VirginiaSB7162026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Commissioner of Highways; certain agreements with U.S. Department of Transportation.

Sponsored By: Danica A. Roem (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Commissioner of Highways; certain agreements with the U.S. Department of Transportation; National Environmental Policy Act. Authorizes the Commissioner of Highways to enter into agreements for a term of five years with the U.S. Department of Transportation, as provided for in federal law, regarding state assumption of responsibility for categorical exclusions and the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program. The bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to assume certain responsibilities of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation pursuant to such agreement. Under the bill, the Commonwealth waives its immunity from civil suit in a federal court under certain circumstances. The bill contains an expiration date of five years after the date on which the first agreement is entered into. This bill is identical to HB 411.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Public input and court access on road reviews

VDOT must post major changes to its NEPA Program Manual for 30 days of public comment. The comment window must start at least 45 days before the changes take effect. Virginia also waives its usual immunity so people can sue in federal court over duties VDOT takes on under these federal agreements. This applies only if an agreement was signed, the issue comes from those duties, and the agreement was in effect then. These cases follow the same legal standards as suits against the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

Virginia handles some federal road reviews

The Commissioner of Highways can sign five‑year agreements with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Under these deals, Virginia takes on parts of federal environmental review for highway projects, including some categorical exclusions and project delivery tasks. The Department can set rules and spend money needed to carry out these duties. This authority to make such agreements ends five years after the first agreement unless the General Assembly extends it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Danica A. Roem

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • 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 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Reported from Transportation and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 12 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0134)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 134 (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 (SB716)

    3/4/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB716ER)

    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

    2/24/2026House
  15. Read first time

    2/24/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/24/2026House
  17. Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026Senate
  18. Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

    2/12/2026Senate
  19. Read second time

    2/12/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/11/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/11/2026Senate
  22. Rules suspended

    2/11/2026Senate
  23. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    2/10/2026Senate
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB716)

    2/9/2026Senate
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB716)

    2/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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