VirginiaSB812026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Law-enforcement officers, state and local; enforcement of federal traffic infractions.

Sponsored By: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Enforcement of federal traffic infractions by state and local law-enforcement officers; Planning District 8. Provides that state and local law-enforcement officers may enforce federal traffic infractions on any highway within Planning District 8. This bill is identical to HB 77.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Privacy, vendor, and audits for cameras

The law limits what speed cameras can collect and how data is used. Data is only for enforcement, cannot be sold or used for marketing, and must be deleted within 60 days after any penalty is collected. Anyone who improperly discloses personal information pays $1,000 for each disclosure. Police may hire private vendors, but pay cannot depend on the number of tickets, and vendors need a DMV agreement to access owner data. Only a law-enforcement officer or an honorably retired sworn officer may sign required certificates. Agencies must certify compliance each year and allow audits. Agencies must also report yearly results to State Police by January 15; State Police report to the legislature by February 15.

Where speed-camera fines go

Fines from tickets issued by local officers go to the locality where the violation happened. Fines from tickets issued by State Police go to the Literary Fund. Fines from devices at high-risk intersections go to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the Highway Safety Improvement Program.

More speed cameras and $100 fines

Police can use speed cameras in school crossing zones, highway work zones, and at high-risk intersections where a death has occurred since January 1, 2014. In Planning District 8, cameras can also be used on National Park highways when the federal government or the National Park Service authorizes it. If a camera shows you were at least 10 mph over the limit, you face a civil penalty up to $100.

Northern Virginia enforces federal traffic tickets

In Planning District 8, any traffic infraction punishable under federal rules is treated as a Virginia offense. State or local officers can stop and cite you on those highways, including roads on federal land with shared jurisdiction. Cases go to the local general district court. The Commonwealth must prove the violation beyond a reasonable doubt, and appeals follow misdemeanor trial rules.

How photo speed tickets work

If a ticket is mailed, the law presumes the owner, lessee, or renter was the driver. You can rebut by mailing a sworn affidavit naming the driver, testifying under oath, or presenting a certified police report showing the car was reported stolen before the violation. A mailed penalty is not a conviction and does not go on your record or affect insurance. An in-person officer summons that leads to conviction goes on your record and may affect insurance. You get at least 30 days after mailing to see the photos. If no summons is issued within 30 days of the violation, the data must be deleted within 60 days. A clear warning sign must be within 1,000 feet of any camera site. An officer’s sworn certificate based on the photos counts as evidence; for school zones, the images or papers must show a portable or blinking school sign was active then. The law defines who qualifies as an honorably retired officer for signing certificates.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Scott A. Surovell

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 440 • No: 132

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 24 • No: 15

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 66 • No: 31

Senate vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 29 • No: 10

House vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 84 • No: 9

Senate vote 3/12/2026

House substitute rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 40

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate acceded to request Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/11/2026

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 91 • No: 8

House vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Transportation with substitute

Yes: 19 • No: 2

House vote 3/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/21/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 26 • No: 14

Senate vote 1/20/2026

Reading of amendment waived (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/20/2026

Senator Surovell Amendment agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/19/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/19/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/15/2026

Reported from Transportation

Yes: 11 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 31-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  2. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (24-Y 15-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0986)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (SB81ER2)

    4/22/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026Senate
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 986 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  9. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  10. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

    4/13/2026Governor
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB81)

    4/1/2026Senate
  12. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  13. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026Senate
  14. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  15. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB81ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  16. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  17. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  18. Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026Senate
  19. Conference report agreed to by House (84-Y 9-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026House
  20. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  21. House Conferees: Krizek, Glass, Cornett

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

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

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

    3/12/2026House
  25. House insisted on substitute

    3/12/2026House

Bill Text

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