2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26100053D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1217

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 43-32 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 43-32.1, relating to keeper of livery stable; liens; requirements.

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Patron—Oates

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 43-32 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 43-32.1 as follows:

§ 43-32. Lien of keeper of hangar, marina, etc.

A. Every keeper of a livery stable, hangar, tie-down, or marina, and every person pasturing or keeping any horses or other animals, boats, aircraft, or harness, shall have a lien upon such horses and other animals, boats, aircraft, and harness, for the amount that may be due him for the towing, storage, recovery, keeping, supporting, and care thereof, until such amount is paid.

B. In the case of any boat or aircraft subject to a chattel mortgage, security agreement, deed of trust, or other instrument securing money, the keeper of the marina, hangar, or tie-down shall have a lien thereon for his reasonable charges for storage under this section not to exceed $500 and for alteration and repair under § 43-33 not to exceed $1,000. However, in the case of a storage lien, to obtain the priority for an amount in excess of $300, the person asserting the lien shall make a reasonable attempt to notify any secured party of record at the Department of Wildlife Resources by telephonic means and shall give written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to any secured party of record at the Department of Wildlife Resources within seven business days of taking possession of the boat or aircraft. If the secured party does not, within seven business days of receipt of the notice, take or refuse redelivery to it or its designee, the lienor shall be entitled to priority for the full amount of storage charges, not to exceed $500. Notwithstanding a redelivery, the watercraft shall be subject to subsection D.

C. In addition, any person furnishing services involving the towing and recovery of a boat or aircraft shall have a lien for all normal costs incident thereto, if the person asserting the lien gives written notice within seven days of receipt of the boat or aircraft by certified mail, return receipt requested, to all secured parties of record at the Department of Wildlife Resources.

D. In addition, any keeper shall be entitled to a lien against any proceeds remaining after the satisfaction of all prior security interests or liens and may retain possession of such property until such charges are paid.

§ 43-32.1. Lien of keeper of livery stable, pasture, or boarding facility.

A. Any person that boards, pastures, or otherwise keeps any horse, cattle, or other animal shall have a possessory lien for the reasonable charges due for such horse, cattle, or other animal's care, feeding, and maintenance, provided that the lien meets the requirements set forth in subsection E.

B. The lienholder shall retain possession of the horse, cattle, or other animal for which such reasonable charges are due for a period not to exceed 30 days until one of the following occurs:

1. The charges are paid in full;

2. The owner and lienholder agree in writing to an extension; or

3. A court of competent jurisdiction orders otherwise.

C. If the owner disputes the validity or amount of the lien, the owner may file a petition in the general district court of the jurisdiction in which the animal is boarded, pastured, or kept. The court shall hold a hearing within 10 business days to determine (i) whether the lien is valid, (ii) whether the charges are reasonable, and (iii) whether continued retention of the animal is appropriate.

D. If the court finds that the owner of the animal has substantially complied with his obligations and the lienholder has unreasonably withheld release of the animal, the court may (i) order immediate return of the animal to such owner; (ii) set conditions for partial payment of the charges due or the posting of a bond; or (iii) upon a determination that the lienholder imposed the lien in bad faith, award damages, including reasonable attorney fees and costs.

E. No lien shall be enforceable unless the lienholder, within 10 days of the effective date of the lien, delivers by certified mail to the owner of the animal written notice of the lien. Such written notice shall identify the animal and shall include the amount of charges due and a summary of services rendered.