Committee hears bill to speed landlord returns when active-duty military must reclaim primary residence

Delegate April Chisholm introduced House Bill 229 to the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 29, 2025, saying the bill would shorten the time military members and their spouses wait to regain their primary residence after being sent home on military orders.

The bill applies only to “holdover” leases — cases where a tenant remains past a lease term — and would require that a military member or spouse planning to occupy the property as a primary residence do so within 30 days of returning. HB 229 would require a hearing be held within 45 days after filing, and it would permit a private process server to complete service if the sheriff cannot meet the existing 10‑day service window specified in current statute.

Supporters described frequent, disruptive moves and the family burdens of…