A sign alerts drivers to a speed camera on Fairfax Boulevard near Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Va., Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. The image, originally captured in October 2025, reflects one of several automated enforcement zones that could be eliminated under proposed state legislation.
Two Virginia Democratic senators, Jennifer Boysko of Herndon and Lashrecse Aird of Petersburg, helped advance SB 306 and SB 297 patroned by Republican Sen. Mark J. Peake on Jan. 22, bills that would stop the use of speed and red-light cameras.
The Senate Transportation Committee supported both bills on 8-7 votes, with Boysko and Aird joining six Republicans to advance the bills. Boysko said in a text: “My vote to move the bill forward was intended as a statement of concern that the cameras are not being used for safety as much as revenue generators.”
“Two bills currently before the Virginia Senate (SB 297 and SB 306) would eliminate speed safety cameras around schools and red-light cameras at intersections,” said Fairfax Families for Safe Streets on Instagram. “These tools are proven to reduce crashes and protect kids, yet both bills narrowly passed committee and are headed for a full Senate vote this Monday, Feb. 2.
“Sen. Boysko already voted to repeal the use of these cameras when the Transportation subcommittee voted 8 to 7 to repeal. Please contact the Senator … and urge her to vote NO on SB 297 and SB 306. Let’s keep proven safety measures in place and our schools and intersections safer for everyone.”
Patroned by Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, SB 306 would repeal the authority of localities to use red-light cameras, and SB 297 would repeal the authority for speed cameras in school zones and highway work zones. Peake argued that automated cameras are an example of government overreach and “surveillance creep.”
Additionally, Boysko said in the text she is “expecting that the patron will offer a floor amendment to clarify the revenue generation piece and to exclude school safety zones and work zone(s) along with high crash intersections from his bill.”
Currently, camera fines go to localities after the camera vendor is paid. For cameras operated by local law enforcement, revenue stays with the city or county after the vendor is paid its monthly fee or per-ticket fee. There is no state requirement for how localities spend camera revenue.
A Virginia State Crime Commission report from Dec. 2025 confirmed that nearly $60 million has been collected from speed camera citations since 2022. The report noted that currently revenue is paid directly to localities with no state restrictions or requirements to report how that revenue is spent.
Arlington County Speed Camera Guidelines reports, “ Revenue collected from camera violation fines is directed into the County’s general fund.”
Localities have used these funds for sidewalk repairs in Virginia Beach, police personnel costs in Albemarle County and a behavior-change marketing campaign in Fairfax County. There is no strict state audit to enforce exactly how those safety-related dollars are categorized.