HB 728 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Health, State Board of; permanent pump and haul of sewage, agritourism

Summary
State Board of Health; permanent pump and haul of sewage; agritourism. Requires the State Board of Health to amend regulations to exempt in Planning District 23 the pumping and hauling of sewage associated with an agritourism activity from the prohibition on pumping and hauling sewage on a permanent basis unless done under the auspices and supervision of a government entity when the agritourism activity is unable to establish and maintain a connection to an existing sewer or onsite sewage system.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill exempts agritourism activities in Planning District 23 from the state's ban on permanently pumping and hauling sewage. The exemption applies only when these activities cannot connect to an existing sewer or install an onsite sewage system. To qualify, the agritourism sites must use storage facilities and vehicles that meet specific state safety standards.
Scope change
The bill introduces a new geographic and activity-specific exemption. It applies only to Planning District 23 and only to sewage generated by agritourism activities that lack alternative sewage disposal options.
ELIGIBILITY

Creates an exemption for agritourism activities in Planning District 23 from the prohibition on permanent sewage pumping and hauling.

REQUIREMENT

Requires that any exempted sewage pumping and hauling must use storage facilities and vehicles that conform to specific state safety articles.

DEFINITION

Relies on the existing legal definition of 'agritourism' found in the Code of Virginia.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

360
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 39
Feb 27, 2026
D Democratic20
18 Yea 2
90% Yea
R Republican19
18 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
37
Key actions
13
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Apr 6, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 212 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB728ER)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with substitute (30-Y 9-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with substitute (33-Y 7-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Education and Health with substitute (14-Y 1-N)
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (82-Y 14-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendment agreed to
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) (19-Y 2-N)
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 1-N 1-A)
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
Assigned sub: Health
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors