VirginiaHB1282026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Ancillary traffic infractions; certification.

Sponsored By: Katrina Callsen (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Certification of ancillary traffic infractions. Allows the court to certify any ancillary traffic infraction to the clerk of the circuit court upon certification of any felony offense, provided that the attorney for the Commonwealth and the accused consent to such certification. Current law only allows ancillary misdemeanor offenses to be certified. As introduced, the bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Easier to move civil cases to district court

While a case is in circuit court, a plaintiff can lower the claim and transfer it to district court. Ask at least 10 days before trial unless there is good cause. The plaintiff must pay the receiving court’s fees and prepare the transfer order. Statutes of limitation stay the same.

Immigrant youth can get findings until 21

If a juvenile court already has your case, it can keep limited jurisdiction until age 21. The court can enter or change findings needed for immigration help, like special immigrant juvenile status. This is only for making those findings.

No sheriff fees in some juvenile cases

Sheriffs do not charge service-of-process fees in the listed juvenile and family law cases. A few narrow exceptions under state law still apply. This reduces out-of-pocket costs for families in those proceedings.

Juvenile court handles kids' cases

Juvenile courts have the original power to hear cases about a child’s custody, support, abuse or neglect, delinquency, and related issues. They also handle children’s traffic infractions and certain test-refusal matters. Their reach covers their area and one mile beyond.

Court OK for minors without parental consent

An unemancipated minor can ask juvenile court to approve an abortion without parental consent. The judge approves if she is mature and informed, or if it is in her best interest. Hearings are confidential and must be decided within 4 days; appeals are decided within 5 days. No filing fees are charged, and notice can be waived when not in the minor’s best interest. A physician who knowingly violates these rules can be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Local misdemeanors go to district court

General district courts try local ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and traffic tickets where they happen. A city’s district court also hears city ordinance cases up to one mile outside the city, and shares some state revenue and election cases with the circuit court. If a city has no district court, the county’s district court handles those city cases. That court also tries misdemeanors that happen in its own courtroom. Other laws or a city charter can add more kinds of cases to the district court.

Serious teen felonies shift to adult court

For listed violent juvenile felonies, the juvenile court first checks probable cause and that the teen was at least 16. If certified, the case and related charges leave juvenile court for adult court processes. Similar limits apply when the prosecutor gives notice under the law.

When cases move to circuit court

When a felony is certified, the circuit court gets the case. If a conviction from district court is appealed, the circuit court takes it unless the case is quickly reopened or the appeal is withdrawn within 10 days. With both the prosecutor and the accused agreeing, any related misdemeanor or traffic infraction is certified too and handled like an appealed misdemeanor. Circuit courts also handle most civil cases and felony indictments by law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Katrina Callsen

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 397 • No: 1

House vote 3/12/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 97 • No: 1

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • 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 Courts of Justice with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 1/28/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 18 • No: 0

House vote 1/23/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0363)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 363 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB128)

    3/31/2026House
  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 (HB128ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Senate substitute agreed to by House (97-Y 1-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  12. Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  13. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  14. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

    3/11/2026Senate
  15. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/11/2026Senate
  16. Read third time

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

    3/10/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB128)

    3/10/2026House
  20. Rules suspended

    3/10/2026Senate
  21. Committee substitute printed 26107132D-S1

    3/9/2026Senate
  22. Senate committee offered

    3/9/2026Senate
  23. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

    3/9/2026Senate
  24. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/4/2026Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/4/2026Senate

Bill Text

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