Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1237: Cemeteries; maintenance of abandoned or neglected graveyards, owner unknown.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1237 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Cemeteries; maintenance of abandoned or neglected graveyards, owner unknown. Primary sponsor: Briana Sewell (Democratic). It lists 5 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 6, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0278).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Cemeteries; maintenance of abandoned or neglected graveyards; owner unknown. Permits the owner of adjacent land or an incorporated nonprofit entity to petition the circuit court for an exclusive license to maintain a graveyard that has been abandoned, is unused and neglected by the owner, and the owner of such graveyard is unknown, or cannot with reasonable diligence be found. The bill requires the petitioner to (i) demonstrate a good faith effort to identify and contact an owner of record of the graveyard and (ii) publish in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality in which the graveyard is located, once a week for two consecutive weeks, notice that a petition for a maintenance license has been filed. The bill allows a court to grant a petitioner an exclusive license for the maintenance of an abandoned graveyard not to exceed five years. Such petitioner may, by petition of the court, renew such license indefinitely. After the court grants a petitioner a license to maintain the property, the owner of such graveyard may petition the circuit court of the county or city in which the graveyard is located to terminate the license.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Briana Sewell | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Gretchen M. Bulova | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Nadarius Clark | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 84 |
| Jackie Glass | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 93 |
| Michelle Lopes Maldonado | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Luke Torian | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 24 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0278)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 278 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1237)
- Signed by President
- Signed by Speaker
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1237ER)
- Enrolled
- Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Read third time
- Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Showing 12 most recent of 28 actions. Full history