Virginia 2023 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate

SB 838 — Vacant building; registration.

Last action — Failed to report (defeated) in Counties, Cities and Towns (10-Y 10-N)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

34 added · 26 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of SB 838 includes changes to how local governments can handle vacant buildings. Now, towns like Clifton Forge and Pulaski can impose a $200 penalty if owners fail to register their vacant properties annually, whereas the previous version allowed for a fine up to $400. The bill also adds specific criteria for properties deemed "derelict" or a "criminal blight," making it clearer which buildings need to be registered. This matters because it aims to encourage property owners to address vacant buildings, potentially improving public safety and community appearance.

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SESSION INTRODUCED 23102458D I SENATE BILL NO.
SESSION SENATE SUBSTITUTE 23105831D AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Senate Committee on Local Government on January 30, 2023) A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-1127 of the Code of Virginia, relating to vacant buildings;
838 Offered January 11, 2023 N Prefiled December 27, 2022 T A Bregistration.and reenact § 15.2-1127 of the Code of Virginia, relating to vacant buildings;
registration.
R –––––––––– Patron––Locke O –––––––––– D Referred to Committee on Local Government U Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
That § 15.2-1127 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 15.2-1127.
C § 15.2-1127.
civil penalty.
civil penalty.eenacted as follows:
E The Town of Clifton Forge, the Town of Pulaski, in a conservation and rehabilitation district of the buildings that have been vacant for a continuous period of 12 months or more, and which meet the definition of "derelict building" under § 15.
The Town of Clifton Forge, the Town of Pulaski, in a conservation and rehabilitation district of the town, the Town of Timberville, and any city, by ordinance, may require the owner or owners of definition of "derelict building" under § 15.
2-907.1, and that may endanger the public health, safety, or welfare to register such buildings on an annual basis and may impose an annual registration fee not to exceed $100 to defray the cost of processing such registration.
2-907.1, (ii) which meet the definition of "criminal blight" under § 15.2-907, or (iii) in which a locality has determined a person is living without the authority of the owner or owners to register such buildings on an annual basis and may impose an annual E buildings shall be on forms designated by the locality and filed with the agency designated by theration of locality.
The registration of buildings shall be on forms designated by the locality and filed with the agency designated by the locality.
Failure to register shall be a $200 civil penalty;
Failure to register designated by the governing body, or in other areas designated as blighted pursuant to § 36-49.1:1, shall be punishable by a civil penalty not exceeding $400.
however, failure to register in conservation and rehabilitation districts designated by the governing body, or in other areas designated as bligAted mailed to the owner or owners, at the address to which property tax notices are sent, at least T0 days prior to the assessment of the civil penalty.
Notice shall be mailed to the owner or ownSrs, at the address to which property tax notices are sent, at least 30 days prior to the assessment of8the civil penalty.
E S U B S T I T / U T E S 8 1
8 :
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Action History

  1. Failed to report (defeated) in Counties, Cities and Towns (10-Y 10-N)

  2. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (9-Y 0-N)

  3. House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  4. Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2

  5. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

  6. Read first time

  7. Placed on Calendar

  8. Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

  9. Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

  10. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB838S1

  11. Committee substitute agreed to 23105831D-S1

  12. Reading of substitute waived

  13. Read second time

  14. Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

  15. Committee substitute printed 23105831D-S1

  16. Reported from Local Government with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

  17. Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  18. Referred to Committee on Local Government

  19. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/23 23102458D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

housing
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 838?
SB 838 is sponsored by Mamie E. Locke.
What is the current status of SB 838?
This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 838?
Track SB 838 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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