Virginia Senate advances package of bills, passes measures on gig-driver transparency and elections
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Summary
On Feb. 4, 2026, the Senate of Virginia in Richmond passed a slate of bills including SB 550 (gig-driver transparency) and SB 350 (absentee ballot processing), failed several transportation and public-safety measures, and set aside one contested transit enforcement bill for later consideration.
The Senate of Virginia met in the Senate Chamber in Richmond on Feb. 4, 2026, and voted on a broad set of bills ranging from gig-worker transparency to election procedures. Presiding "Madam President" opened the session, and the body moved several uncontested calendars in block before taking separate action on a number of contested measures.
The junior senator from Loudoun moved consideration of Senate Bill 550 and described a floor amendment that removed a requirement for transportation network companies to notify drivers about updates to trip receipts; the senator said the change "positions the bill so that all stakeholders have peace in the valley." The Senate agreed to the amendment and passed SB 550 unanimously (Ayes 40, No 0).
Senate Bill 350, carried by the senator from Western Prince William, permits officers at central absentee voter precincts to begin ascertaining and recording counts from absentee ballots that are machine‑scanned after 5 p.m. on election day under Department of Elections procedures, while prohibiting transmission of totals outside the precinct before polls close. The sponsor said the measure will "get election results a lot quicker on election day itself" and help preserve trust. The Senate passed SB 350 (Ayes 23, Nos 17).
Other votes of note:
- SB 493 (consumer protection, "click to cancel"): Passed unanimously; sponsor said it creates a simple mechanism to cancel subscription auto‑renewals (Ayes 40, No 0). - SB 17 (vehicle disposal/tow procedures): Passed (Ayes 32, Nos 8). - SB 506 (vehicle windshield film standard update): Passed (Ayes 39, Nos 1). - SB 218 (pause placements at Red Onion State Prison): Passed (Ayes 21, Nos 19). - SB 396 (initial licensure for 18–21-year-olds): Initially failed (Ayes 19, Nos 21), then was reconsidered later in the day and passed on final action after reconsideration (Ayes 22, Nos 18). - SB 663 (emergency vehicle exemptions to certain traffic rules): Failed (Ayes 16, Nos 24).
Several bills on the uncontested calendar were placed in a final-passage block and agreed to without separate debate. The clerk read numerous bill numbers during the block placement and the presiding officer announced the block's passage.
The clerk concluded the day's announcements with committee meeting times and the Senate adjourned until noon the following day.
What happens next: bills that passed are advanced to the next steps established by law; contested measures may return to the floor for further amendment or consideration per the Senate calendar.
