# Virginia SB401: Authorized septic system inspectors; scope of services and requirements for performance, etc.

Virginia SB401, Authorized septic system inspectors; scope of services and requirements for performance, etc., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Emily M. Jordan (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-04-06 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0268)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB401-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB401
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Authorized septic system inspectors; scope of services and requirements for performance, etc.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-04-06, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0268)
- Sponsor: Emily M. Jordan (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 9 (288 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 3

## Summary

Authorized septic system inspectors; scope of services and requirements. Provides that system components are not considered readily accessible if access requires removal of surface material exceeding 30 inches in depth to uncover septic tank access lids, distribution devices, or other inspection ports. The bill specifies that an authorized septic system inspector shall submit a written report to the client within 10 business days from the start of the inspection, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties, which shall also indicate whether the system is operating as intended. The bill removes the requirement that authorized septic system inspectors report the advertised bedroom count or design capacity as listed in the multiple listing service or written statement by the property owner. This bill is identical to HB 1178.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Licensed septic inspectors and upfront contracts: benefit, low. Virginia’s rules cover septic inspections required by lenders, real estate agents, buyers, or other affected parties for sales, refinancing, or title transfers. Only people with a valid Virginia onsite sewage system operator, installer, or soil evaluator license can perform these inspections. Befor…
- Limits on homeowners’ septic inspection services: cost, low. Inspectors cannot give pass-or-fail grades or graded assessments of system function, or run hydraulic load tests that simulate peak daily flow. They need not identify property lines, offer warranties or guarantees, or calculate system strength, adequacy, or efficiency. They also need not clear obst…
- Detailed septic reports with access limits: mixed, low. Inspectors must check accessible, openable tanks, pumps, distribution devices, treatment units, control panels, dispersal fields, and permit-listed parts, plus vegetation, grading, and harmful water entry. They cannot remove surface material more than 30 inches deep to uncover tank lids, distributi…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Emily M. Jordan (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-26 | Senate | House substitute agreed to by Senate | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | House | Passed House with substitute Block Vote | pass | 98 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-19 | House | Reported from General Laws with substitute | pass | 21 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 36 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (39)

- 2026-04-06: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0268) (Governor)
- 2026-04-06: Approved by Governor-Chapter 268 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-03: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB401) (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB401ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-02-26: House substitute agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Passed House with substitute Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-24: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-24: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-24: Read third time (House)
- 2026-02-23: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-20: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB401) (Senate)
- 2026-02-19: Committee substitute printed 26108259D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-19: House committee offered (House)
- 2026-02-19: Reported from General Laws with substitute (21-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-19: Referred to Committee on General Laws (House)
- 2026-02-19: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-19: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-18: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB401) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Blank Action (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (36-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Committee substitute printed 26106779D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-03: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB401) (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105232D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1217190.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1217189.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186712.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186711.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-19: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170612.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170061.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170060.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170611.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142970.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142969.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142553.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142552.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089920.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089919.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/1217190.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1217189.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186712.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186711.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170612.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170061.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170060.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170611.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142970.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142969.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142553.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142552.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089920.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089919.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-SB401-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).