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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 686: Holding a handheld personal communications device while driving; driver improvement clinic.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 686 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Holding a handheld personal communications device while driving; driver improvement clinic. Primary sponsor: David Suetterlein (Republican). Most recent recorded action (April 8, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0518).

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Holding a handheld personal communications device while driving; driver improvement clinic. Clarifies that a court may order, for a first violation of texting and driving, the satisfactory completion of a driver improvement clinic in lieu of a conviction.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
David SuetterleinPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate4

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0518)
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 518 (effective 7/1/2026)
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
  5. Signed by President
  6. Signed by Speaker
  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB686)
  8. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB686ER)
  9. Enrolled
  10. Passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
  11. Read third time
  12. Read second time

Showing 12 most recent of 29 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source