House General Laws panel backs bill to give localities authority to enforce VRLTA health and safety provisions

Delegate Price presented House Bill 1719, saying current local remedies against slumlords — court actions that typically end in fines or condemnation — frequently fail to fix housing conditions or help tenants obtain safe, habitable housing.

"This bill would grant localities the authority to enforce the health and safety provisions of the Virginia, sorry, the VRLTA and therefore help them protect the communities they serve," Delegate Price said. He told members the bill's language is unchanged from last year but that the number of complaints and people needing local assistance has increased.

Supporters told the committee the bill has bipartisan backing and more than 40 organizations have expressed support. The sponsor and the chair discussed the policy tradeoffs that lead locality officials to seek condemnation only as a last resort because of limited housing replacement options in many jurisdictions.

After brief discussion, the clerk closed the roll and the committee reported the bill by a recorded vote of 12 to 9.

Ending: HB1719 advances to the next stage with committee approval; proponents said the measure gives local governments another tool to enforce habitability standards, while opponents argued existing remedies and housing availability must be considered.