Virginia SB 297: Photo speed monitoring devices; law-enforcement agencies to report to VSP number of summonses, etc.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26101328D

SENATE BILL NO. 297

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 33.2-373, 46.2-208, and 46.2-882 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal § 46.2-882.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to use of photo speed monitoring devices; repeal.

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Patron—Peake

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Referred to Committee on Transportation

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 33.2-373, 46.2-208, and 46.2-882 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 33.2-373. Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program.

A. The Board shall establish the Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program (the Program) to reduce motorized and nonmotorized fatalities and severe injuries on highways in the Commonwealth, whether such highways are state or locally maintained. The Board shall use funds set aside pursuant to § 33.2-358 and any funds deposited pursuant to § 46.2-882.1 for the Program.

B. Beginning in fiscal year 2024, the Board shall, after program administration costs, allocate the funds in accordance with its adopted investment strategy pursuant to subsection C as follows:

1. At least 54 percent for infrastructure projects that address a hazardous road location or feature and address an identified highway safety problem;

2. At least 29 percent for strategies and activities to address behavioral causes of crashes that result in fatalities and severe injuries; and

3. The remaining amount for eligible purposes under this section pursuant to the investment strategy adopted pursuant to subsection C.

C. The Board shall adopt an investment strategy to guide the investments of the Program. The strategy shall cover a period of at least five years and seek to achieve a significant reduction in the anticipated number of fatalities and severe injuries over the covered period and shall give priority to projects, strategies, and activities based on the expected reduction in fatalities and severe injuries relative to cost, including improvements that are widely implemented based on a high-risk roadway feature that is correlated with a particular crash type, rather than crash frequency.

§ 46.2-208. Records of Department; when open for inspection; release of privileged information.

A. The following information shall be considered privileged and unless otherwise provided for in this title shall not be released except as provided in subsection B:

1. Personal information as defined in § 2.2-3801;

2. Driver information, defined as all data that relates to driver's license status and driver activity;

3. Special identification card information, defined as all data that relates to identification card status; and

4. Vehicle information, including all descriptive vehicle data and title, registration, and vehicle activity data, but excluding crash data.

B. The Commissioner shall release such information only under the following conditions:

1. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, medical information included in personal information shall be released only to a physician, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse in accordance with a proceeding under §§ 46.2-321 and 46.2-322.

2, 3. [Repealed.]

4. Upon the request of (i) the subject of the information, (ii) the parent of a minor who is the subject of the information, (iii) the guardian of the subject of the information, (iv) the authorized agent or representative of the subject of the information, or (v) the owner of the vehicle that is the subject of the information, the Commissioner shall provide him with the requested information and a complete explanation of it. Requests for such information need not be made in writing or in person and may be made orally or by telephone, provided that the Department is satisfied that there is adequate verification of the requester's identity. When so requested in writing by (a) the subject of the information, (b) the parent of a minor who is the subject of the information, (c) the guardian of the subject of the information, (d) the authorized agent or representative of the subject of the information, or (e) the owner of the vehicle that is the subject of the information, the Commissioner shall verify and, if necessary, correct the personal information provided and furnish driver, special identification card, or vehicle information. If the requester is requesting such information in the scope of his official business as counsel from a public defender's office or as counsel appointed by a court, such records shall be provided free of charge.

5. Upon the written request of any insurance carrier or surety, or authorized agent of either, the Commissioner shall furnish to such requester information in the record of any person subject to the provisions of this title. The transcript shall include any record of any conviction of a violation of any provision of any statute or ordinance relating to the operation or ownership of a mo