New Law Effective July 1, 2026

Please be aware of the following changes to Virginia law that become effective on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Buyer Beware: Military Ground Installation
SB577 – Senator Bryce E. Reeves

  • Signed by the Governor on April 8, 2026
  • Effective July 1, 2026

The buyer beware statement will now include a notice that the buyer should do their own due diligence regarding a property’s proximity to any military ground installation.

Increasing Consumer Choice in Septic Inspection
HB1178 &  SB401 – Delegate Kimberly Pope Adams & Senator Emily Jordan

  • Passed Both Chambers Unanimously
  • Signed by the Governor on April 6, 2026
  • Effective 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.

New Laws Effective January 1, 2027

Please be aware of the following changes to Virginia law, which have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.

Limit Homeowner’s Insurance Cancellations and Refusals Due to Roof Age
HB677 & SB402 – Delegate Michelle Maldonado & Sen Scott Surovell

  • Passed Both Chambers Unanimously
  • Signed by the Governor on April 13, 2026
  • Effective 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.

Deed Fraud Prevention
HB163 & SB316 – Delegate Marcus Simon & Senator Travis Hackworth

  • Passed Both Chambers Unanimously, with funding included in both House and Senate adopted budgets
  • Signed by the Governor on April 8, 2026
  • Various effective dates from January 1, 2027 for some curriculum changes and July 1, 2027 for the property alert notification system

Following a year-long statewide workgroup, this bill strengthens protections against deed fraud and title theft by enhancing notary training, establishing a free property alert notification system at local clerks’ offices, and tightening identity verification at key points in the transaction.