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Bill

HB 1142

Deferred or installment payment agreements; outstanding court-assessed fines, fees, taxes, or costs.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Cherry

Virginia bill authorizes court-ordered fines and costs to be paid through installment agreements, allowing financial flexibility but raising questions about collection effectiveness and total debt impact.

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 1142

Legislative bill overview

HB 1142 establishes a framework allowing individuals to pay court-assessed fines, fees, taxes, and costs through deferred or installment payment agreements rather than lump-sum payments. The bill aims to provide financial flexibility for defendants unable to pay their court obligations immediately while ensuring these debts are eventually collected.

Why is this important

Court debt creates significant barriers to economic mobility and can trap individuals in cycles of poverty, suspended licenses, and continued criminal justice involvement. This mechanism could reduce the accumulation of additional penalties and improve collection rates by making payment feasible for low-income individuals. However, implementation details—such as interest rates, default consequences, and oversight—will determine whether this genuinely helps or merely delays inevitable enforcement actions.

Potential points of contention

  • Fairness and burden: Questions about whether installment plans adequately protect taxpayers' interests or if they subsidize wealthy defendants who could pay immediately but choose not to
  • Collection enforcement: Concerns that extended payment timelines reduce actual revenue collection or create new administrative burdens on courts
  • Debt accumulation: Risk that deferred payments allow additional fees, interest, or penalties to accrue, potentially making total debt larger than the original obligation

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

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