SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2009 SESSION

  • print version
Senate Committee on Transportation

Chairman: Yvonne B. Miller

Clerk: Bonnie W. Shelhorse
Staff: Alan Wambold, Caroline Stalker
Date of Meeting: January 22, 2009
Time and Place: 2 p.m/Senate Room B/GAB

S.B. 802

Patron: Lucas

Holland-Councill Memorial Bridge. Designates the U.S. Route 58 Business bridge over the Blackwater River in Isle of Wight County the "Holland-Councill Memorial Bridge."

A BILL to designate the U.S. Route 58 Business bridge over the Blackwater River in Isle of Wight County the "Holland-Councill Memorial Bridge."

093803260

S.B. 803

Patron: Miller, Y.B.

Off-road motorcycles.  Prohibits operation of off-road motorcycles on the highways.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-915.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to operation of off-road motorcycles.

083627276

S.B. 830

Patron: Cuccinelli

Local governing bodies as agents of the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner; removal of certain advertising.  Allows the governing body of any county, city, or town to authorize local law-enforcement agencies or other governmental agencies to act as agents of the Commissioner for the purpose of removing certain signs and advertising.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-375.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to removal of advertising by agents of the Commissioner.

093816216

S.B. 874

Patron: Ticer

Use of mobile telephone and other wireless electronic devices while driving.  Provides that, with certain exceptions, no person may use a mobile telephone or other wireless electronic telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle on any public highway in the Commonwealth unless such mobile telephone or other wireless electronic telecommunications device is equipped with a hands-free accessory.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-1078.1, relating to use of wireless telecommunications devices while operating a motor vehicle.

098241336

S.B. 882

Patron: Stuart

Regulation of parking on public highways.  Adds Stafford County to the list of counties and towns that may by ordinance regulate the parking of (i) watercraft, (ii) boat trailers, (iii) motor homes, and (iv) camping trailers.  The bill also replaces several circumlocutions with the names of the localities to which those circumlocutions apply.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1222.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to regulation or prohibition of parking of certain vehicles in certain counties and towns.

091123333

S.B. 899

Patron: McDougle

Distribution of handbills, etc, on highways and in public roadways and medians.  Adds Spotsylvania County to the list of localities that may prohibit distribution of handbills, etc., to occupants of motor vehicles on highways and adds Hanover County to the list of localities that may adopt ordinances regulating the distribution of handbills, etc., to occupants of motor vehicles on public roadways and medians.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-931 of the Code of Virginia, relating to regulation of distribution of handbills, etc, on public highways, roadways, and medians.

093478272

S.B. 911

Patron: Stuart

Golf carts; operation on the highways.  Allows the governing body of the Town of Irvington to authorize operation of golf carts on the highways of the Town, subject to limits of general law.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-916.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to designation of public highways for golf cart and utility vehicle operations

091124333

S.B. 941

Patron: Watkins

Staff Sergeant Jason R. Arnette Memorial Bridge.  Designates the U.S. Route 360 (Patrick Henry Highway) bridge over U.S. Route 360 Business (Goodes Bridge Road) in Amelia County the "Staff Sergeant Jason R. Arnette Memorial Bridge."

A BILL to designate the U.S. Route 360 (Patrick Henry Highway) bridge over U.S. Route 360 Business (Goodes Bridge Road) in Amelia County the "Staff Sergeant Jason R. Arnette Memorial Bridge."

093519348

S.B. 966

Patron: Blevins

Wireless telecommunications devices.  Prohibits, except for emergency 911 calls, the use of any cellular telephone, mobile telephone, or other wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle, unless the device is configured for hands-free operation.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-1078.1, relating to use of wireless telecommunications devices while operating a motor vehicle.

097738204

S.B. 970

Patron: Blevins

Safety belts.  Makes non-use of safety belts a primary offense.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1094 of the Code of Virginia, relating to use of safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses.

097750204

S.B. 974

Patron: Stuart

Golf carts; crossing highways in Colonial Beach.  Amends the provision allowing golf carts to cross highways with 35 mph speed limits at traffic lights in Colonial Beach by removing the reference to traffic lights.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-916.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to operation of golf carts on the highways.

093533333

S.B. 997

Patron: Miller, J.C.

Trespassing vehicle; towing; local ordinances.  Provides that local ordinances requiring "second signatures" before trespassing vehicles can be towed away only apply if the tow is performed during the normal business hours of the owner of the property from which the vehicle is towed.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1232 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local regulation of removal and immobilization of trespassing vehicles.

098399275

S.B. 1005

Patron: Quayle

Holland-Councill Memorial Bridge.  Designates the U.S. Route 58 Business bridge over the Blackwater River in Isle of Wight County the "Holland-Councill Memorial Bridge."

A BILL to designate the U.S. Route 58 Business bridge over the Blackwater River in Isle of Wight County the "Holland-Councill Memorial Bridge."

096567308

S.B. 1018

Patron: Miller, J.C.

Hampton Roads Transportation Authority; composition.  Removes the Counties of James City and York and the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg from the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority. 

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 33.1-391.7, 33.1-391.9, and 33.1-391.10 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the composition, organization, and powers of the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority.

099804275

S.B. 1027

Patron: Hanger

Vehicle safety inspections.  Exempts certain trailers and semitrailers used in interstate commerce from annual vehicle safety inspections.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1157 of the Code of Virginia, relating to vehicle safety inspections; certain trailers and semitrailers exempted.

093458232

S.B. 1066

Patron: Puller

Trains operated by transportation districts.  Establishes a fine for boarding or riding a train with a fraudulent or counterfeit ticket and for using a valid ticket outside the designated zone of the paid ride.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-4503 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-160.3, relating to transportation district trains; counterfeit and invalid tickets; fine.

091522304

S.B. 1106

Patron: Northam

Smoking in cars with minor present; civil penalty.  Makes it unlawful for a person to smoke in a motor vehicle, whether in motion or at rest, in which a minor is present, punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-112.1, relating to smoking in cars in which a minor is present; civil penalty.

090669286

S.B. 1138

Patron: Petersen

Regulation of parking on public highways.  Allows counties and towns that may by ordinance regulate the parking of (i) watercraft, (ii) boat trailers, (iii) motor homes, and (iv) camping trailers also to regulate or prohibit vehicles transporting commercial freight externally. The bill also replaces circumlocutions with the names of the localities to which those circumlocutions apply.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1222.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to regulation or prohibition of parking of certain vehicles in certain counties and towns.

098235293

S.B. 1159

Patron: Saslaw

Safety inspection stickers.  Extends from 72 hours to five business days the amount of time a person serving in the armed forces of the U.S. outside Virginia has to get his vehicle inspected upon returning to the Commonwealth.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1158.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to extension of validity of vehicle safety inspection stickers; persons serving outside Virginia in the armed services.

083590324

S.B. 1161

Patron: Saslaw

Safety belts.  Makes non-use of motor vehicle safety belts a "primary offense."

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1094 of the Code of Virginia, relating to use of safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses in motor vehicles.

093482324

S.B. 1168

Patron: Watkins

DMV records.  Authorizes DMV to contract with the U.S. Postal Service to get updated addresses for the Department's records from the National Change of Address System.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-324, 46.2-342, 46.2-416, and 46.2-606 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Motor Vehicle contracts with United States Postal Service to obtain current address information.

098426828

S.B. 1200

Patron: Puckett

Local vehicle license fees and taxes; veterans and their surviving spouses.  Allows localities to exempt veterans and the surviving spouses of veterans from local vehicle license fees and taxes.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-752 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local vehicle license taxes and fees; vehicles owned by veterans or their surviving spouses.

093488300

S.B. 1224

Patron: Smith

Highways; littering unsightly matter.  Provides that when matter illegally dumped or disposed of was ejected from a motor vehicle or transported to the disposal site in a motor vehicle, the court, in addition to the criminal penalty provided, may suspend the defendant's license to operate a motor vehicle for a period not to exceed 30 days.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-346 of the Code of Virginia, relating to littering on highway, right-of-way, or private property; penalty.

091273326

S.B. 1227

Patron: Barker

Provisional driver's license holders.  Makes cell phone use while driving by a provisional driver's license holder a "primary offense."

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-334.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to use of wireless telecommunication devices by holders of provisional driver's licenses.

093564324

S.B. 1239

Patron: Barker

Pedestrians and drivers; responsibilities. Sets out the responsibilities of pedestrians and drivers at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-100, 46.2-821, 46.2-826, 46.2-833, 46.2-834, 46.2-835, 46.2-836, 46.2-904, 46.2-908.1, and 46.2-933 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 46.2-923.1, 46.2-924.1, and 46.2-924.2; and to repeal §§ 46.2-923 and 46.2-924 of the Code of Virginia, relating to pedestrians crossing highways.

093820201

S.B. 1261

Patron: Vogel

Speed limits in business and residence districts.  Allows towns to increase the 25 mph speed limit on roads in business and residence districts if the roads carry high volumes of traffic and no businesses or residences front the road where the speed limit would be increased.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-874 of the Code of Virginia, relating to maximum speed limits in business and residence districts; towns permitted to increase speed limits.

098259338

S.B. 1265

Patron: Vogel

Unattended children in a motor vehicle.  Provides that any driver or operator of a motor vehicle who leaves an unattended child in a motor vehicle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill defines "unattended child" as a child under six years of age who has been left in a motor vehicle by the driver or operator of the vehicle when the driver or operator is unable to continuously observe the child, unless a person 12 years of age or older is physically present in the motor vehicle with the child.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-116, relating to children unattended in motor vehicles; penalties.

097804338

S.B. 1288

Patron: Newman

Parkway.  Provides that the term "parkway" as used in § 33.1-369 of the Code of Virginia does not include any parkway designated by Chapter 44 of the Acts of Assembly of 2008.

A BILL to limit the meaning of the term "parkway" in connection with certain outdoor advertising.

093524280

S.B. 1343

Patron: Reynolds

Restricted license eligibility while license is suspended.  Allows a court to issue a restricted license to a person whose license is suspended.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to restricted driver's licenses for persons who have suspended licenses.

090413316

S.B. 1360

Patron: Reynolds

Motor vehicle liability insurance coverage limits; penalty.  Increases the minimum motor vehicle liability insurance coverage amounts from $25,000 to $100,000 in cases of bodily injury to or death of one person, from $50,000 to $300,000 in cases of bodily injury to or death of more than one person in any one accident, and from $20,000 to $100,000 for property damage coverage.  The measure also repeals provisions that allow for the registration of uninsured motor vehicles upon payment of a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee and that provide for disposition of such funds through the Uninsured Motorist Fund.  The penalty for violating certain requirements regarding the registration and operation of uninsured motor vehicles is increased from a Class 3 misdemeanor to a Class 1 misdemeanor.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-66.1, 38.2-1904, 46.2-214.3, 46.2-419, 46.2-472, 46.2-705, 46.2-706, 46.2-707, 46.2-708, 46.2-902.1, 46.2-1529, 46.2-1530, 46.2-1992.22, 46.2-1992.23, 46.2-1993.22, and 46.2-1993.23 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal Chapter 30 (§§ 38.2-3000 and 38.2-3001) of Title 38.2 and § 46.2-710 of the Code of Virginia, relating to requirements for motor vehicle liability insurance; penalty.

094320316

S.B. 1402

Patron: Norment

Improper driving; penalty.  Increases the maximum penalty from $500 to $1,000.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-869 of the Code of Virginia, relating to improper driving; penalty.

098370284

S.B. 1405

Patron: Norment

Richard Daley Mahone Memorial Bridge.  Designates the Virginia Route 143 (Merrimac Trail) bridge over Queens Creek in Williamsburg the "Richard Daley Mahone Memorial Bridge."

A BILL to designate the Virginia Route 143 (Merrimac Trail) bridge over Queens Creek in the City of Williamsburg the "Richard Daley Mahone Memorial Bridge."

098375284

S.B. 1408

Patron: Norment

Safety belt enforcement.  Allows for primary enforcement of safety belt requirements when violations are observed by law-enforcement officers at traffic safety checkpoints.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1094 of the Code of Virginia, relating to use of safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses in motor vehicles; enforcement.

098378284

S.B. 1415

Patron: Blevins

Sale in Virginia of vehicles repossessed in another state.  Provides that a person who purchases in another state a vehicle repossessed in that state, may sell that vehicle in Virginia without obtaining a Virginia title, provided the person who purchased the vehicle in another state has in his possession an affidavit of repossession or similar document, approved by the state in which the vehicle was purchased, attesting to the lawful repossession.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-633.1, relating to sale in Virginia of vehicle repossessed in another state.

093567204

S.B. 1428

Patron: Quayle

Admissibility of evidence of nonuse of safety lap belts and shoulder harness in civil actions. Provides that a violation of certain statutes relating to the installation or use of safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses or the use of child restraint devices may be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence, or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-1092, 46.2-1094, and 46.2-1095 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 8.01-419.2, relating to admissibility of evidence of nonuse of safety lap belts and shoulder harness in civil actions.

090533272

S.B. 1438

Patron: Miller, Y.B.

Urban highway system construction funds.  Increases from one-third to two-thirds the portion of a city or town's urban highway system construction funds that can be used to service debt.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-23.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to allocation of funds for urban highway system construction.

093563276

S.B. 1444

Patron: Martin

Wireless telecommunications devices.  Prohibits use of wireless telecommunications devices while operating commercial motor vehicles.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 10 of Chapter 10 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-1088.7, relating to the use of wireless telecommunications devices while operating a commercial motor vehicle.

093464268