VirginiaSB442026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Cemeteries on private property; registration by localities.

Sponsored By: Danica A. Roem (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Registration by localities of cemeteries on private property. Clarifies that the requirement for the governing body of a locality to publish on its website notice of the public sale of any publicly owned property that contains a known cemetery, graveyard, or other place of burial does not meet the requirement in current law for a newspaper publication of such notice. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Public land sales must note cemeteries

Beginning July 1, 2027, a locality must publish a newspaper notice at least two weeks before selling public land that has a known cemetery. The notice must state that a cemetery is on the property. The locality must also post the notice on its website, but the website post does not replace the newspaper notice. No notice is required when revealing the location could harm a significant historic or archaeological site.

Local registry of private cemeteries with privacy

Beginning July 1, 2027, your city or county can create an official list of cemeteries on private land. It only covers sites not owned by a memorial or monumental association. The register can include a map and be posted online, and the website can list a phone and email to report sites. But locations for sensitive historic or archaeological sites that could be harmed by disclosure are not shared with the public in any format.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Danica A. Roem

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 331 • No: 104

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 29 • No: 10

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 73 • No: 23

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Senate acceded to request Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Counties, Cities and Towns Amendment rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 39

House vote 2/25/2026

Passed House with amendment

Yes: 78 • No: 20

House vote 2/20/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s)

Yes: 19 • No: 2

House vote 2/19/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/22/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 31 • No: 9

Senate vote 1/21/2026

Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/20/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/20/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/19/2026

Reported from Local Government

Yes: 13 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0479)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter479 (Effective 7/1/2027)

    4/8/2026Governor
  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

    3/31/2026Senate
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB44ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by House (73-Y 23-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  11. Conference Report released

    3/14/2026
  12. House Conferees: Sewell, McGuire, Ware

    3/10/2026House
  13. Conferees appointed by House

    3/10/2026House
  14. Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  15. Senate Conferees: Roem, Aird, Hackworth

    3/4/2026Senate
  16. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. House requested conference committee

    3/2/2026House
  18. House insisted on amendments

    3/2/2026House
  19. Counties, Cities and Towns Amendment rejected by Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  20. Passed House with amendment (78-Y 20-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/25/2026House
  22. committee amendment agreed to

    2/25/2026House
  23. Read third time

    2/25/2026House
  24. Read second time

    2/24/2026House
  25. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (19-Y 2-N)

    2/20/2026House

Bill Text

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