VirginiaHB11492026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Water distribution systems; lead status inspections for water service lines.

Sponsored By: M. Keith Hodges (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Inspection of water distribution systems; lead status inspections for water service lines. Permits any locality that operates a water distribution system or any water authority that operates a water distribution system, or their respective duly authorized agents, to, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter upon the exterior areas of any property, public or private, for the purpose of accessing and inspecting a water service line necessary to make the required system-side and customer-side service line material classifications for lead status to comply with federal law. The bill requires any such inspector to maintain a record of such inspections, including the date, time, and result of the inspection, and, further, requires the inspector to inform the customer of the result of the inspection. The bill also requires the locality or water authority to deliver notice to the customer at least 14 days prior to the inspection. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2028.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Lead pipe checks at homes

Localities and water authorities that run your water system can inspect outside service lines. The goal is to classify lead status under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Inspections happen in the right-of-way or as close as practical. You get at least 14 days' notice by mail, email, text, phone, or a door hanger. They must record the date, time, and result and tell you the result.

These water rules end July 2028

All parts of this law expire on July 1, 2028. Inspection and MTBE testing duties stop on that date unless the law is extended.

Annual MTBE water testing rules

Public water operators test for MTBE at least once a year and keep records. If results exceed 15 parts per billion, they must alert Environmental Quality and Health right away. The state lab division keeps a public list of labs that can test for MTBE. It also serves as a contact for labs seeking accreditation. The division can charge fees for testing it does for water operators. The Board of Health can approve a different schedule when it still protects public health.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • M. Keith Hodges

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 219 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Local Government

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0744)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 744 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1149ER)

    3/11/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/11/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/11/2026Senate
  9. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  10. Read third time

    3/4/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/3/2026Senate
  12. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  13. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  14. Reported from Local Government (15-Y 0-N)

    3/2/2026Senate
  15. Referred to Committee on Local Government

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

    2/18/2026Senate
  17. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

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

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

    2/16/2026House
  20. Read second time

    2/16/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/15/2026House
  22. Committee substitute printed 26107984D-H1

    2/13/2026House
  23. House committee offered

    2/13/2026House
  24. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (21-Y 0-N)

    2/13/2026House
  25. House subcommittee offered

    1/29/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation