VirginiaHB9942026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Photo speed monitoring devices; placement and operation.

Sponsored By: Holly M. Seibold (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Photo speed monitoring devices; placement and operation. Authorizes the governing body of any locality to provide by ordinance for the placement and operation of a photo speed monitoring device by a law-enforcement agency in a safety red zone, defined in the bill, for the purpose of recording vehicle speed violations in such safety red zone. The bill directs the Supreme Court of Virginia to develop a summons for vehicle speed violations captured by photo speed monitoring devices and requires summonses issued for such vehicle speed violations to be such summons. The bill makes various changes to the requirements for the use of photo speed monitoring devices, including the use of funds from collected civil penalties, signage, data retention and storage, photo speed monitoring device calibration, making certain information available to the public, requirements for private vendors, and reporting. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations of requirements and provides that for any summons issued, failure to comply with the requirements for the operation of photo speed monitoring devices renders such summons invalid.The bill also limits the use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones to when workers are present, as defined in the bill, and provides that a certificate sworn to or affirmed by a law-enforcement officer or a retired sworn law-enforcement officer is not prima facie evidence of the facts contained therein for a photo speed monitoring device placed in a highway work zone unless the operator of the photo speed monitoring device provides a sworn certification verifying that workers were present at the time of the vehicle speed violation.The bill directs the Commissioner of Highways to develop criteria for designating a highway segment as a high-risk pedestrian corridor for purposes of identifying safety red zones.The bill contains delayed effective dates for certain provisions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Mailed tickets and your rights

A mailed camera summons presumes the owner, lessee, or renter was driving. You can rebut by mailing an affidavit naming the driver, testifying in court, or showing a police report that the car was stolen. A mailed penalty is not a conviction and does not go on your driving or insurance record; an in‑person officer‑issued summons can lead to a recordable conviction. Every mailed summons must explain how to contest and give you at least 30 days to review the camera data, including calibration. Courts and police must use one standard summons form beginning January 1, 2027 (the Supreme Court finalizes it by October 1, 2026), and any summons that fails to follow these rules must be dismissed.

When camera evidence counts

A camera ticket applies only if you are at least 10 mph over the limit, and the penalty is capped at $100. Camera records and a sworn officer certificate count as evidence. In school zones, the images must show an active portable or blinking sign. In work zones, the operator must swear workers were present, and the images must be available for you to inspect.

Where speed cameras can run

The law allows speed cameras in school crossings and in highway work zones only when workers are present. Agencies may also use them at high‑risk intersection segments if a traffic death occurred there since January 1, 2014. In Planning District 8, a locality may, by ordinance, run cameras in designated safety red zones. Cameras cannot be placed elsewhere unless the local governing body approves by ordinance. The law updates key definitions and directs the Commissioner of Highways to set criteria for high‑risk pedestrian corridors.

More signs and 30‑day warnings

At least two clear signs must be within 1,000 feet of any monitored zone, and one must display your speed. The law presumes the signs were in place unless shown otherwise. This signage rule starts July 1, 2027. For cameras first placed after July 1, 2026, the first 30 days are warning‑by‑mail only, with no civil penalty. Officers may still issue an in‑person summons during that period.

Privacy rules and vendor limits

Agencies and vendors must protect your data and keep only what is needed to enforce speed laws. If no summons is issued within 30 days, the images and data must be deleted within 60 days of the violation; in general, camera data must be deleted within 60 days unless a summons is issued and the case is pending. If you contest, the vendor must send calibration proof within 10 days; failure brings a $1,000 penalty. Vendors cannot charge extra fees beyond the penalty (except postage and up to a 5% e‑payment fee), and their pay cannot be tied to ticket counts. Wrongful disclosure of your personal data carries a $1,000 civil penalty per disclosure.

Where camera fine money goes

When a local officer issues a camera summons, the penalties go to the locality to run its camera program. Extra local money must fund safety projects like speed management, bike and pedestrian safety, and transit, with priority in the camera areas. For State Police summonses after July 1, 2026, penalties go to a State Police fund for program costs. Any extra then goes to the Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program.

Public reports and online info

Agencies that use speed cameras must post clear online instructions on how to contest and how to pay, and answer public questions. They must report by November 15 each year on prosecutions, results, operating costs, and total penalties; the State Police publish a summary by December 15. Agencies must keep an emergency plan, follow U.S. DOT guidance, and review deployment each year for safety and equity.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Holly M. Seibold

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 357 • No: 238

House vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 60 • No: 34

Senate vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 23 • No: 15

House vote 3/12/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 1 • No: 97

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Defeated by Senate

Yes: 19 • No: 21

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Reconsideration of Defeated action by Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 23 • No: 17

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 5

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Transportation with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 11 • No: 1 • Other: 2

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 59 • No: 38

House vote 2/12/2026

Reported from Transportation with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 7

House vote 2/10/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 7 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0968)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 968 (Effective - see bill)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB994)

    4/7/2026House
  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 (HB994ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by House (60-Y 34-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026House
  11. Conference report agreed to by Senate (23-Y 15-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026Senate
  12. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  13. House Conferees: Seibold, Simon, Phillips

    3/12/2026House
  14. Conferees appointed by House

    3/12/2026House
  15. House acceded to request

    3/12/2026House
  16. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  17. Senate substitute rejected by House (1-Y 97-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026House
  18. Senate insisted on substitute

    3/12/2026Senate
  19. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  20. Senate Conferees: Williams Graves, Jones, Diggs

    3/12/2026Senate
  21. Senate requested conference committee

    3/12/2026Senate
  22. Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 17-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  23. Reconsideration of Defeated action by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  24. Defeated by Senate (19-Y 21-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  25. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

    3/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

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