Virginia lawmakers approve measure by Sen. Roem expanding DMV online donations, altering highway safety fund

A bill recently passed by the Virginia legislature, introduced by Sen. Danica A. Roem, plans to broaden DMV online donation offerings and update funding procedures for highway safety programs and related registration processes, as stated by the Virginia State Senate.

The legislation cleared both chambers, officially enrolled as of March 9, 2026, securing a 97-0 vote in the House and a 40-0 vote in the Senate.

Filed as SB41 on Jan. 14, 2026, during the 2026 regular session, the bill is summarized by the legislature as follows: “Motor Vehicles, Department of; electronic transactions, voluntary contributions.”

Our analysis below is based on the actual bill text and may interpret provisions for clarity.

The bill directs the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to let individuals making DMV transactions online voluntarily contribute to the Virginia Donor Registry and Public Awareness Fund as well as the Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program. The DMV will collect and send those contributions regularly to the Virginia Transplant Council and Commonwealth Transportation Board. The measure revises funding sources and distribution policies for the highway safety program and updates cross-references so disability indicators and communication-impairment registration flags are synchronized on driver’s licenses, special ID cards, ID privilege cards and vehicle registrations.

In the House, 62 Democrats and 35 Republicans voted for the measure.

Similarly, in the Senate, 21 Democrats and 19 Republicans supported it.

Sen. Danica A. Roem (Democrat-30th District) was the sole sponsor of this bill.

Roem earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in 2006.

Roem, a Democrat, began her term in the Virginia State Senate in 2024, representing the 30th Senate district after Adam Ebbin.

In Virginia, the legislative process starts when a bill is introduced in either chamber. It is referred to committee(s) for review and potential revision. If it moves out of committee, it proceeds to floor debate and voting in both the House and Senate. Passage by both sends it to the governor, who may sign, veto, or allow it to become law. The General Assembly meets annually in regular session beginning the second Monday of January, and members submit hundreds of bills, though only a fraction are enacted.

Details in this story were provided by the Virginia State Senate. The original data is available here.