VirginiaHB4982026 Regular SessionHouse

Motor carrier violations; authority of law-enforcement officers.

Sponsored By: Vivian E. Watts (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Motor carrier violations; authority of law-enforcement officers. Authorizes the enforcement of motor carrier violations of license, registration, and tax requirements and vehicle size limitations at locations other than permanent weighing stations and clarifies that law-enforcement officers, in addition to size and weight compliance agents, may enforce such provisions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Tougher enforcement and $50 reinstatement fee

Officers can briefly hold a vehicle to seek a court attachment, and the state does not need to post bond. If you do not pay or post bond, the vehicle is stored; you may unload cargo, but storage costs and risk are yours. At the attachment hearing, you may pay the fees and penalties on the spot; the court must accept payment and send it to DMV. Courts also send case orders and unserved citations to DMV for follow‑up. If a judgment or DMV order remains unpaid, DMV or police will deny your right to drive until you pay and also pay a $50 reinstatement fee. After denial, you must move the vehicle off the highway and not move it again until you satisfy the order; violating this is a Class 4 misdemeanor. All law‑enforcement officers have full authority to enforce these rules.

Fines fund DMV and transportation

Some civil penalties go to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. Other penalties and all processing fees go to a DMV special fund, which also pays related state enforcement costs and any judgments.

Commercial drivers: fixed fines and deadlines

At permanent weighing stations, listed violations carry a $250 civil penalty plus a $20 processing fee, on top of other fines. You have 21 days from when the citation is served to pay in full or file a written notice to contest. If you do nothing, DMV issues an administrative assessment. Service on the driver counts as service on the owner; notices can be sent by first‑class mail, and later notices may be electronic if you agree. The officer must send the citation to DMV within 24 hours; if you contest, DMV forwards it to the named court, and the case is tried as a civil case with payment due to DMV if the state wins.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Vivian E. Watts

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 315 • No: 1

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/19/2026

Reported from Transportation

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote 2/4/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/4/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote 1/29/2026

Reported from Transportation

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 1/27/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0155)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 155 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB498)

    2/27/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB498ER)

    2/26/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    2/26/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    2/26/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    2/24/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/23/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/23/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Transportation (13-Y 0-N)

    2/19/2026Senate
  16. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB498)

    2/13/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Transportation

    2/5/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/5/2026Senate
  19. Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026House
  20. Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House

    2/4/2026House
  21. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 1-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026House
  22. Read second time and engrossed

    2/3/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/2/2026House
  24. Reported from Transportation (21-Y 0-N)

    1/29/2026House
  25. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

    1/27/2026House

Bill Text

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