The 2020 Virginia General Assembly kicked off this week with a flurry of activity and historical firsts as the newly minted Democratic majorities in the House and Senate took control. New Majorities mean new leadership, new committee assignments, and thousands of new bills for the legislators to consider.

Over the coming weeks, the Virginia REALTORS® Government Relations Team and Public Policy Committee will vet thousands of pieces of legislation to determine any potential impact on you, your business, and your clients.

Legislation ranges in topics covering affordable housing, zoning, landlord-tenant laws, transaction disclosures and regulatory compliance. We’ll support those bills that are positive, oppose those that are harmful, and try to fix those that are well-intentioned, but may need a little work.

You can help in this effort by letting us know your thoughts or concerns on legislation related to real estate. A helpful website to research legislation and track the status of committees is Virginia’s Legislative Information System. You can also watch live videos of committee meetings and the House and Senate floor sessions.

Virginia REALTORS® has always committed to working with policy makers and stakeholders to develop balanced approaches that protect property rights, benefit real estate consumers, create stable housing opportunities, and promote vibrant communities throughout Virginia.

Check this space every Friday throughout the General Assembly Session for updates on bills important to you. Also, we’ll keep you posted on breaking news via Virginia REALTORS® social media channels.

*Information accurate as of Friday, January 10, 2020