VirginiaHB11272026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Toll rate; increases State Corporation Commission duration and timeline for review.

Sponsored By: David A. Reid (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

State Corporation Commission; duration and timeline for review of toll rate increases. Increases from one year to two years the maximum length of time the State Corporation Commission is authorized to approve toll rate increases under the Virginia Highway Corporation Act of 1988. The bill also requires the Commission to issue a final order regarding any application for approval of one year or two years of such toll rate increases to be entered within nine months or 12 months, respectively, after the date of the filing of such application.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Financial guardrails to protect toll payers

If the facility changes owners, the Commission must exclude the purchase price and related costs when setting tolls. Bond money can be used only to refinance debt, improve or maintain the roadway, and pay reasonable arm’s-length fees, unless the Commission allows more. Before refinancing debt, the operator must get Commission approval and show it can repay, the term does not go past the operator’s certificate end date, the change will not raise tolls, and the deal is in the public interest.

Stronger checks and timelines on toll hikes

The Commission only approves initial tolls that are reasonable for users, do not cut traffic much, and give the operator only a fair return. Any toll increase request must include a forward-looking study of traffic and economic conditions. A toll is treated as discouraging use if traffic would drop by 3 percentage points or more. The Commission cannot approve more than two years of increases at once and must decide within 9 months (one year of increases) or 12 months (two years). The law also defines CPI and Real GDP to keep inflation and growth measures consistent in rate reviews.

State review and yearly audits of tolls

The State Corporation Commission now oversees the toll operator like a public service company. The operator must file a verified annual report on major contracts, and the Commission can exclude improper or excessive costs from toll setting. The operator must also submit annual audited financial statements and an ownership statement within four months after its fiscal year ends. Deals with the transportation department do not limit the Commission’s powers. The Commission may charge the operator a reasonable annual supervision fee, which is subject to its review if the operator tries to pass it into tolls.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • David A. Reid

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 205 • No: 16

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 39 • No: 1

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 83 • No: 15

House vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0739)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 739 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1127)

    4/6/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1127ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/11/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/10/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)

    3/9/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    2/10/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/10/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House (83-Y 15-N 0-A)

    2/9/2026House
  19. Read second time and engrossed

    2/6/2026House
  20. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    2/6/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/5/2026House
  22. Reported from Labor and Commerce (22-Y 0-N)

    2/3/2026House
  23. Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)

    1/29/2026House
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1127)

    1/29/2026House
  25. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

    1/27/2026House

Bill Text

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