VirginiaSB592026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Photo speed monitoring devices; photo-monitoring systems for traffic signals, proof of violation.

Sponsored By: J.D. "Danny" Diggs (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Photo speed monitoring devices; photo-monitoring systems for traffic signals; school bus video-monitoring systems; proof of violation; certain persons swearing to or affirming certificates; training. Authorizes retired sworn law-enforcement officers, registered special conservators of the peace, and technicians employed by a locality to swear to or to affirm certificates for the purposes of enforcement of violations recorded by traffic light signal violation monitoring systems, traffic control device violation monitoring systems, photo speed monitoring devices, or school bus video-monitoring systems upon completion of a training course developed and approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The bill also requires law-enforcement officers swearing to or affirming such certificates to complete such training course. These provisions of the bill have an effective date of July 1, 2027. The bill also requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to develop, approve, and make available such training course no later than January 1, 2027. This bill incorporates SB 81 and is identical to HB 684.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Training and start dates for enforcement

The state sets required training for officers who use radar and other speed devices and for the instructors who teach them. The state creates an approved course so trained officers, retired officers, registered special conservators, and locality technicians can sign camera‑ticket certificates. Registered special conservators must complete the course and be locality employees to sign. The course and needed rules are due by January 1, 2027. Major provisions take effect July 1, 2027.

Red-light camera rules, caps, and notice

Local governments can run red-light camera programs and issue civil fines to vehicle operators. Fines are capped at $50, are civil only, and do not go on your driving record or affect insurance. Mailed tickets must explain how to rebut and give you at least 30 business days to review the images; you cannot be arrested for missing the return date. The law presumes the owner, lessee, or renter was the driver, but you can rebut by affidavit, in court, or with a certified stolen-vehicle report. Safety rules apply: yellow lights must be at least 3 seconds, cameras must wait 0.5 seconds after red, and safety fixes come first. Local limits apply: at most one monitored intersection per 10,000 residents (Planning District 8 can use 10 or one per 10,000, whichever is greater; Planning District 23 may add sites tied to the HREL-P project). Localities must pick sites based on safety, post signs within 500 feet, check systems monthly and publish results, and run a public awareness program before starting or expanding.

School bus camera evidence rules

Video from school buses counts as proof of illegally passing a stopped school bus. A sworn certificate by a trained, locality employee based on the images is treated as proof. Images that show the bus stopped with at least one warning device on are proof it was loading or unloading children, seniors, or people with disabilities.

Speed cameras: fines and protections

Speed cameras can be used in school crossings, highway work zones, or near high‑risk intersections with a warning sign within 1,000 feet. If you are at least 10 mph over the limit, you can be fined up to $100 per violation. A mailed ticket is not a conviction and does not affect your driving record or insurance; an in‑person ticket can. For mailed tickets, the owner/lessee/renter is presumed to be the driver, but you can rebut by affidavit, sworn testimony, or a certified stolen‑vehicle report. Mailed tickets must explain your rights, give you at least 30 days to inspect images, and if no summons issues within 30 days, related data must be purged within 60 days; no arrest for missing the return date. For school crossings, a sworn certificate counts only if images show a portable, tilt‑over, or blinking school sign at the time. Agencies must report yearly by January 15; the State Police reports totals to lawmakers by February 15. Penalty money goes to the locality, the Literary Fund (if issued by State Police), or the Highway Safety Improvement Program for high‑risk sites.

Stronger privacy for camera data

Camera data is only for enforcing the violation or for challenges. Images are not public, cannot be sold or used for marketing, and may be used in court only for related cases or by court order. Databases must be secured; DMV data sharing requires an agreement; agencies must certify each year and are subject to audits. Data must be deleted no later than 60 days after any civil penalty is collected, and if no summons is executed within 10 business days, the data must be deleted within two business days. Improper sharing of personal information carries a $1,000 civil penalty per disclosure. If a vehicle belongs to a local government, the locality may use the images to discipline its employees.

Limits on camera vendor deals

Private companies can provide camera equipment and services. Contracts cannot pay vendors based on the number of violations or fines. Only trained, locality employees may sign the proof certificate used in court. Vendors may receive vehicle owner data under a DMV agreement and must keep it in a protected database.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • J.D. "Danny" Diggs

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 329 • No: 206

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 26 • No: 12

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 58 • No: 38

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate acceded to request

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/12/2026

House substitute with amendment rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 40

House vote 3/12/2026

Passed House with substitute with amendment

Yes: 60 • No: 38

House vote 3/11/2026

Failed to pass House

Yes: 40 • No: 59

House vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Transportation with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 7

House vote 3/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/28/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 31 • No: 9

Senate vote 1/27/2026

Transportation Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/26/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/26/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/22/2026

Reported from Transportation with substitute

Yes: 12 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0965)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 965 (Effective 7/1/2027)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB59)

    4/1/2026Senate
  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

    3/31/2026Senate
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB59ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB59)

    3/19/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by Senate (26-Y 12-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  12. Conference report agreed to by House (58-Y 38-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  13. Conference Report released

    3/14/2026
  14. House Conferees: Hayes, Delaney, Leftwich

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

    3/12/2026House
  16. Senate acceded to request (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  17. House requested conference committee

    3/12/2026House
  18. House substitute with amendment rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  19. Passed House with substitute with amendment (60-Y 38-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026House
  20. Engrossed by House - committee substitute as amended

    3/12/2026House
  21. Delegate Simon Floor amendment agreed to

    3/12/2026House
  22. Read third time

    3/12/2026House
  23. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  24. Senate Conferees: Aird, Williams Graves, Diggs

    3/12/2026Senate
  25. House insisted on substitute with amendment

    3/12/2026House

Bill Text

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