# Virginia SB219: Photo speed monitoring devices; placement and operations.

Virginia SB219, Photo speed monitoring devices; placement and operations., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Michael J. Jones (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0969)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB219-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB219
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Photo speed monitoring devices; placement and operations.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-09
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0969)
- Sponsor: Michael J. Jones (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 10 (217 yes, 61 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 10

## Summary

Photo speed monitoring devices; placement and operation; summons. Requires a second summons for a vehicle speed violation captured by a photo speed monitoring device to be mailed if a summoned person fails to appear on the date of return set out in the first summons mailed. If the summoned person fails to appear after the second summons, the bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse to issue or renew the vehicle registration certificate or the license plate issued for such vehicle until the required civil penalties and any administrative fees have been paid and any applicable reinstatement processes required by the Department of Motor Vehicles have been completed. 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 and requires courts to dismiss such summons. The bill provides that any person against whom an enforcement action is carried out by a locality or law-enforcement agency, pursuant to the authority granted for the use of photo speed monitoring devices, where the enforcement action was based upon a willful disregard for applicable law, shall be entitled to an award of compensatory damages and to an order remanding the matter to the locality with a direction to carry out any further enforcement in a manner consistent with the law and may be entitled to reasonable attorney fees and court costs. The bill also provides that if a locality fails to comply with such an order, the court may order that the locality shall be ineligible to receive any funds collected from enforcement using photo speed monitoring devices, in excess of those used for its photo speed monitoring device program, and that the court shall order that any such excess funds be deposited in the Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program until the locality comes into compliance with such order. 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 contains delayed effective dates for certain provisions.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Drivers get speed camera privacy protections: benefit, medium. Camera information can be used only as needed to enforce speed violations. It cannot be sold, used for marketing, or made public; disclosure is limited to enforcement, challenges, or court orders. Information about a specific violation must be irrecoverably destroyed 21 days after capture unless a…
- Drivers get remedies for unlawful enforcement: benefit, low. Courts must dismiss camera summonses issued without following the law's requirements. A person subjected to local enforcement based on willful disregard of the law is entitled to damages capped at the assessed penalty. The court must order lawful further enforcement and can award reasonable attorne…
- Drivers get limits on vendor fees: benefit, low. Camera vendors must be paid for the value of their goods and services, not violations paid or penalties imposed. A vendor responsible for mailing a summons can collect only the civil penalty, reasonable postage, and an electronic-payment convenience fee. The electronic-payment fee cannot exceed 5%…
- Camera agencies must inform the public: benefit, low. Agencies operating speed cameras must make emergency plans for problems, including device failures, and follow current U.S. transportation guidance. They must review camera use each year for safety needs, fairness, and public concerns. Their websites and social media must explain how to contest vio…
- School-area speed cameras require warning signs: benefit, low. Police can place speed cameras at qualifying high-risk intersection segments within 1,000 feet of school property. The segment must be part of or next to an intersection with a marked crosswalk. Police must certify that a traffic death occurred in the segment since January 1, 2014. Beginning July 1…
- Camera penalties fund programs and safety: benefit, low. Penalties from local officers' and locally employed retired officers' camera summonses fund the locality's camera program. Excess local funds support traffic-safety work, with priority for work zones, high-risk intersections, and school crossings. For state police summonses issued after July 1, 202…
- Missed court dates can block registration: mixed, medium. After a missed court date for a mailed summons, a second summons must be mailed. Its return date must be at least 30 days after mailing. Missing that date too blocks issuance or renewal of the vehicle's registration certificate or license plate until penalties and administrative fees are paid. Fail…
- Drivers can inspect camera citation evidence: mixed, low. A sworn statement based on camera images can serve as initial proof, and drivers can inspect images used to decide liability. School-crossing evidence must show or confirm the required sign was in place or activated; work-zone operators must swear workers were present. Paid calibration vendors must…
- Drivers face capped fines with safeguards: mixed, low. Recorded speeds at least 10 miles per hour over the posted limit carry civil penalties of up to $100 per violation. Work-zone penalties apply only when workers are present. Devices newly placed and operated after July 1, 2026, require mailed warnings without penalties during their first 30 days. Of…
- Vehicle owners can challenge driver assumptions: mixed, low. For mailed summonses, violation evidence and proof you owned, leased, or rented the vehicle create an assumption that you drove. You can challenge that assumption with an affidavit or sworn testimony that you were not driving. You must also provide the driver's name and address. Alternatively, you…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Michael J. Jones (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-12 | Senate | House substitute agreed to by Senate | pass | 24 | 16 |   |
| 2026-03-11 | House | Passed House with substitute | pass | 66 | 33 |   |
| 2026-03-05 | House | Reported from Transportation with substitute | pass | 18 | 3 |   |
| 2026-03-03 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 8 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 37 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Transportation Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations | pass | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026-01-22 | Senate | Reported from Transportation with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (38)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0969) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 969 (Effective - see bill) (Governor)
- 2026-04-02: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB219) (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB219ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: House substitute agreed to by Senate (24-Y 16-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Passed House with substitute (66-Y 33-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-11: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-03-11: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-03-11: Read third time (House)
- 2026-03-10: Passed by for the day (House)
- 2026-03-09: Read second time (House)
- 2026-03-09: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB219) (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Committee substitute printed 26109093D-H1 (House)
- 2026-03-05: Reported from Transportation with substitute (18-Y 3-N) (House)
- 2026-03-03: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-03-03: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2026-02-20: Assigned HTRAN sub: Innovations (Ad Hoc) (House)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee on Transportation (House)
- 2026-02-18: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-18: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-13: Read third time and passed Senate (37-Y 2-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Transportation Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N 1-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-03: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB219) (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Committee substitute printed 26106072D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-01-22: Reported from Transportation with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-09: Referred to Committee on Transportation (Senate)
- 2026-01-09: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103249D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224887.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224886.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213351.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213350.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1196366.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1196365.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-03: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191876.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191627.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191875.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191626.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-26: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096623.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096622.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084123.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084122.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/1224887.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224886.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213351.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213350.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1196366.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1196365.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191876.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191627.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191875.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1191626.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096623.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096622.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084123.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084122.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)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB219-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).