Virginia REALTORS® 2026 Legislative Agenda
Protect Early Lease Termination for Retiring Military Personnel
HB174 – Del. Michael Feggans | SB325 – Sen. Russet Perry
STATUS: Signed into law, taking effect July 1, 2026
This legislation removes Virginia’s 60-day lease termination notice requirement for servicemembers, bringing state law into full compliance with the Federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and ensuring military families can respond to orders without penalty.
Deed Fraud Prevention
HB163 – Del. Marcus Simon | SB316 – Sen. Travis Hackworth
STATUS: Signed into law, taking effect July 1, 2026
Following a year-long statewide workgroup, this bill strengthens protections against deed fraud and title theft through enhanced notary training, a free property alert notification system at local clerks’ offices, and tighter identity verification at key points in the transaction.
Limit Homeowner’s Insurance Cancellations and Refusals Due to Roof Age
HB677 – Del. Michelle Maldonado | SB402 – Sen. Scott Surovell
STATUS: Signed into law, taking effect January 1, 2027
This bill prohibits insurers from canceling or non-renewing coverage solely due to the age of an asphalt shingle roof, and restricts predatory contractors from soliciting storm-damage claims without consumer protections. Many of you answered our Call For Action on this one, and your engagement was decisive in achieving unanimous passage against significant industry opposition.
Increasing Consumer Choice in Septic Inspection
HB1178 – Del. Kimberly Pope Adams | SB401 – Sen. Emily Jordan
STATUS: Signed into law, taking effect July 1, 2026
This cleanup bill resolves ambiguities in last year’s septic inspector licensing law, clarifying what constitutes a “readily accessible” component, requiring written inspection reports within 10 business days, and confirming that reports must address whether the system is functioning as intended.
Increase Local Government Workforce Homeownership Grants
HB164 – Del. Josh Thomas | SB328 – Sen. Russet Perry
STATUS: Signed into law, taking effect July 1, 2026
This bill removes the existing $25,000 cap and income restrictions on local government workforce homeownership grants, giving localities greater flexibility to help recruit and retain essential employees. It passed with support from both sides of the aisle.
REALTOR® License Plate Fee Modification
HB1339 – Del. Gretchen Bulova | SB204 – Sen. David Suetterlein
STATUS: Signed into law, taking effect July 1, 2026
This bill converts the REALTOR® specialty license plate to a revenue-sharing plate, directing proceeds to the Virginia REALTORS® Disaster Relief Fund to provide sustainable long-term support for members facing natural disasters.
Streamlining the Real Estate Licensee Application Process
SB613 – Sen. Todd Pillion
STATUS: Signed into law, taking effect July 1, 2026
SB613 was amended in the House to require DPOR to study and map their full process, identify bottlenecks, and report findings to the General Assembly. With concrete data in hand, we can craft targeted legislation to solve the real problem. Our goal has not changed: get new licensees into the market faster.
If you have questions or thoughts about the 2026 Virginia REALTORS® agenda or other Government Relations efforts, please contact our Advocacy Team.