summary
Introduced
01/22/2026
01/22/2026
In Committee
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Insurance; Fire Programs Fund; fees for vehicles; Virginia At Risk Fire Grant Program established; Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Fund established. Increases the fire insurance assessment from one percent of total direct gross premium income for such insurance to (i) 1.5 percent on and after July 1, 2026, but before July 1, 2027, and (ii) two percent on and after July 1, 2027. The bill also increases the vehicle registration fee used to provide support for emergency medical services from $4.25 to $6.25 for each pickup or panel truck and each motor vehicle. The bill also establishes (a) the Virginia At Risk Fire Grant Program, to be funded by 0.25 percent of the assessments on insurance companies, for the purposes of providing grants to localities with fire departments that are determined to be most at risk of being unable to provide fire suppression or rescue activities or maintain compliance with relevant laws and regulations and (b) the Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Fund, for the purpose of purchasing breathing apparatus equipment and other non-vehicular equipment necessary for the protection of firefighters responding to a fire.
AI Summary
This bill increases the fire insurance assessment rate from one percent to 1.5 percent starting July 1, 2026, and then to two percent starting July 1, 2027, meaning insurance companies will pay a higher percentage of their premium income into the Fire Programs Fund, which supports fire services. Additionally, the bill raises the vehicle registration fee for pickup trucks, panel trucks, and other motor vehicles by $2, from $4.25 to $6.25, with the majority of this increase dedicated to emergency medical services. The legislation also establishes two new programs: the Virginia At Risk Fire Grant Program, funded by a portion of the insurance assessments, to provide grants to fire departments facing significant challenges in providing fire suppression or rescue services, and the Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Fund, which will purchase essential safety gear like breathing apparatus for firefighters.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) (on 02/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB775 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB775) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1108741.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB775/text/SB775 |
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