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HB 313

Virginia FOIA; public records to be open to inspection, non-citizen property owners.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Otto Wachsmann

Expands Virginia FOIA inspection rights to non-citizen property owners, enabling foreign nationals with Virginia real estate to access public records currently restricted to citizens and residents.

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 3-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 313

Legislative bill overview

HB 313 would amend Virginia's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to grant non-citizen property owners the right to inspect and access public records. Currently, FOIA inspection rights are generally limited to Virginia citizens and residents. This bill expands that access to include individuals who own property in the state regardless of citizenship status.

Why is this important

Property ownership creates legitimate interests in local governance, taxation, and land use decisions that affect owned assets. Expanding FOIA access to non-citizen property owners could increase transparency and allow these stakeholders to participate more fully in understanding government decisions affecting their investments. However, it also raises questions about balancing public access with potential national security or administrative concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of records access: Determining which specific records non-citizen property owners can access and whether restrictions apply to sensitive government documents
  • Verification and fraud prevention: Administrative burden and cost of verifying property ownership and citizenship status for FOIA requests
  • Foreign investment concerns: Potential national security implications of providing extensive government document access to foreign nationals, particularly regarding infrastructure or military-adjacent properties

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

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