VirginiaHB3312026 Regular SessionHouse

Proceedings deferred; payment of costs.

Sponsored By: Adele Y. McClure (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Payment of costs when proceedings deferred and defendant placed on probation. Provides that for any deferral entered into on or after July 1, 2026, pursuant to relevant law, the court shall not require the defendant to pay such costs or other fees imposed pursuant to relevant law as a term or condition of his deferral. The bill states that upon fulfillment of all other terms and conditions, the court shall adjudicate the matter consistent with the agreement of the parties or, if none, by conviction of an alternative charge or dismissal of the case. The bill specifies that such costs and other fees shall remain due until paid, and all methods of payment and collection already available at law to satisfy or collect any outstanding costs or other fees shall remain available to such court after the underlying case against the defendant has been adjudicated or dismissed.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Virginia deferred cases: costs owed, pay later

When a Virginia circuit or district court defers your case without a guilty finding and puts you on probation under specific laws, it must charge you court costs. Beginning July 1, 2026, the court cannot require you to pay those costs or fees to get the deferral. After you complete all other terms, the court resolves the case as agreed or by an alternate conviction or dismissal. The costs and fees still remain due and can be collected later in the usual ways.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adele Y. McClure

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 237 • No: 96

House vote 3/6/2026

Senate amendment agreed to by House

Yes: 65 • No: 31

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate with amendment

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 5

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 65 • No: 32

House vote 1/28/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute

Yes: 17 • No: 3

House vote 1/21/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0592)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 592 (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. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB331)

    3/13/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB331ER)

    3/13/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/13/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/13/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/13/2026House
  10. Senate amendment agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with amendment (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  12. Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to

    3/4/2026Senate
  13. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/4/2026Senate
  14. Read third time

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

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

    3/3/2026Senate
  17. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  18. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

    3/3/2026Senate
  19. Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)

    2/25/2026Senate
  20. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/4/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/4/2026Senate
  22. Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)

    2/3/2026House
  23. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/2/2026House
  24. committee substitute agreed to

    2/2/2026House
  25. Read second time

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

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