HB 331 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Proceedings deferred; payment of costs.

Summary

Payment of costs when proceedings deferred and defendant placed on probation. Provides that for any deferral entered into on or after July 1, 2026, pursuant to relevant law, the court shall not require the defendant to pay such costs or other fees imposed pursuant to relevant law as a term or condition of his deferral. The bill states that upon fulfillment of all other terms and conditions, the court shall adjudicate the matter consistent with the agreement of the parties or, if none, by conviction of an alternative charge or dismissal of the case. The bill specifies that such costs and other fees shall remain due until paid, and all methods of payment and collection already available at law to satisfy or collect any outstanding costs or other fees shall remain available to such court after the underlying case against the defendant has been adjudicated or dismissed.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 11, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Criminal Subcommittee Substitute → Chaptered · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was finalized and approved for the 2026 session. A minor technical correction was made to clarify that existing legal methods for collecting unpaid costs remain available to courts after a case is dismissed.

TECHNICAL

Added the phrase 'already available at law' to clarify that courts retain all existing legal tools for collecting outstanding costs after a case is resolved.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 592 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB331ER)

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate amendment agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate with amendment (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by Senate as amended

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (17-Y 3-N)

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Committee

Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal

lower

Jan 11, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors