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Subcommittees report housing and tenant proposals, including right‑of‑first‑refusal and longer landlord waiting periods
Summary
Several housing and tenant bills were reported: HB4 (local right of first refusal to preserve affordable housing) reported 13–6; HB14 expands enforcement authority for localities; HB15 raises the landlord waiting period from 5 to 14 days; HB95 requires mandatory payment plans for small arrears; a block of other housing bills passed unanimously.
A series of housing and tenant bills were reported by subcommittees and the House board during the session, covering affordable housing preservation, landlord–tenant enforcement, mandatory payment plans and reporting requirements for local housing policies.
House Bill 4 (patron Bennett Parker) would authorize localities to adopt an ordinance granting a right of first refusal on publicly supported housing to preserve affordability for at least 15 years; the subcommittee recommended reporting 7–3 and the board reported the bill 13–6.
House Bill 14 (patron Price) would allow a locality to bring an action on behalf of a tenant or occupant when landlord noncompliance creates a fire hazard or serious threat to life, health or safety; the subcommittee recommended reporting 8–2 and the board reported the bill 17–4.
House Bill 15 (patron Price) increases the mandatory waiting period before a landlord may pursue remedies from 5 days to 14 days; the subcommittee recommended reporting 7–3 and the board reported the bill 15–6. Chair remarks noted the proposal had been mentioned in the governor's state address.
House Bill 95 (patron Doug Parker) requires landlords who own more than four units, before terminating a rental agreement for nonpayment when arrears are less than or equal to one month's rent plus contractual late charges, to serve written notice specifying the exact amount owed and offer a mandatory payment plan over up to six months; subcommittee recommended reporting 7–3 and the board reported 16–5.
A block vote passed unanimously (21–0) including HB170 (appraiser anti‑discrimination training substitute), HB329 (adds prohibited retaliatory actions under VRLTA and Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act) and HB356 (expands local housing policy reporting and moves the reporting deadline from Sept. 1 to Aug. 1). HB742 (barbers and cosmetologists) was continued to 2027 after subcommittee discussion.
The bills reported in this session will proceed in the legislative process according to committee referrals and calendar placement; several measures will next be subject to further committee or floor consideration.
