In one paragraph
Virginia's SB 585 as introduced would require disclosure of personalized algorithmic pricing by residential property owners, landlords and multiple listing services, ban using protected class data to set housing prices, and bar landlords from using coordinating algorithmic software to set rents or facilitate agreements not to compete. Prefiled January 14, 2026; the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee passed it by indefinitely (15-0) February 4, 2026, so it did not pass.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have covered landlords, property owners and multiple listing services using algorithmic pricing or rent-setting software.
Key provisions
- New Code § 55.1-708.3: an owner of residential real property who knowingly advertises personalized algorithmic pricing using personal data must include the notice "THIS PRICE WAS SET BY AN ALGORITHM USING YOUR PERSONAL DATA"
- Amends § 36-96.3 (Fair Housing Law): unlawful to use protected class data to set a price for, offer, market or advertise a dwelling sale or rental if it denies privileges or yields different prices based on that data
- New § 55.1-1204.2 (landlord and tenant): same disclosure for landlords and multiple listing services, same protected-class data ban (with an exception for noncommercial bias audits)
- Landlords could not knowingly or recklessly facilitate an agreement not to compete, including through software that performs a coordinating function (exempting natural persons with four or fewer units), and landlords and multiple listing services could not set rent or terms based on a coordinating algorithm's recommendations
- The Attorney General could seek an injunction and a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation; an injured individual could sue for actual damages or $1,000 statutory damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees
- A Senate subcommittee substitute offered January 28, 2026 would have been limited to the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (new § 55.1-1204.2)
Latest legislative action
Feb 4, 2026. Passed by indefinitely in General Laws and Technology with letter (15-Y 0-N)
Sponsors (showing 5 of 14)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Bill R. DeSteph, Jr. | Primary |
| Bryce E. Reeves R | Primary |
| R. Creigh Deeds | Primary |
| Reeves | Primary |
| Saddam Azlan Salim D | Primary |
Roll call votes
Passed by indefinitely in General Laws and Technology with letter Feb 4, 2026
15 yea0 nayPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error