VirginiaHB12172026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Keeper of livery stable; liens, requirements.

Sponsored By: Delores Oates (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Keeper of livery stable; liens; requirements. Creates a process by which any person that boards, pastures, or otherwise keeps any horse, cattle, or other animal pursuant to an agreement with the owner of such horse, cattle, or other animal may impose a possessory lien for the reasonable charges due for such animal's care, feeding, and maintenance, which includes a provision for the lienholder to retain possession of the animal for 30 days until certain conditions are met and a procedure for the owner of the animal to dispute such lien. The bill also provides that if no such action has occurred upon the expiration of the 30 days, the lienholder may proceed with enforcing the lien as provided by current law.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Animal boarding liens and owner rights

Boarding barns and pastures have a lien for reasonable care, feeding, and maintenance charges. They can hold the animal for up to 30 days unless paid, both sides agree in writing to more time, or a court orders otherwise. Owners who dispute the lien can file in local general district court, and the court holds a hearing within 10 business days. The court can order the animal returned, require partial payment or a bond, and award damages and attorney fees if the lien was in bad faith. The lien is not enforceable unless the keeper sends certified-mail notice to the owner within 10 days, naming the animal, the charges, and a summary of services.

Boat and plane lien caps and notices

Marinas, hangars, and tie-downs have a lien and may hold boats or aircraft for towing, storage, recovery, and care until charges are paid. If a recorded security interest exists, storage is capped at $500 and alteration/repair at $1,000. To get priority for storage over $300 (up to $500), the keeper must try a phone notice and send certified mail within seven business days of taking possession; if the secured party does not take or refuse redelivery within seven business days after receiving notice, the keeper gets priority up to $500. Towing and recovery providers also have a lien for normal costs if they mail certified notice within seven days to all secured parties of record at the Department of Wildlife Resources. After superior liens are paid, the keeper can claim any remaining proceeds and may keep possession until charges are paid.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Delores Oates

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 266 • No: 16

House vote 3/11/2026

Senate amendments agreed to by House

Yes: 95 • No: 4

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 87 • No: 10

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 21 • No: 1

House vote 2/4/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0753)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 753 (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 (HB1217ER)

    3/30/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Senate amendments agreed to by House (95-Y 4-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House
  10. Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Passed Senate with amendments Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  14. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate
  15. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  16. Rules suspended

    3/9/2026Senate
  17. Senate committee offered

    3/5/2026Senate
  18. Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (14-Y 0-N)

    3/5/2026Senate
  19. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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

    2/18/2026Senate
  21. Read third time and passed House (87-Y 10-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  22. Read second time and engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  24. Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 1-N)

    2/11/2026House
  25. Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

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