VirginiaSB5732026 Regular SessionSenate

Military Affairs, Dept. of, emergency vehicles; equipped with flashing red and white warning lights.

Sponsored By: Bryce E. Reeves (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Flashing red and white warning lights; emergency vehicle exemptions; Department of Military Affairs emergency vehicles. Authorizes Department of Military Affairs emergency vehicles to (i) be equipped with flashing, blinking, or alternating red or red and white combination warning lights and (ii) disregard certain regulations regarding the operation of vehicles without being subject to criminal prosecution while responding to an emergency. This bill is identical to HB 351.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Police escorts and speed testing rules

Police vehicles may exceed speed limits to test speedometers, test official speed devices, or follow a car to measure its speed. During funeral, wide‑load, dignitary, or other needed escorts, police may go past red lights at reduced speed, ignore some speed and turn rules, and pass other vehicles. Officers must still use due care, and may use a siren or similar device during escorts.

Emergency driving rules with safety safeguards

The law lets authorized emergency drivers, during emergencies, exceed speed limits, go past red lights or stop signs after slowing, ignore some parking and turn rules, and pass stopped traffic even in no‑passing zones or off the roadway. To use these breaks, they must use flashing emergency lights and usually sound a siren, exhaust whistle, or air horn; for red lights, they can instead slow to a safe speed and yield or stop when needed. Vehicles must carry at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for injuries, and $20,000 for property damage, or have a state self‑insurance certificate. These privileges do not excuse reckless driving, and drivers can still be sued for not using reasonable care.

More agencies get emergency vehicle powers

Department of Military Affairs and Virginia National Guard Civil Support Team vehicles count as emergency vehicles when responding. WMATA Response and Recovery and certified mine rescue team vehicles also qualify, if drivers finish an approved emergency‑vehicle course and recertify every two years. DEQ vehicles going to an emergency may pass stopped traffic by leaving the main roadway on the right or left. DEQ must show red or red‑and‑white warning lights for this; a siren is not required.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bryce E. Reeves

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 0

House vote 2/27/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 96 • No: 0

House vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Transportation

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Reported from Transportation

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0119)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 119 (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

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB573)

    3/4/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB573ER)

    3/4/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/4/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  10. Passed House Block Vote (96-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/27/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/26/2026House
  13. Reported from Transportation (21-Y 0-N)

    2/24/2026House
  14. Referred to Committee on Transportation

    2/10/2026House
  15. Read first time

    2/10/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/10/2026House
  17. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026Senate
  18. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/3/2026Senate
  19. Read second time

    2/3/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/2/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026Senate
  22. Passed by for the day

    2/2/2026Senate
  23. Rules suspended

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

    1/29/2026Senate
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB573)

    1/20/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation