 Hernandez Wage garnishments; treasurers' liens for unpaid taxes and charges.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-804, 8.01-512.3, 8.01-515, 34-29, and 58.1-3952 of the Code of Virginia, relating to wage garnishments; treasurers' liens for unpaid taxes and charges.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 3-N)

Yeas (7): Simon, Sullivan, Maldonado, Reaser, Keys-Gamarra, Carnegie, Thornton

Nays (3): Kilgore, Leftwich, Ballard

Last actions:

  • 2/9/2026 - committee amendments agreed to
  • 2/9/2026 - Engrossed by House as amended
  • 2/9/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26105187D-E
  • 2/10/2026 - Read third time and passed House (85-Y 13-N 0-A)
  • 2/17/2026 - Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (2/17/2026 8:07 pm)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 3/5/2026 - Committee substitute printed 26108843D-S1

• 3/6/2026 - Rules suspended

• 3/6/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 3/6/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 3/6/2026 - Passed by for the day

Related Bills:

SB597 (Aird)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 3-N)

HB1111 Hernandez Civil litigation; suspension bonds and irrevocable letters of credit upon appeal.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact § 8.01-676.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to civil litigation; suspension bonds and irrevocable letters of credit upon appeal.

Last actions:

  • 2/13/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/16/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/16/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/16/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/17/2026 - Read third time and passed House (69-Y 28-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/18/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/18/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

• 3/9/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice docket for Mar 09, 2026

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)