Virginia HB 1273: Transportation network companies; requirements, civil penalties.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103210D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1273

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-2099.45, 46.2-2099.48, 46.2-2099.49, and 46.2-2099.53 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 15 of Chapter 20 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-2099.54, relating to transportation network companies; requirements; civil penalties.

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Patron—Glass

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Referred to Committee on Transportation

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 46.2-2099.45, 46.2-2099.48, 46.2-2099.49, and 46.2-2099.53 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 15 of Chapter 20 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-2099.54 as follows:

§ 46.2-2099.45. Certificates required unless exempted.

Unless otherwise exempted, no person shall engage in the business of a transportation network company on any highway within the Commonwealth on an intrastate basis unless such person has secured from the Department a certificate of fitness authorizing such business.

The Department shall refuse to grant and revoke any existing certificate of fitness for any transportation network company that enters into an agreement with a TNC partner or passenger that requires waiver of his right to trial by jury.

§ 46.2-2099.48. General operational requirements for transportation network companies and TNC partner.

A. A transportation network company and a TNC partner shall provide passenger transportation only on a prearranged basis and only by means of a digital platform that enables passengers to connect with TNC partners using a TNC partner vehicle. No TNC partner shall transport a passenger unless a transportation network company has matched the TNC partner to that passenger through the digital platform. A TNC partner shall not provide transportation in any other manner. A TNC partner shall not solicit, accept, or arrange transportation except through a transportation network company's digital platform or through a TNC broker.

B. A transportation network company shall authorize collection of fares for transporting passengers solely through a digital platform. A TNC partner shall not accept payment of fares directly from a passenger or any other person prearranging a ride or by any means other than electronically via a digital platform, unless:

1. The ride is booked by a transit system, with a transportation network company with which it has a contract, on behalf of an eligible paratransit passenger;

2. The fare is a defined amount, as published by the transit system, and is communicated to the passenger in advance;

3. The transportation network company specifically authorizes over the digital network the TNC partner to collect cash for the fare, and that authorization includes the amount to be collected. The transportation network company's digital platform shall provide the TNC partner with a method to acknowledge receipt of the fare when it is collected;

4. The passenger receives a receipt for the fare paid; and

5. The transit system receives a receipt and full accounting of cash fares monthly, or on demand, through the transportation network company's account dashboard.

C. A transportation network company with knowledge that a TNC partner has violated the provisions of subsection A or B shall remove the TNC partner from the transportation network company's digital platform for at least one year.

D. A transportation network company shall publish the following information on its public website and associated digital platform:

1. The method used to calculate fares or the applicable rates being charged and an option to receive an estimated fare;

2. Information about its TNC partner screening criteria, including a description of the offenses that the transportation network company will regard as grounds for disqualifying an individual from acting as a TNC partner;

3. The means for a passenger or other person to report a TNC partner reasonably suspected of operating a TNC partner vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol;

4. Information about the company's training and testing policies for TNC partners;

5. Information about the company's standards for TNC partner vehicles; and

6. A customer support telephone number or email address and instructions regarding any alternative methods for reporting a complaint.

E. A transportation network company shall associate a TNC partner with one or more personal vehicles and shall authorize a TNC partner to transport passengers only in a vehicle specifically associated with a TNC partner by the transportation network company. The transportation network company shall arrange transportation solely for previously associated TNC partners and TNC partner vehicles. A TNC partner shall not transport passengers except in a TNC partner vehicle associated with the TNC partner by the transportation network company.

F. A TNC