VirginiaHB10722026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Sewage sludge; local authority to test and monitor land application within its political boundaries.

Sponsored By: Amy J. Laufer (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Local authority to test and monitor the land application of sewage sludge within its political boundaries. Allows a locality to provide for testing and monitoring for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as defined in relevant law, of the land application of sewage sludge within its political boundaries using an applicable test method established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill prohibits any expenses from such testing and monitoring from being eligible for reimbursement from the Sludge Management Fund.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

New fees and fund for sludge program

The law charges a fee on each dry ton of sludge spread on land. The applicator must tell the generator the estimated fee, collect it, and send it to the Department. It also sets a $5,000 initial permit fee and up to $1,000 for reissues or changes started by the permit holder. Money goes to the Sludge Management Fund to pay for permit processing, state monitoring, and DCR costs. Local testing done under local ordinances, including PFAS testing, is not eligible for reimbursement from this Fund.

Stronger permits and safety rules for sludge

Owners of sewage treatment works must have a valid permit to land apply, market, or distribute sludge. No one may contract to apply sludge without a current permit that lists locations and terms, and applications must include the landowner’s written consent. Sludge must meet treatment standards before delivery; on‑site changes are limited to adding lime or deodorants. The Board sets rules covering permits, treatment, site checks, sampling, records, local notice, nutrient plans, complaint investigations with a public database, public comment, and staging/signage/backup storage. Health and Conservation agencies get 30 days to recommend conditions, and the Department may add site‑specific rules (like buffers, truck routes, slopes, material limits, or time‑of‑day limits) with written notice and at least 14 days for response. Permit holders must show financial responsibility for cleanup, injuries, and property damage, and land disposal of lime‑stabilized and unstabilized septage is banned.

Local testing, training, and early notices

Local governments can require testing and monitoring of land‑applied sludge, including PFAS testing using EPA methods. Permit holders must give the local chief executive 100 days’ written notice before spreading (or a 100‑day advance site list), and must notify the Department 14 days before starting. The Department makes random, unannounced inspections while spreading is in progress. The Department also runs training for local staff on sampling, nutrient plans, complaints, and enforcement. Staff must finish this training before their locality can ask the Board for reimbursement; a refundable fee may apply.

College research gets a permit break

Until July 1, 2030, public colleges and universities can apply sludge for research on land they own without the usual permits. They must notify the Department and all adjoining property owners at least 30 days before starting. They must follow setback and recordkeeping rules in the Virginia Pollution Abatement Permit Regulation.

Residents can request sludge testing

You can ask the Department to collect and test sludge at a site before it is spread. Tests include trace elements, coliform count, and pH. The Department reviews the results and sends them to you. You must pay the sampling and testing costs, and your request must be on time.

Local zoning and bigger buffers for sludge

Local zoning may designate or reasonably limit where sludge can be stored and may require special permits. Farm storage for on‑farm use is exempt if it is only for that farm and stored 45 days or less. Starting July 1, 2007, storage permit or variance applications are incomplete without local certification that the site matches zoning; the locality has 30 days or the site is deemed consistent. Surface incorporation into cropland soil may be required when practical and compatible with an NRCS‑standard soil conservation plan. The Board will set extended buffer distances for hay, pasture, forest, and for cropland where mixing is not practical, which can be used instead of mixing to protect nearby neighbors from odors and risks.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Amy J. Laufer

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 166 • No: 70

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 23 • No: 17

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 11 • No: 4

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 9 • No: 5

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 34

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/9/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 7 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0933)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 933 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1072ER)

    3/30/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  10. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day

    3/9/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  13. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/5/2026Senate
  14. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  15. Rules suspended

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 4-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. Assigned HACNR sub: Water Usage

    2/24/2026Senate
  18. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  19. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

    2/18/2026Senate
  20. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  21. Read third time and passed House (62-Y 34-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  22. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/16/2026House
  23. committee substitute agreed to

    2/16/2026House
  24. Read second time

    2/16/2026House
  25. Read first time

    2/13/2026House

Bill Text

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