VirginiaHB7882026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Vehicle crash reports; open to inspection by towing and recovery operators.

Sponsored By: Terry L. Austin (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Vehicle crash reports; open to inspection by certain persons; towing and recovery operators. Makes certain vehicle crash reports open for inspection and available to towing and recovery operators that responded to a public safety towing request for the removal of a vehicle involved in such crash for purposes of obtaining registered owner information and insurance information for any such vehicle. The bill prohibits the dissemination of any such crash report received by such a towing and recovery operator to any other party.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Crash records kept for 3 years

The DMV keeps crash reports for at least 36 months after the crash. The DMV or State Police also keep nonfatal crash photos for at least 36 months. This preserves records people need for insurance claims and legal matters.

Crash report access and copy fees

People involved or hurt in the crash, vehicle or property owners, and their lawyers can inspect the crash report. Insurers expecting a claim and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can inspect it too. Personal representatives may inspect; for minors, a parent or guardian may inspect. The Commissioner must provide a copy on written request from an authorized person. The requester pays a reasonable fee, and copies are only for reports filed directly with the Commissioner.

Towing operators: limited access, no sharing

A towing and recovery operator who answered a public safety tow request may inspect the officer’s crash report. Access is only to get the vehicle’s registered owner and insurance information. Any crash report the operator receives cannot be shared with anyone else.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Terry L. Austin

    Republican • 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 with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 1/27/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0220)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 220 (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 (HB788)

    2/26/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB788ER)

    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. Referred to Committee on Transportation

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

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

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

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

    2/4/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/3/2026House
  22. committee substitute agreed to

    2/3/2026House
  23. Read second time

    2/3/2026House
  24. Read first time

    2/2/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB788)

    1/30/2026House

Bill Text

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