# Virginia HB862: Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), Commission on; structure and responsibilities. Virginia HB862, Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), Commission on; structure and responsibilities., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Rae Cousins (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0686)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB862-2026 - As of: 2026-10-12 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Virginia HB862 - State: Virginia - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), Commission on; structure and responsibilities. - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-01-13 - Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0686) - Sponsor: Rae Cousins (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 0 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 11 (333 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 14 ## Summary Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP). Restructures the existing governance structure and responsibilities of the Commission on VASAP and expands its oversight authority over local alcohol safety action programs. The provisions of the bill related to a fiscal agent locality have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2028. The bill also directs the Commission on VASAP to convene a work group with relevant stakeholders to review the sustainability of the structure and funding model for VASAP and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Commission on VASAP and the Chairs of the House Committees on Appropriations and for Courts of Justice and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and for Courts of Justice by October 1, 2026. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on VASAP and is identical to SB 391. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Drivers get credit for pretrial interlocks: benefit, low. People facing listed alcohol-related driving charges may enter an alcohol safety program and install an ignition interlock before trial. That time counts toward later court-ordered interlock or restricted-license periods. It also counts toward related DMV driving restrictions, suspensions, or revoc… - Repeat driving offenders face longer limits: cost, high. A second qualifying alcohol-related driving offense less than 10 years after the first brings a three-year license revocation. Afterward, every vehicle owned by or registered to the driver needs an ignition interlock for 12 consecutive violation-free months. Drivers who already completed that inter… - Device tampering brings criminal driving penalties: cost, medium. Tampering with or bypassing a required interlock or remote alcohol monitor is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Prohibited help includes starting a vehicle for a restricted driver or knowingly supplying a non-interlock vehicle without authorization. Remote-monitor tampering also revokes the restricted license… - Alcohol program workers face certification rules: cost, low. Local alcohol safety program workers must obtain and keep Commission certification before working or performing program duties. Certification standards include a background investigation, driving-history review, and at least 80% on an approved written exam. Case managers and other designated probat… - Local programs face financial reporting deadlines: cost, low. Local alcohol programs must follow generally accepted accounting rules and undergo local, state, and federal audits. Monthly reports are due by the next month's 15th day; annual income statements are due August 1. Programs must submit annual budgets and supporting records for Commission approval by… - Drivers gain permits with monitoring conditions: mixed, medium. For good cause, courts may give drivers in certified programs permits for work, school, health care, family needs, worship, court obligations, and job seeking. Some trips require written proof; eligible drivers may receive permits for any lawful purpose, but none allow commercial driving. Drivers b… - Drivers pay device costs with aid available: mixed, medium. Drivers ordered to use an interlock or remote alcohol monitor must show proof within 30 days and pay device and upkeep costs. Programs must monitor and calibrate devices at least every 30 days; courts may revoke driving privileges for noncompliance without good cause. The Commission certifies devic… - Restricted driving comes with interlock requirements: mixed, medium. Courts may grant restricted driving for good cause when they order completion of a certified alcohol safety program. That license requires a working, certified ignition interlock for at least six consecutive months without alcohol-related violations. Many specified alcohol-related convictions requi… - Speed program drivers face equipment costs: mixed, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, the law establishes a court-ordered Intelligent Speed Assistance Program. After court notice, DMV suspends the driver's license and makes enrollment a condition of a restricted license. Participants need certified systems on every owned or registered vehicle and cannot drive… - Alcohol program fees include hardship relief: mixed, low. Courts may order people with specified alcohol-related driving offenses to complete an alcohol safety program. They may decline for good cause when an assessment finds intervention inappropriate. Participants pay $250 to $300, but courts may lower or waive the fee after finding them indigent. Up to… - Local alcohol programs get statewide oversight: mixed, low. A legislative-branch Commission oversees local alcohol safety programs, sets standards, and manages supplemental or emergency funding. Local programs need independent policy boards, directors, staff, insurance unless locality-provided, and services at Commission-set times with approved remote or el… - Required services continue when programs fail: mixed, low. Local programs need certification at least every three years and must submit corrective plans within 10 days of noncompliance notices. The Commission may impose conditional certification, extend correction periods, reorganize programs, revoke certification, or suspend it for up to 90 days in specif… - Localities fund programs and manage payroll: mixed, low. Participating localities must support local alcohol programs; shared programs need written, filed agreements that fairly divide costs. Localities that fail to contribute may be fined. Available emergency aid requires threatened program survival, compliance with standards, and participating localiti… - Speed devices need approval and assistance funds: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Commission certifies speed assistance systems and regulates their installation and upkeep. It publishes approved lists and ensures statewide availability. Systems must be certified and carry warning labels before sale or lease. Manufacturers or distributors pay reasonabl… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Rae Cousins (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-06 | House | Senate substitute agreed to by House | pass | 97 | 0 | | | 2026-03-04 | Senate | Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-04 | Senate | Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 | | | 2026-03-03 | Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute | pass | 14 | 0 | | | 2026-03-03 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-03 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 40 | 0 | | | 2026-02-23 | Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 13 | 0 | | | 2026-02-17 | House | Read third time and passed House Block Vote | pass | 97 | 0 | | | 2026-02-11 | House | Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) | pass | 22 | 0 | | | 2026-02-06 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) | pass | 10 | 0 | | | 2026-01-23 | House | Referred from Public Safety and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 | | ## Actions (37) - 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0686) (Governor) - 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor - Chapter 686 (effective - see bill) (Governor) - 2026-03-14: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor) - 2026-03-14: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 (House) - 2026-03-13: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB862) (House) - 2026-03-13: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB862ER) (House) - 2026-03-13: Enrolled (House) - 2026-03-13: Signed by President (Senate) - 2026-03-13: Signed by Speaker (House) - 2026-03-06: Senate substitute agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-03-06: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB862) (House) - 2026-03-04: Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Committee substitute printed 26108937D-S1 (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Read third time (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Rules suspended (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (14-Y 0-N) (Senate) - 2026-02-23: Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 0-N) (Senate) - 2026-02-19: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB862) (House) - 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate) - 2026-02-18: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate) - 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-02-16: Engrossed by House as amended (House) - 2026-02-16: committee amendments agreed to (House) - 2026-02-16: Read second time (House) - 2026-02-13: Read first time (House) - 2026-02-11: Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N) (House) - 2026-02-06: House subcommittee offered (House) - 2026-02-06: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N) (House) - 2026-02-03: Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal (House) - 2026-01-23: Referred from Public Safety and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) (House) - 2026-01-19: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB862) (House) - 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Public Safety (House) - 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101554D (House) ## Bill text - Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222127.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222126.PDF) - Enrolled, 2026-03-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1203405.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1203404.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-03-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191972.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191971.PDF) - Engrossed, 2026-02-16: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143980.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143979.PDF) - Amendment, 2026-02-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142400.HTML) - Amendment, 2026-02-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133719.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133799.HTML) - Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086558.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086557.PDF) ## Related bills - HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed) - SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed) - HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed) - HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed) - HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed) - HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed) ## Sources - [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222127.HTML) - [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222126.PDF) - [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1203405.HTML) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1203404.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191972.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191971.PDF) - [Engrossed (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143980.HTML) - [Engrossed (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143979.PDF) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142400.HTML) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133719.HTML) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133799.HTML) - [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086558.HTML) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086557.PDF) ## Related - [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026) - [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026) - [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026) - [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026) - [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026) - [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026) - [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills) - [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB862-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).