Authority: Title 46.2, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, and 17; §§ 18.2-266 through 18.2-272; Title 58.1, Chapters 21 and 24, Code of Virginia. Title 33, Chapter 4, United States Code.

A. The Commissioner, Department of Motor Vehicles, is authorized to establish, where feasible and cost efficient, contracts with private/public partnerships with commercial operations, to provide for simplification and streamlining of service to citizens through electronic means. Provided, however, that such commercial operations shall not be entitled to compensation as established under § 46.2-205, Code of Virginia, but rather at rates limited to those established by the Commissioner.

B. Included in the appropriation reductions for this program are the cost savings associated with the closing of 12 DMV Customer Service Centers (Warrenton, West Henrico, Gloucester, Sterling, Bedford, Rocky Mount, Bristol, Woodstock, Northern Virginia Dealer Center, Norfolk Military Circle, Chesterfield and Fair Oaks Mall), including monies for payment of leases associated with these facilities. No amount provided in this act shall be used for payment of leases associated with these facilities.

C. The closed customer service centers owned by the Commonwealth and the mobile customer service centers shall be sold. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-1156, Code of Virginia, all proceeds from the sale of such property, estimated to be $2,725,360, shall be deposited into the general fund.

D. In order to provide citizens of the Commonwealth greater access to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the agency is authorized to enter into agreements with any local constitutional officers to act as licensed agents for the department and to negotiate a separate compensation schedule for such officers other than the schedule set out in § 46.2-205. Any compensation due to constitutional officers serving as licensed agents shall be transferred to the Compensation Board for distribution to the office of the appropriate constitutional officer.

E. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall raise the reinstatement fee for every suspended or revoked license that is reinstated by $10, from $30 to $40.

The revenues derived from this increase shall be used for the following:

1. to contract with additional licensed agents to supplement Department of Motor Vehicles’ services in areas with the greatest customer needs and demands;

2. to place additional automated kiosks in customer service centers to allow for greater access to on-line transactions;

3. to deploy mobile teams to rural areas to provide driver’s license tests and driving evaluations; and

4. to implement such other actions as may be appropriate to enhance the availability of Department of Motor Vehicles’ services.

For each of these actions, the agency shall determine the appropriate extent and locations, based on a statewide evaluation of customer needs and demand.