2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103807D

SENATE BILL NO. 482

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to direct the Virginia Department of Transportation to study safe and environmentally sensitive alternatives to using Sodium Chloride to treat and pretreat roadways for winter weather; report.

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Patrons—Roem and Srinivasan

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) shall conduct a study on safe and environmentally sensitive alternatives to using Sodium Chloride, or rock salt, to treat and pretreat roadways for winter weather and evaluate the potential costs and benefits of such alternatives. In conducting the study, VDOT shall measure the impact of current treatment and pretreatment substances on infrastructure and the environment and their corrosive effects on personal property and compare such impacts to the impact of potential alternatives on infrastructure, environment, and personal property. The study shall consider a variety of alternatives, including nonchemical substances and new technologies, and compare the costs and potential savings of each. VDOT shall submit a report to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Transportation no later than November 15, 2026, on its findings that shall include an accounting of the annual spending by the state and local governments since 2020 on treating and pretreating activities and the amounts budgeted for 2026-2028. VDOT shall submit the report to the chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources or the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources upon request.