Courts of Justice - Civil Subcommittee Agenda

Chair: Simon, Marcus B.

Last Updated: 01/19/2026 04:11 PM

Meeting Date & Time: 01/21/2026 15 minutes after adjournment of Finance Committee Add to Calendar

Meeting Time Updated

Location: House North Subcommittee Room - 200

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Additional Resource(s):

Video: Archived

Committee Clerk: Annie Johnson (804) 698-1542

DLS Contact: Britt Olwine (804) 698-1815

Block 1

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB185 Mehta Orders closing a proceeding or sealing a record; petitions for review.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 8.01-626 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 8.01-670.3, relating to orders closing a proceeding or sealing a record; petitions for review.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)

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

Nays (1): Kilgore

Last actions:

  • 1/28/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (19-Y 0-N)
  • 1/30/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/2/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/3/2026 - Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/4/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)

HB192 Convirs-Fowler General district courts; jurisdictional limits relating to motor vehicle accidents.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 16.1-77 of the Code of Virginia, relating to general district courts; jurisdictional limits; motor vehicle accidents.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2027

Last actions:

  • 1/19/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 1/20/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB192)
  • 1/21/2026 - Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
  • 1/27/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 1/28/2026 - Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote); Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2027

HB197 Thomas Zoning appeals, board of; appellate jurisdiction upon appeal from the circuit court.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 17.1-405 and 17.1-406 of the Code of Virginia, relating to board of zoning or governing body appeals; residential housing decisions; appellate jurisdiction upon appeal from the circuit court; sunset.

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 2-N)

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

Nays (2): Sullivan, Kilgore

Last actions:

  • 1/21/2026 - House subcommittee offered
  • 1/21/2026 - House subcommittee offered
  • 1/21/2026 - Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 2-N)
  • 1/27/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 1/28/2026 - Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 2-N)

HB198 Thomas Local government; review of decision by board of zoning appeals, procedures for filing petition.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2285 and 15.2-2314 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local governing body; review of decision by board of zoning appeals; procedures for filing petition.

Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)

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

Nays (1): Leftwich

Last actions:

  • 1/27/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 1/28/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (19-Y 0-N)
  • 1/30/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/2/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/4/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)

HB344 Martinez Property under common ownership; creation of easements.

Summary: A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 55.1-303.1, relating to property under common ownership; creation of easements.

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

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

Last actions:

  • 1/27/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 1/28/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (19-Y 0-N)
  • 1/30/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/2/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/4/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

HB440 Mehta Driver's licenses; repeals suspension for nonpayment of child support and unsatisfied judgements.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 5.1-88.3, 5.1-88.9, 46.2-320.1, 46.2-411, 46.2-412, 46.2-708, and 63.2-1916 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-706.2; and to repeal Article 13 (§§ 46.2-417 through 46.2-429) of Chapter 3 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to suspension of driver's licenses and vehicle registrations; child support and certain unsatisfied judgments.

Fiscal Impact

Last actions:

  • 2/11/2026 - Reported and Referred by Committee
  • 2/11/2026 - Reported and Referred by Committee
  • 2/12/2026 - Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human Resources
  • 2/13/2026 - Placed on Appropriations Agenda
  • 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)

HB528 Thornton Compromise of claim for death by wrongful act; approval without a hearing.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 8.01-55 of the Code of Virginia, relating to compromise of claim for death by wrongful act; approval without a hearing.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

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

Last actions:

  • 1/28/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (19-Y 0-N)
  • 1/30/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/2/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/3/2026 - Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/4/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

Block 2

Bill(s) Patron Title
HB163 Simon Notarization, filing, & recordation of certain land records; duties of notary or settlement agent;.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 17.1-258.3:1, 47.1-2, 47.1-5, 47.1-5.1, 47.1-8, 47.1-11, 47.1-14, and 55.1-903 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 47.1-5.2 and 47.1-8.1, relating to notarization, filing, and recordation of certain land records; duties of notary or settlement agent; acknowledgement and satisfactory evidence of identity; requirements for commission or recommission of notary; clerk of circuit court to establish property alert electronic notification system.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)

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

Last actions:

  • 2/2/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/2/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/2/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 2/6/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB163)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/26/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/26/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 2/26/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 2/27/2026 - Read third time

• 2/27/2026 - Passed Senate (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

Related Bills:

SB316 (Hackworth)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)

HB221 Hope Appeals bond; indigent parties, appeal of unlawful detainer.

Summary: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-129 and 16.1-107 of the Code of Virginia, relating to requirements for appeals bond; indigent parties; appeal of unlawful detainer.

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (9-Y 1-N)

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

Nays (1): Leftwich

Last actions:

  • 2/2/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26101270D-E
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)
  • 2/25/2026 - Enrolled
  • 2/25/2026 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB221ER)
  • 2/25/2026 - Signed by Speaker

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/23/2026 - Read third time

• 2/23/2026 - Passed Senate (20-Y 17-N 0-A)

• 2/23/2026 - Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/23/2026 - Passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A)

• 2/25/2026 - Signed by President

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (9-Y 1-N)

HB252 Watts Servient estate; establishes relocation or modification of easement by owner.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 55.1-304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to relocation or modification of easement by owner of servient estate.

Fiscal Impact

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

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

Last actions:

  • 2/2/2026 - committee amendments agreed to
  • 2/2/2026 - Engrossed by House as amended
  • 2/2/2026 - Printed as engrossed 26104063D-E
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 2/19/2026 - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB252)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/4/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Civil

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

HB276 Kilgore Virginia State Bar; rules and regulations relating to schedule of fees for members.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3912 of the Code of Virginia, relating to members of the Virginia State Bar; rules and regulations relating to schedule of fees.

Fiscal Impact

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

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

Last actions:

  • 1/30/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/2/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
  • 2/25/2026 - Senate amendments rejected by House (0-Y 97-N 0-A)
  • 3/2/2026 - House acceded to request

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/23/2026 - Engrossed by Senate as amended

• 2/23/2026 - Passed Senate with amendments Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/23/2026 - Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/27/2026 - Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/27/2026 - Senate insisted on amendments Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

HB445 Simon Debtor's disposable earnings; exemptions form garnishment, exemptions in bankruptcy proceedings.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 34-29 of the Code of Virginia, relating to exemptions from garnishment; exemptions in bankruptcy proceedings; disposable earnings.

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

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

Last actions:

  • 1/27/2026 - Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
  • 1/28/2026 - Reported from Courts of Justice (19-Y 0-N)
  • 1/30/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/2/2026 - Read second time and engrossed
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/27/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

• 2/27/2026 - Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

• 2/27/2026 - Passed by for the day

• 3/2/2026 - Read third time

• 3/2/2026 - Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

HB555 Anderson Signing of pleadings, etc., of a party represented by an attorney; attorney information required.

Summary: A BILL to amend and reenact § 8.01-271.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to signing of pleadings, motions, and other papers of a party; courts of record; certain information required.

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)

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

Last actions:

  • 1/30/2026 - Read first time
  • 2/2/2026 - Read second time
  • 2/2/2026 - committee substitute agreed to
  • 2/2/2026 - Engrossed by House - committee substitute
  • 2/3/2026 - Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

Senate Committee Actions:

• 2/4/2026 - Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

• 2/4/2026 - Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Civil

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)