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ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2006 SESSION
Chairman: Martin E. Williams
Clerk: Bonnie W. Shelhorse
Staff: Alan Wambold, Stephanie Bishop
Date of Meeting: January 26, 2006
Time and Place: 1/2 hour after adjournment/Senate Room B
Funds for access roads to industrial sites, etc.; funds for industrial access rail tracks. Provides for an allocation of $2.75 million each to the industrial access road program and the industrial rail access program for fiscal year 2006-2007, with this amount to be increased annually, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The bill also provides that the time limits of bonds entered into by localities under the industrial access road program do not commence prior to the localities' receipt of funds under the program.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 33.1-221 and 33.1-221.1:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to funds for access roads to industrial sites, etc., and funds for industrial access rail tracks.068717808
HOV lanes. Prohibits imposition and collection of tolls for use of HOV lanes by vehicles having the required number of occupants.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-46.2 of the Code of Virginia, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, relating to imposition and collection of tolls for use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes.068727796
Motor medics pilot program. Creates a motor medics pilot program in the South Hampton Roads area including the cities of Suffolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Norfolk. The program implements the use of motorcycles as a type of emergency medical services vehicle with the objective of reducing response time of emergency medical services personnel to emergencies.
A BILL to create a motor medics pilot program in the South Hampton Roads area.067028752
Ignition interlock system; exemption. Allows the court to grant an exemption to a person otherwise required to use an ignition interlock system if the court determines that an exemption is warranted based on physician documentation that a person's medical condition prevents him from correctly utilizing the ignition interlock system.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-270.1 and 18.2-271.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to ignition interlock systems.063389768
Industrial access grants. Extends the terms of an October 9, 2001, access grant made by VDOT to Floyd County until March 30, 2007.
A BILL to extend a certain grant made by the Department of Transportation to Floyd County in connection with the industrial access road program.068805808
Primary and secondary highway construction funds allocations. Revises the formulas used to allocate primary and secondary highway construction funds so that such funds are allocated on the basis of population.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 33.1-23.2 and 33.1-23.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to allocation of construction funds for primary and secondary system highways.065628784
Tow trucks; towing and recovery operators; local-option regulations; regulation by Board for Towing and Recovery Operators; civil penalty. Transfers the definition of "tow truck" from its present location to § 46.2-100 (the general definitions applicable to all of Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles)) and uses this defined term ("tow truck") to replace references to the undefined terms "wrecker" and "towing and recovery vehicle." The bill allows a mechanic's lien for "towing, storage, and recovery" in addition to the present "keeping, supporting, and care,"; increases the present three-day limit for garage keepers to obtain vehicle data from DMV and provide written notice to the owner of the stored vehicle to a seven-day limit; raises the so-called "junk car" threshold from the present $5,000 to $10,000 and increases from $25 per day to $50 per day the amount owed for storage if a vehicle is towed, unclaimed, and sold. The bill also revises the procedures by which towing and storage companies may seek to recover their fees and charges for towing away and storing immobilized and abandoned vehicles and provides that, when stolen vehicles are recovered, owners of the recovered vehicles pay the towing and storage charges and can be reimbursed from the appropriation for criminal charges. In addition, it provides that local towing regulations can be no less restrictive than those imposed by the new Board for Towing and Recovery Operators and requires that signs used to provide notice that a trespassing vehicle will be towed include at least the nonemergency telephone number of the local law-enforcement agency or the telephone number of the towing and recovery business authorized to perform the tows. The measure also expands localities' ability to regulate "trespass tows" by ordinance and provides that, in the event a vehicle is towed from one locality to be stored in another, the ordinances of the locality from which the vehicle was towed shall apply, and prohibits local requirements that towing and recovery businesses provide service as repair facilities, body shops, or filling stations. Under this measure, localities would be authorized by ordinance to require photographic evidence to justify "trespass tows," posting of signs providing notice of where towed vehicles may be reclaimed and the name and telephone number of local consumer affairs offices, obtaining so-called "second signatures" from property owner agents prior to tows. The bill additionally prohibits certain relationships between towing and recovery businesses and the agents of property owners from whose property trespassing vehicles are towed by the towing and recovery businesses. The maximum allowable hookup and initial towing fee for trespass tows of passenger cars would be increased from $85 to $125, unless local ordinance sets a different limit, and the amount of additional fees for late night, weekend, and holiday tows would be raised from $10 to $25. The bill reduces from 24 hours to 12 hours the period of initial storage for which no storage or safekeeping charge can be imposed, allows local governments, by ordinance, to (i) prohibit storage charges for periods of time when owners cannot reclaim their vehicles because the towing and recovery business is closed and (ii) place caps on the charges that these businesses may impose and requires that any such limits be subject to "periodic and timely" adjustments. Local towing advisory boards would be required to consist of an equal number of representatives of local law-enforcement agencies and representatives of towing and recovery operators, plus one "civilian," and would have to meet at least once per year at the call of the chairman, who is to be chosen annually by a majority vote of the board. Finally, the bill establishes a new Board of Towing and Recovery Operators to license and regulate the towing and recovery industry and tow truck drivers.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 43-32, 43-34, 46.2-100, 46.2-649.1, 46.2-1028, 46.2-1070, 46.2-1150, 46.2-1209, 46.2-1217, 46.2-1224, 46.2-1231, 46.2-1232, 46.2-1233.1, 46.2-1233.2, and 46.2-2100, and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 46.2 a chapter numbered 28, consisting of sections numbered 46.2-2800 through 46.2-2828, relating to tow trucks, wreckers, towing and recovery vehicles, and the Board for Towing and Recovery Operators; civil penalty.068770784
Integrated Directional Signing Program. Requires VDOT to provide by regulation that businesses that do not provide public restroom facilities, food, lodging, fuel, or destination recreational opportunities will be included as eligible for signage under the Integrated Directional Signing Program.
A BILL to specify certain duties of the Commonwealth Transportation Board in connection with the Integrated Directional Signing Program.066134724
Proof of legal presence in the United States. Provides that a valid, unexpired driver's license from any other state in the United States shall be deemed proof of legal presence in the United States.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-328.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to proof of legal presence in the United States.067945750
Allocation of highway construction funds for rail projects. Allows the Commonwealth Transportation Board to allocate up to 10% of funds available for highway construction to undertaking and financing of rail projects that, in its determination, will result in mitigation of highway congestion.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-23.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to allocation of highway construction funds for rail projects that will result in mitigation of highway congestion.068830848
Temporary registration of vehicles. Replaces temporary "certificates of ownership," issued by dealers, with "temporary registrations." Provision is also made for use of electronic records in connection with temporary registrations.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1542 of the Code of Virginia, relating to application for temporary registration of motor vehicles.068831848
Virginia Airports Revolving Fund; prepayment of loans from the Fund. Provides that the Virginia Resources Authority (VRA) may not include as a provision in a loan from the Fund any penalty for early payment. The bill would allow the Authority to charge and collect costs directly relating to the defeasance of principal and interest on obligations issued by the Authority. The bill would also prohibit VRA from collecting a prepayment penalty on any loan outstanding to a local government as of June 30, 2006.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 5.1-30.2 and 5.1-30.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the repayment of loans made from the Virginia Airports Revolving Fund.069158848
Construction by state and local employees. Allows local employees to build roads that are funded by the State.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-190 of the Code of Virginia, relating to construction by state or local employees.067938848
Rail Advisory Board. Provides that the members of the Rail Advisory Board are not subject to the provisions of § 2.2-3112, prohibited conduct concerning personal interest in a transaction.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-391.3:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Rail Advisory Board.067939848
Motor vehicle operating in emergency situations. Allows vehicles authorized by § 46.2-1024 to be equipped with red or red and white warning lights (vehicles owned by members of fire departments, volunteer fire companies, or volunteer rescue squads; ambulance drivers employed by privately owned ambulance services; and police chaplains) to also be equipped with sirens, exhaust whistles, and air horns. The bill also allows these vehicles to ignore certain traffic laws in emergency situations, subject to the same limitations as police vehicles, ambulances, and fire apparatus.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-920 and 46.2-1061 of the Code of Virginia, relating to exemption of certain vehicles operating in emergency situations from certain traffic laws.068734728
O. Winston Link Trail. Establishes the O. Winston Link Trail and requires the Department of Transportation to place and maintain markers directing travelers to the trail's component sites.
A BILL to establish the O. Winston Link Trail; Department of Transportation to place and maintain markers.068719728
Stopping for pedestrians; penalty. Requires the driver of any vehicle traveling at a maximum speed of 35 mph to stop for pedestrians crossing the highway or street at any clearly marked crosswalk.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-924 of the Code of Virginia, relating to stopping for pedestrians; penalty.067904828
Golf carts on public highways. Allows towns with a population of less than 1,000 to operate golf carts on public highways within their boundaries.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-916.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the operation of golf carts on public highways.063378804
Environmental impact study; Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Requires the Secretaries of Transportation and Natural Resources to conduct an environmental impact study including an analysis of the impact of HOT lanes and any other strategies used to expedite the movement of traffic between the Springfield Interchange and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
A BILL to require the Virginia Department of Transportation to conduct an environmental impact study on certain highway construction leading to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.067940720
Vehicle classifications and endorsements; school buses. Requires certain school bus operators to obtain a school bus endorsement.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-341.16 of the Code of Virginia, relating to vehicle classifications and endorsements; school buses.068033124
Motor vehicle dealers; bond requirements. Increases the required bond that motor vehicle dealers must carry for their first three years of operation from $25,000 to $50,000.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-1527.1, 46.2-1527.2, and 46.2-1527.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to motor vehicle dealers; bond requirements.068032124
Highway maintenance, construction, or reconstruction payments to Town of Broadway. Requires the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner, subject to the approval of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, to make payments for maintenance, construction, or reconstruction of highways to the Town of Broadway.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-41.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to payments by the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner to the Town of Broadway for maintenance, construction, or reconstruction of highways.060817782
Emergency lights on motorcycles used by law enforcement. Authorizes motorcycles used by law enforcement in the course of official duties to be equipped with an emergency headlight with a built-in strobe light, approved by the Federal Department of Transportation, to be used during emergency operations.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-1029.3, relating to emergency lights on motorcycles used by law enforcement.060818782
Approaching certain stationary vehicles on highways; penalties. Adds State Police motorist assistance vehicles and VDOT Freeway Incident Response Team (FIRT) vehicles to the list of vehicles to which approaching traffic must yield the right-of-way by changing lanes.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-921.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to approaching certain stationary vehicles on highways; penalties.067857726
Photo-monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals. Allows the Counties of Arlington and Fairfax, the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Virginia Beach, and the Town of Vienna to establish photo-monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals, subject to specific requirements and procedures set forth in the bill.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-833.02, relating to use of photo-monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals.067858726
Alternative fuel vehicles; high-occupancy lanes. Extends the sunset authorizing HOV lane use by vehicles bearing clean special fuel license plates to July 1, 2008. The bill also increases first and second offense fines in Planning District Eight to $125 and $250 respectively.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-46.2, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to alternative fuel vehicles; high-occupancy vehicle lanes.067859726
Low-water bridge in Pound. Requires the Virginia Department of Transportation to reimburse Dickenson County for expenses incurred in reconstructing the low-water bridge in the Town of Pound.
A BILL to require the Virginia Department of Transportation to reimburse Dickenson County for certain bridge reconstruction costs.067894792
Blue Star Memorial Highway. Designates a portion of Old Keene Mill Road in Fairfax County a "Blue Star Memorial Highway."
A BILL to amend and reenact § 1 of Chapter 453 of the Acts of Assembly of 1990, as amended by Chapter 254 of the Acts of Assembly of 2005, relating to the "Blue Star Memorial Highway."063789260
Route 610 bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railway right-of-way in Wythe County. Requires the Norfolk Southern Railway to repair and maintain the Virginia Route 610 bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railway right-of-way 2.25 miles east of Virginia Route 712 and 1.6 miles west of the intersection of Virginia Route 613 in Wythe County so as to allow the structure to be posted by the Department of Transportation for a 16-ton weight limit.
A BILL to require the owner of a certain bridge to repair and maintain the structure.068851792
Passenger rail service liability. Authorizes any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth that provides public rail transportation services to contract with a railroad company to allocate financial responsibility for claims related to passenger rail services. The measure limits the aggregate liability of the agency or political subdivision and the railroad company for claims arising from a single accident or incident related to passenger rail services to $200 million per incident or accident.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 56-446.1, relating to limitations on passenger rail transportation liability.062711816
Mobility goals for addressing the transportation needs of populations with limited mobility. Requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board, in cooperation with other local, regional, or statewide agencies and entities vested with transportation planning responsibilities, to establish specific mobility goals for addressing the transportation needs of populations with limited mobility and incorporate such goals in the development and implementation of the Statewide Transportation Plan required by § 33.1-23.03.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 33.1-23.03:0001, relating to establishment of specific mobility goals for addressing the transportation needs of populations with limited mobility.069829768
Mopeds and motorized scooters and skateboards. Allows localities to adopt ordinances regulating noise from motorized scooters and skateboards. The bill also defines "motorized skateboard or scooter" and limits where motorized skateboards and scooters may lawfully be operated.
A BILL to amend §§ 15.2-919, 46.2-100, 46.2-808, 46.2-904 through 46.2-907, 46.2-908.1, 46.2-932, 46.2-1047, and 46.2-1049 of the Code of Virginia, relating to mopeds, motorcycles, motorized skateboards and scooters, and motorized cycles; penalty.068870364