House passes bill giving localities authority to enforce landlord health and safety rules

House Bill 1718 was called on the House floor Jan. 17 and, after sponsor remarks, the House agreed to engross the bill and pass it to third reading.

Delegate Dahlia Price of Newport News presented the bill, arguing it would give localities authority to enforce the health and safety provisions of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and help tenants obtain repairs and code compliance. "When you hear landlord, I would love for you to hear slumlord because that is really who we are targeting," Delegate Dahlia Price said on the floor, urging passage to third reading.

Price told the chamber the bill is identical to last year's House Bill 597, drew bipartisan support last session, and was supported by more than 40 organizations representing renters and landlords. The sponsor said the bill promotes tenant protections, encourages conciliation between tenants and landlords, and increases landlord compliance with health and safety standards.

After the sponsors remarks, the clerk called for a voice vote on whether the bill should be engrossed and passed to third reading. The bill was recorded as "engrossed and passed to its 3rd reading" by voice vote; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally. Minimal on-the-floor debate was recorded in the transcript beyond the sponsors statement.

The bill moves to third reading for final consideration; the transcript contains no further floor action on HB 1718 during this session.