Bill
Bill > HB1358
summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
02/25/2026
02/25/2026
Crossed Over
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Passed
03/04/2026
03/04/2026
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Real property tax; special assessment for land use; notice requirements; civil penalty. Establishes notice requirements for the sale of real estate that is valued, assessed, and taxed by a locality under a special assessment on the basis of use. The bill directs the Department of Taxation to create a written notice that may be provided to the purchaser of real estate in a land use program. The notice must include disclosures regarding the special classification of the real estate and liability for roll-back taxes if a change in use occurs. The bill also requires settlement agents to provide this written notice to purchasers of real estate in a land use program and to obtain the purchaser's written acknowledgement of receipt of the notice. The willful failure of a settlement agent to provide the notice and obtain the written acknowledgement will subject the settlement agent to a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding $250. The bill directs the Real Estate Board to include in the residential property disclosure statement on its website a statement that the owner makes no representations or warranties with respect to whether the property is located in a locality that has adopted a land-use plan that may provide use value assessment and taxation for certain real estate and that advises purchasers to exercise due diligence to determine whether the property may be subject to roll-back taxes and interest for taxation on the basis of a use assessment and the liability for additional taxes and penalties that may attach if a change in use occurs. Finally, the bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.
AI Summary
This bill, effective January 1, 2027, requires settlement agents (individuals or companies handling the closing of real estate transactions) to provide purchasers with a written notice if the property is part of a "land-use program." These programs allow localities to assess and tax real estate based on its current use rather than its market value, often resulting in lower property taxes for agricultural or undeveloped land. The notice must inform the buyer that if they change the use of the property to something that no longer qualifies for the special assessment, they could be liable for "roll-back taxes," which are the difference between the taxes paid under the special assessment and what would have been paid based on market value, plus interest and potential penalties. Settlement agents must obtain the buyer's written acknowledgment of receiving this notice, and failure to do so, if willful, can result in a civil penalty of up to $250. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Real Estate Board's website will include a statement on the residential property disclosure form advising buyers to conduct their own due diligence to determine if a property is in a locality with a land-use plan and could be subject to these roll-back taxes.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Signed by President (on 03/04/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1358 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1358/text/HB1358ER |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (2/18/2026 6:29 pm) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1169664.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1358/text/HB1358H1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1358/text/HB1358HC2 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1358/text/HB1358HC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (1/31/2026 7:06 pm) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105391.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1358/text/HB1358 |
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