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SB135 • 2026

Motor vehicle title databases; DMV to enter agreements with nationally recognized databases, etc.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-208.4, relating to Department of Motor Vehicles; motor vehicle title databases.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
DeSteph
Last action
2026-03-10
Official status
Failed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Motor Vehicle Title Databases

This bill allows Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to enter into agreements with nationally recognized motor vehicle title databases to share car owner and loan information between government offices.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the DMV to make agreements with nationally recognized motor vehicle title databases.
  • Requires these databases to keep shared data safe and secure.
  • Limits the sharing of information to what is needed to check or confirm who owns a car or has a loan on it.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Motor Vehicles in Virginia
  • Nationally recognized motor vehicle title databases

Terms To Know

lienholder
A person or company that has a legal claim on a car because they lent money to buy it.
secure storage
Keeping information safe and protected from being seen by unauthorized people.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify which national databases the DMV can use.
  • It is unclear how this will affect car owners or lienholders directly.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-10 House

    Left in Transportation

  2. 2026-02-24 Department of Motor Vehicles

    Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 3-N)

  3. 2026-02-20 Department of Motor Vehicles

    Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles

  4. 2026-02-10 House

    Placed on Calendar

  5. 2026-02-10 House

    Read first time

  6. 2026-02-10 Transportation

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

  7. 2026-02-05 Senate

    Read third time and passed Senate (32-Y 8-N 0-A)

  8. 2026-02-04 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  9. 2026-02-04 Senate

    Read third time

  10. 2026-02-03 Senate

    Read second time

  11. 2026-02-03 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

  12. 2026-02-02 Senate

    Rules suspended

  13. 2026-02-02 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  14. 2026-02-02 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  15. 2026-02-02 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  16. 2026-02-02 Senate

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  17. 2026-01-29 Transportation

    Reported from Transportation (11-Y 3-N)

  18. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB135)

  19. 2026-01-06 Senate

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102414D

  20. 2026-01-06 Transportation

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

Official Summary Text

Department of Motor Vehicles; motor vehicle title databases.
Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to enter into agreements with nationally recognized motor vehicle title databases to share and receive motor vehicle owner and lienholder information between governmental entities.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
46.2-208.4
, relating to Department of Motor Vehicles; motor vehicle title databases.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
46.2-208.4
as follows:
§
46.2-208.4
. Use of certain title databases; receipt of data.
Notwithstanding the provisions of §
46.2-208
, the Department may enter into agreements with nationally recognized motor vehicle title databases to share and receive motor vehicle owner and lienholder information between governmental entities. Any such database shall provide for the secure storage of any data shared by the Department. Any release of information pursuant to this section shall be limited to information necessary to determine or verify motor vehicle ownership and lienholder status.