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Bill

HB 1658

Board of Housing and Community Development; USBC; stakeholder group to evaluate temperature regulation.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Keys-Gamarra

Virginia bill establishes stakeholder group to evaluate building temperature regulation standards through the Board of Housing and Community Development, tabled in committee.

Tabled in Rules (14-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 1658

Legislative bill overview

HB 1658 directs Virginia's Board of Housing and Community Development to establish a stakeholder group tasked with evaluating temperature regulation standards, likely related to building codes and residential heating/cooling requirements. The bill was prefiled in early January 2025 and tabled in the Rules Committee on January 29, effectively ending its consideration for the current legislative session.

Why is this important

Temperature regulation standards in building codes directly affect housing affordability, energy costs for residents, and energy consumption goals. Establishing clear evaluation frameworks can inform future policy decisions about energy efficiency requirements, tenant comfort protections, and builder compliance costs—issues that balance environmental and economic concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Stricter temperature standards could increase construction and compliance costs, potentially raising housing prices or builder resistance
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language doesn't specify whether this addresses minimum heating standards, cooling requirements, or both—creating uncertainty about its actual impact
  • Stakeholder representation: Questions about who comprises the stakeholder group and whether tenant advocates, industry representatives, and renters are adequately represented in the evaluation process

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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