VirginiaSB6832026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Public waterworks; appointment of receiver for waterworks.

Sponsored By: Bryce E. Reeves (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Appointment of receiver for waterworks; public waterworks. Allows the Commissioner of Health to petition the circuit court for the jurisdiction in which any public or private waterworks is located for the appointment of a receiver for such waterworks. Currently such appointment of receivership is only for private waterworks.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Quick court action on unsafe private water systems

The State Health Commissioner can ask a circuit court to appoint a receiver for a private water system when it cannot provide pure, safe water. Grounds include unsafe or unreliable water, too little capacity, ignored orders, abandonment, a forfeiture order, or an emergency that threatens health. The court holds a hearing within 10 days, where the Commissioner and the owner can present evidence. The court may appoint a receiver only if it finds one or more of those problems, and that they will not be fixed and customers’ health will not be protected without a receiver. The court can also issue injunctions to protect public health or the system’s assets.

Receiver runs failing private water systems

Once appointed, the receiver takes control of the water system and runs it in the customers’ best interest. The court sets the receiver’s powers, including handling money and filing reports, under standard receivership rules. The receiver stays in charge until the court decides to return it to the owner, transfer it to a new owner, or set another plan that best protects customers. The court can end the receivership after a hearing when the problems are fixed, and the receiver must file a full report within 30 days. The receiver is not liable for old problems and is only personally liable for gross negligence or intentional acts; the owner keeps their legal duties and liabilities for their own acts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bryce E. Reeves

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 7

House vote 3/3/2026

Passed House

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services

Yes: 19 • No: 2

House vote 2/24/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 6 • No: 4

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Committee amendment agreed to (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Reported from Education and Health with amendment

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0517)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 517 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB683)

    3/9/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB683ER)

    3/9/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/9/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  10. Passed House (97-Y 1-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026House
  11. Read third time

    3/3/2026House
  12. Read second time

    3/2/2026House
  13. Reported from Health and Human Services (19-Y 2-N)

    2/26/2026House
  14. Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 4-N)

    2/24/2026House
  15. Assigned sub: Health

    2/17/2026House
  16. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

    2/9/2026House
  17. Read first time

    2/9/2026House
  18. Placed on Calendar

    2/9/2026House
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB683)

    2/4/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/3/2026Senate
  21. Committee amendment agreed to (Voice Vote)

    2/2/2026Senate
  22. Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/2/2026Senate
  23. Read second time

    2/2/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/30/2026Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/30/2026Senate

Bill Text

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