VirginiaSB822026 Regular SessionSenate

Clerk fees; secure remote access to nonconfidential court records by certain attorneys.

Sponsored By: Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Clerk fees; secure remote access to nonconfidential court records by certain attorneys. Provides that no clerk shall charge a fee to an attorney for secure remote access to nonconfidential court records when such attorney is certified by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission in the jurisdiction served by such clerk, provided that such attorney is currently appointed to represent a defendant in such jurisdiction and agrees to continue accepting appointments in such jurisdiction. The bill also provides that if, after receiving secure remote access for nonconfidential court records, such attorney (i) is found to have abused such privilege of such secure remote access; (ii) is removed from the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission's court-appointed attorney list; or (iii) ceases to accept appointments for representation from the granting court, the clerk may terminate the agreement granting such secure remote access. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. This bill is identical to HB 520.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

No clerk fees for records and liens

The circuit court clerk does not charge fees for many record tasks. This includes orders of publication; keeping, indexing, and making judgment records public; marking liens satisfied; docketing judgments on forfeited recognizances or bonds; reports to the Central Criminal Records Exchange; recording liens in the miscellaneous lien book; and filing an appraiser’s report. People and businesses using these services pay no clerk fee.

No clerk fees for small bonds

The circuit court clerk cannot charge fees to take a bond, give oaths, or make or copy orders for listed local officials when the bond penalty is $1,000 or less. Covered officials include a judge, magistrate, sheriff, treasurer, commissioner of the revenue, their deputies, an escheator, a supervisor, a guardian, or a conservator. The clerk also does not charge for orders about county allowances or grand juries, or for the needed oaths.

Veterans record filings are free

Clerks do not charge to copy or record a veteran’s induction or discharge records, or certified discharge copies. Clerks also do not charge to record required reports by special receivers and commissioners. They do not charge to receive a mark of designation under state law.

No fees for certified criminal judgments

The circuit court clerk does not charge the Department of Corrections or federal probation officers for certified copies of criminal judgment or sentencing orders. These certified documents are free for those agencies.

Free remote records for indigent defenders

Attorneys certified by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission in this court’s area get free secure remote access to nonconfidential court records. They must be currently appointed to represent a defendant here and agree to keep taking appointments. The clerk can end access if the attorney abuses it, is removed from the VIDC list, or stops taking appointments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Saddam Azlan Salim

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 207 • No: 21

House vote 2/23/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/18/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 28 • No: 12

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 4

Senate vote 1/21/2026

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

Yes: 10 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0160)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 160 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  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 (SB82)

    2/26/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB82ER)

    2/24/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    2/24/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    2/24/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/24/2026House
  10. Passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/23/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/20/2026House
  13. Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N)

    2/18/2026House
  14. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/12/2026House
  15. Read first time

    2/12/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/12/2026House
  17. Read third time and passed Senate (28-Y 12-N 0-A)

    2/6/2026Senate
  18. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

    2/5/2026Senate
  19. Engrossed by Senate committee substitute (Voice Vote)

    2/5/2026Senate
  20. Read second time

    2/5/2026Senate
  21. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/4/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026Senate
  23. Rules suspended

    2/4/2026Senate
  24. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)

    2/3/2026Senate
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB82)

    1/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

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