An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-1181 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 17.1:1, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-207.6:1 through 59.1-207.6:4; and to repeal § 59.1-207.5:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to motor vehicles; emissions; glass repair and replacement.
HB312 makes two related changes to Virginia motor vehicle law. First, it updates the emissions inspection waiver rules in § 46.2-1181 by revising the repair-cost thresholds that a vehicle owner must meet before qualifying for a waiver after failing emissions testing. The bill keeps the basic structure of the waiver program but adjusts the dollar amounts, ties some thresholds to inflation through the Consumer Price Index, and clarifies that qualifying repairs must be performed by a certified repair technician and include both parts and labor.
Second, the bill creates a new chapter in Title 59.1 called the Motor Vehicle Glass Act. That chapter defines key terms related to motor vehicle glass repair and replacement, including “advanced driver assistance system,” “customer,” “motor vehicle glass repair shop,” and “notice.” The text shown indicates the chapter is intended to regulate glass repair and replacement practices, including communication with customers and likely procedures affecting windshield and window work, especially where modern vehicle safety systems are involved.
The bill amends Virginia’s emissions inspection waiver statute and adds a new consumer- and industry-facing regulatory framework for motor vehicle glass repair and replacement. It affects vehicle owners seeking emissions waivers, repair technicians certified under existing emissions rules, and motor vehicle glass repair shops operating in the Commonwealth. By repealing § 59.1-207.5:1 and replacing it with a new chapter, the bill appears to reorganize and modernize state law governing glass repair practices, including issues tied to advanced driver assistance systems and customer notice requirements.
Based on the available record, the bill appears to have been enacted without recorded opposition in the materials provided, and there are no committee transcripts or vote tallies showing controversy. The final status as an enacted chapter suggests the measure had sufficient support to pass both chambers and receive approval. Overall, the available context points to a generally favorable or at least uncontentious reception.
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or voting history. Potential areas of debate, based on the bill text, would likely include the revised emissions waiver repair thresholds, whether the amounts are high enough to help vehicle owners, and the new obligations or notice requirements for motor vehicle glass repair shops. Another possible issue is the bill’s treatment of advanced driver assistance systems in glass replacement work, which could affect repair costs, procedures, and liability for shops and insurers.