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Bill

HB 351

Military Affairs, Dept. of, emergency vehicles; equipped with flashing red and white warning lights.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Feggans

Virginia grants its Department of Military Affairs authority to outfit emergency vehicles with red and white flashing warning lights for roadway safety and emergency response visibility.

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 351

Legislative bill overview

HB 351 authorizes the Department of Military Affairs in Virginia to equip its emergency vehicles with flashing red and white warning lights. The bill appears to standardize lighting equipment for military department vehicles responding to emergencies, bringing them into alignment with other emergency vehicle protocols.

Why is this important

Emergency lighting on vehicles serves critical public safety functions by alerting other drivers and pedestrians to the presence of emergency responders and hazardous situations. Standardizing these requirements across state military affairs departments ensures consistent emergency response visibility and reduces confusion on roadways.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope clarification: The bill's definition of "emergency vehicles" under military affairs may be ambiguous—it's unclear whether this applies to all military department vehicles or only specific categories used for emergency response.
  • Regulatory consistency: Questions may arise about whether military vehicles should follow the same lighting regulations as civilian emergency services (police, fire, EMS) or maintain different standards.
  • Cost and implementation: Equipping vehicles with specialized flashing lights involves procurement costs and vehicle modifications that may not have been fully detailed in legislative analysis.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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