SB 767: Motor vehicles; glass repair and replacement, emissions inspections, penalties, repeals. - Virginia

Labor and Commerce Substitute → Governor Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was changed from a House Substitute to a Governor Substitute, which updated the primary statute being amended from the Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-200) to the Emissions Inspection Act (§ 46.2-1181). This shift likely reflects a strategic decision to tie motor vehicle glass repair regulations more closely to emissions testing procedures. The substantive policy content regarding glass repair, calibration of driver assistance systems, and penalties remained identical in both versions.

Scope change

The bill's scope of applicability changed by altering the primary legal chapter it amends, moving from the general consumer protection framework to the specific motor vehicle emissions inspection framework.

SCOPE

The primary statute amended was changed from § 59.1-200 (Prohibited practices under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act) to § 46.2-1181 (Emissions inspection; cost of repairs; waivers).

The bill's purpose description was updated to include 'emissions' and 'glass repair and replacement' as the primary subjects, whereas the House version focused on consumer transactions and penalties.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was changed from 'Labor and Commerce Substitute' to 'Senate Substitute' (with a Governor's signature date), indicating a procedural change in how the bill was processed.

Finance and Appropriations Substitute → Labor and Commerce Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was transferred from the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to the House Labor and Commerce Committee, changing the bill's title from 'Finance and Appropriations Substitute' to 'Labor and Commerce Substitute.' The substantive legislative text regarding motor vehicle emissions waivers and the new Motor Vehicle Glass Act appears identical in both versions, with no changes to laws, penalties, or definitions.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; only the committee jurisdiction and bill classification were altered.

TECHNICAL

The bill's header and committee assignment changed from the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to the House Labor and Commerce Committee, indicating a procedural shift in which body is reviewing the legislation.

Commerce and Labor Substitute → Finance and Appropriations Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from a Senate Commerce and Labor Substitute to a Senate Finance and Appropriations Substitute, shifting the primary legislative focus from consumer protection to vehicle emissions and funding. The most significant change is the addition of a new section (§ 46.2-1181) that establishes specific dollar limits for emissions repair waivers, capping costs at $175 for older vehicles and $200 for newer ones. Additionally, the bill's scope was expanded to include amendments to the emissions inspection statute, whereas the original version focused solely on consumer protection and motor vehicle glass repair.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include amendments to the emissions inspection program (§ 46.2-1181), in addition to the original focus on consumer protection and motor vehicle glass repair.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section establishing specific cost caps for emissions repair waivers ($175 for pre-1980 vehicles and $200 for 1980+ vehicles), which was not present in the original version.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's title and description to include 'emissions' and amendments to § 46.2-1181, broadening the legislation beyond just consumer protection and glass repair.

TIMELINE

Updated the proposed date for the substitute from February 2, 2026, to February 10, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific eligibility criteria for emissions repair waivers, requiring repairs to be performed by certified technicians and limiting costs to defined amounts based on vehicle model year.

Enrolled → Commerce and Labor Substitute · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from an 'Enrolled' version (final law) to a 'Commerce and Labor Substitute' (amendment). The substantive policy content regarding prohibited business practices and the new Motor Vehicle Glass Act remains identical; the only changes are the removal of the final 'Approved' status and the addition of draft formatting headers and page numbers.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's legal effect changed from enacted law to a proposed amendment pending further legislative action.

TIMELINE

Removed the 'Enrolled' and 'Approved' status, indicating the bill is no longer final law but a draft substitute.

TECHNICAL

Added draft headers, page numbers, and committee attribution text typical of legislative amendments.

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 9, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized as an Enrolled Act with minor formatting adjustments and a slight expansion of the bill's title to include emissions-related provisions. The core policy content regarding motor vehicle glass repair remains largely unchanged, though the final version specifies that the new chapter only includes sections up to 59.1-207.6:4, omitting the later sections on enforcement and penalties that were present in the introduced draft.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly narrowed in the final version; the new chapter now only includes sections 59.1-207.6:1 through 59.1-207.6:4, whereas the introduced version listed sections through 59.1-207.6:8.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated to explicitly mention 'emissions' alongside glass repair, reflecting the concurrent amendment to the emissions inspection statute.

The bill's description of the new chapter was adjusted to list sections only through 59.1-207.6:4, removing the reference to sections 5 through 8 found in the introduced version.

Standard Enrolled Act formatting and headers were added, including page numbers and approval stamps, which are not part of the legislative text itself.

Motor vehicles; glass repair and replacement, emissions inspections, penalties, repeals.

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