# Virginia SB386: Owners of sewage treatment works; land application, marketing, or distributing of sewage sludge.

Virginia SB386, Owners of sewage treatment works; land application, marketing, or distributing of sewage sludge., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Richard H. Stuart (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0854)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB386-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB386
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Owners of sewage treatment works; land application, marketing, or distributing of sewage sludge.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0854)
- Sponsor: Richard H. Stuart (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 9 (228 yes, 35 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 11

## Summary

Owners of sewage treatment works; land application, marketing, or distribution of sewage sludge; perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; testing requirements. Directs any owner of a sewage treatment works land applying, marketing, or distributing sewage sludge in the Commonwealth, beginning January 1, 2027, to collect representative samples of the sewage sludge intended to be land applied, marketed, or distributed and have such samples analyzed by an accredited laboratory for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill mandates certain outcomes for the land application of such sewage sludge depending on the concentration of PFAS in such sewage sludge. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality to modify all Virginia Pollution Abatement permits for the land application of sewage sludge and Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for sewage treatment works that include sewage sludge prepared for land application, marketing, or distribution as soon as practicable. The bill requires the Department to utilize the PFAS Expert Advisory Committee (PEAC) or convene a work group to study and recommend approaches to reduce the occurrence of PFAS in sewage sludge intended for land application within the Commonwealth. The Department is required to report the recommendations of the PEAC or work group to the Governor and the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by November 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 1443.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Advance sludge notices and surprise inspections: benefit, low. Permit holders must notify local officials at least 100 days before sludge application and the state at least 14 days ahead. Both notices must identify sites and expected sludge sources. One local notice can cover all available permitted sites, and sites crossing county lines require notice to ever…
- Sludge operators pay permit and tonnage fees: cost, low. An initial sludge permit costs $5,000. Existing-site permit reissuance, amendments, or modifications cost no more than $1,000 and can be charged only for holder-initiated actions. The state must set a fee per dry ton of land-applied sludge by regulation; the law gives no per-ton amount. Land applie…
- Contaminated sludge faces phased use limits: mixed, medium. Beginning July 2, 2027, limits apply to either PFOS or PFOA; beginning July 2, 2029, they apply to the combined amount. A rolling 12-month average of at least 50 micrograms per kilogram bars land application, marketing, and distribution. Owners must arrange alternative treatment, use, or disposal u…
- Sludge handlers need permits and consent: mixed, medium. Sewage treatment owners need a valid state water permit to apply, market, or distribute sludge. Sludge handlers also need a current permit covering their activities, locations, and terms before contracting for this work. Applications must include the landowner’s written consent. Sludge must meet tr…
- Sludge permit holders must cover damages: mixed, medium. Sludge land-application permit applicants and holders must provide written proof of financial responsibility. Funds must be available for cleanup, personal-injury claims, and property damage from transportation, storage, or application. The State Water Control Board sets acceptable financial arrang…
- Sludge sites face added safety rules: mixed, medium. Virginia must set sludge rules covering treatment, suitable sites, storage, sampling, records, complaints, and public input. Certified planners must prepare site-specific nutrient plans before application; higher-risk sites need conservation-agency approval before permit issuance. Health and conser…
- Residents can request paid sludge testing: mixed, low. You can make a timely request naming a specific site for sludge testing before land application. The state must collect a sample, send it to a lab, review the results, and share them with you. Tests must cover trace elements, coliform bacteria, and pH. You pay the sampling, testing, and analysis co…
- Local sludge monitors get reimbursable training: mixed, low. Virginia localities can adopt ordinances to test and monitor sludge application for compliance. The state must train local employees in sampling, application rules, nutrient plans, complaints, enforcement, public communication, and reimbursement requests. Employees must finish training before local…
- Local sludge storage rules protect farms: mixed, low. Localities can reasonably restrict or designate sludge storage through zoning and require special-use permits, including in agricultural districts. They cannot restrict farm storage used solely for application on that farm when storage lasts no more than 45 days. Since July 1, 2007, storage permit…
- Treatment plants must test sludge chemicals: mixed, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, treatment works that apply, market, or distribute sludge in Virginia must test representative samples for PFAS chemicals. Accredited labs must use EPA Method 1633, an applicable revision, or another EPA-approved method allowed by the state. Testing is monthly through Dece…
- Public colleges get temporary sludge exemption: mixed, low. Virginia public colleges can apply sludge for research on land they own and operate without the article’s permits. They must notify the environmental agency and every adjoining property owner at least 30 days before application. Setback and recordkeeping requirements still apply. The exemption ends…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Richard H. Stuart (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-10 | Senate | House substitute with amendments agreed to by Senate | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-06 | House | Passed House with substitute with amendments | pass | 86 | 12 |   |
| 2026-02-25 | House | Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute | pass | 22 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-17 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 27 | 13 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 35 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute | pass | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 8 | 7 |   |

## Actions (47)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0854) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 854 (Effective - see bill) (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB386) (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB386ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: House substitute with amendments agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB386) (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Passed House with substitute with amendments (86-Y 12-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-06: Engrossed by House - committee substitute as amended (House)
- 2026-03-06: Delegate Lopez Floor amendments agreed to (House)
- 2026-03-06: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-03-06: Read third time (House)
- 2026-03-05: Passed by for the day (House)
- 2026-03-04: Passed by for the day (House)
- 2026-03-03: Passed by for the day (House)
- 2026-03-02: Passed by for the day (House)
- 2026-03-02: Floor Offered (House)
- 2026-03-02: Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-27: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-25: Committee substitute printed 26108629D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-25: House committee offered (House)
- 2026-02-25: Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (22-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-24: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (House)
- 2026-02-24: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-24: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed Senate (27-Y 13-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Committee substitute printed 26107999D-S2 (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Committee substitute printed 26107670D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 3-N 2-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB386) (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Fiscal Impact statement From CLG (2/6/2026 9:59 am) (Senate)
- 2026-01-27: Assigned HACNR sub: Water Usage (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105231D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1223000.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222999.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209925.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209924.PDF)
- Amendment, 2026-03-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1198338.HTML)
- Amendment, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187733.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-02-25: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179559.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179309.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179308.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179558.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148373.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148372.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143180.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143179.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138880.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138879.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089873.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089872.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1223000.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222999.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209925.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209924.PDF)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1198338.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187733.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179559.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179309.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179308.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179558.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148373.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148372.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143180.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143179.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138880.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138879.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089873.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089872.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB386-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).