Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia HB 561
Driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests, repeat offenders, ignition interlocks.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Patrick A. Hope (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED
Driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests; repeat offenders; ignition interlocks. Permits a court to issue a restricted license with immediate installation of ignition interlock systems for certain offenders charged with driving while intoxicated, refusal of tests, or repeat offender violations. The bill also directs the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program to convene a work group to evaluate the provisions governing driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and submit recommendations and a draft report to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice by November 1, 2026. Current law requires various time limits of driver's license suspension for such violations before a restricted license may be issued.
Text versions
- Introduced
- Criminal Subcommittee Amendment
- Engrossed
- Courts of Justice Amendment
- Senate Amendments
- Enrolled
- Governor's Recommendation
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:04 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11, 2026 House | H VOTE: | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 10, 2026 Senate | Passage R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 9, 2026 Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 5, 2026 Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 17, 2026 House | H VOTE: | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 11, 2026 House | Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 4, 2026 House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
Actions
- Apr 13, 2026
Governor's recommendation received by House - Mar 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 - Mar 31, 2026 · House
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 - Mar 31, 2026 · House
Signed by Speaker - Mar 31, 2026 · House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561) - Mar 30, 2026 · Senate
Signed by President - Mar 30, 2026 · House
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB561ER) - Mar 30, 2026 · House
Enrolled - Mar 11, 2026 · House
Senate amendments agreed to by House (90-Y 7-N 0-A) - Mar 10, 2026 · Senate
Passed Senate with amendments (35-Y 5-N 0-A) - Mar 10, 2026 · Senate
Engrossed by Senate as amended - Mar 10, 2026 · Senate
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to - Mar 10, 2026 · Senate
Read third time - Mar 9, 2026 · Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) - Mar 9, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) - Mar 9, 2026 · Senate
Rules suspended - Mar 5, 2026 · House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561) - Mar 5, 2026 · Senate
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (12-Y 2-N) - Mar 5, 2026 · Senate
Senate committee offered - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) - Feb 17, 2026 · House
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A) - Feb 16, 2026 · House
Engrossed by House as amended - Feb 16, 2026 · House
committee amendments agreed to - Feb 16, 2026 · House
Read second time - Feb 13, 2026 · House
Read first time - Feb 11, 2026 · House
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N) - Feb 4, 2026 · House
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N) - Feb 4, 2026 · House
House subcommittee offered - Feb 3, 2026 · House
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal - Feb 2, 2026 · House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561) - Jan 13, 2026 · House
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice - Jan 13, 2026 · House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105186D