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2013 SESSION

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Senate Committee on Transportation

Chairman: Stephen D. Newman

Clerk: Maribeth Turner, Jocelyn Lance
Staff: Nicole Brenner, Alan Wambold
Date of Meeting: February 13, 2013
Time and Place: Wednesday, 1/2 Hour after Adjournment, Senate Room A

H.B. 1395 Abandoned vehicles; public auction conducted by locality shall include an internet sale by auction.

Patron: Marshall, D.W.

Abandoned vehicles; sale those taken into custody at auction. Provides that "public auctions" at which abandoned vehicles are sold by local governments can include internet sales.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1203 of the Code of Virginia, relating to sale of abandoned vehicles taken into custody by localities.

13104437D

H.B. 1494 Sheriffs; expands authority to deputize persons to direct traffic, training required.

Patron: Dance

Authority to deputize persons to direct traffic. Expands the ability of sheriffs to deputize persons to direct traffic during periods of heavy traffic or congestion.

 A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1310 of the Code of Virginia, relating to authority to deputize persons to direct traffic in certain circumstances.

13104534D

H.B. 1526 HOT lanes; emergency vehicles and law-enforcement vehicles cannot use when commuting to work place.

Patron: Rust

HOT lanes. Provides that emergency vehicles and law-enforcement vehicles that otherwise would be allowed free use of HOT lanes cannot do so when the vehicle is being used to commute.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-56.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to use of HOT lanes by emergency vehicles and law-enforcement vehicles.

13101828D

H.B. 1633 Beautification projects, local; localities to provide 30-day written notice to Commissioner of VDOT.

Patron: Cosgrove

Local beautification projects. Requires localities that intend to install plant materials in a public right-of-way in connection with a local beautification project to provide advance notice thereof to VDOT. The bill requires any locality that violates the law in carrying out such project to bear the cost of bringing the project into compliance with the law.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-371.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to selective pruning permits; local beautification projects.

13104558D

H.B. 1692 Public-Private Transportation Act; receipt of competing proposals, etc.

Patron: Jones

Public-Private Transportation Act; receipt of competing proposals; disclosure of major business points. Requires that the responsible public entity shall allow 120 days for the submission of any competing proposals. The bill specifies that the notice is to include specific information regarding the nature, timing, and scope of the qualifying transportation facility, and that the responsible public entity must afford opportunities for public comment on the proposals submitted. The bill also requires that once the negotiation phase for the development of an interim or a comprehensive agreement is complete and a decision to award has been made by a responsible public entity, the responsible public entity is required to post the major business points of the interim or comprehensive agreement. The bill contains technical amendments. This bill incorporates HB 2258.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 56-573.1:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Public-Private Transportation Act; receipt of competing proposals; disclosure of major business points.

13104594D

H.B. 1718 Transportation projects and planning; reimbursement of VDOT by localities, etc.

Patron: Anderson

 Transportation planning and projects. Requires a locality to repay the Department when a locality requests termination of a project and the Department does not agree to the termination or the locality or metropolitan planning organization doesn't advance the project. The bill also expands the step before a locality requests alterations to a project to include the design approval by the Chief Engineer.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-12 of the Code of Virginia, relating to reimbursement of the Department of Transportation for termination or alteration of certain transportation projects.

13102259D

H.B. 1809 Commonwealth Transportation Board; powers.

Patron: McQuinn

Powers of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). Limits the ability of the CTB to reallocate funds from certain local highway projects that are inconsistent with the CTB's Statewide Transportation Plan or the Six-Year Improvement Program.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-12 of the Code of Virginia, relating to general powers of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

13101653D

H.B. 1885 Highways; VDOT to determine periodic quantitative rating on pavement condition, etc.

Patron: LeMunyon

Quantitative rating of pavement condition and ride quality of highways. Requires VDOT to determine a quantitative rating on the pavement condition and ride quality of every highway in the primary and secondary state highway systems at least every five years and to post the ratings on its website.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 33.1 a section numbered 33.1-223.2:29, relating to periodic quantitative rating of certain highways.

13103178D

H.B. 1886 Vehicle tire weight limitations; prohibits over-the-road operation of certain vehicles.

Patron: LeMunyon

Vehicle tire weight limitations. Prohibits over-the-road operation of certain vehicles whose tire weights exceed tire weight limit guidelines.

 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-1043.1, relating to operation of vehicle with tire weights in excess of certain tire load rating standards.

13104356D

H.B. 1907 Handheld personal communications devices; primary offense for texting while driving, mandatory fine.

Patron: Anderson

Driving while texting; primary offense; increased penalties. Provides that driving while texting is a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine of $250 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $500. The current penalties are $20 for a first offense and $50 for a second or subsequent offense. The bill also increases the punishment of any person convicted of reckless driving to include a $500 mandatory minimum fine if the person was texting at the time of the reckless driving offense. The bill also changes the offense from a secondary offense (one that can only be charged when the offender is stopped for another, separate offense) to a primary offense. The bill also increases the punishment of any person convicted of reckless driving to include a $500 mandatory minimum fine if the person was texting at the time of the reckless driving offense. The bill incorporates HB 1357, HB 1360, HB 1495, HB1540, HB 1848, and HB 1883.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-868 and 46.2-1078.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to unlawful use of handheld personal communications devices while driving; penalty.

13104350D

H.B. 1948 Tow truck drivers; definition of tow.

Patron: Wilt

Definition of "tow." Supplies a definition of "tow" as the term is used in connection with the ticketing, removal, or immobilization of trespassing vehicles.

 A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1231 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the definition of "tow."

13104449D

H.B. 1990 License taxes; allows localities to impose on certain motor vehicles, temporary exemption.

Patron: Sickles

License taxes on certain motor vehicles. Allows localities to impose a license tax, not to exceed $250 annually, upon resident owners of motor vehicles that do not display license plates issued by the Commonwealth and that are not exempt from the requirements of displaying such license plates.

 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-973 and 46.2-662 of the Code of Virginia, relating to license taxes on certain motor vehicles.

13104752D

H.B. 2029 Speed limits; town located entirely within confines of military base may reduce to less than 25 mph.

Patron: Dudenhefer

Speed limits. Allows the Town of Quantico to reduce speed limits on any highways within its boundaries to less than 25 mph.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-878 of the Code of Virginia, relating to changing speed limits.

13104713D

H.B. 2033 Provisional driver's license; restriction exceptions.

Patron: Peace

Provisional driver's license; restriction exceptions. Provides that the restriction on operating a motor vehicle between midnight and 4:00 a.m. for a minor who holds a provisional driver's license does not apply if the minor is driving to or from an activity that is supervised by an adult and is sponsored by a school or by a civic, religious, or public organization. Currently this exception only applies to a minor driving to or from a school-sponsored activity.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-334.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to provisional driver's license; restriction exceptions.

13100050D

H.B. 2041 Access roads and bikeways; authorizes Board to establish guidelines for use of rec. access funds.

Patron: Filler-Corn

Fund for access roads and bikeways to public recreational areas and historical sites. Authorizes the Commonwealth Transportation Board to establish guidelines, instead of regulations, in connection with use of recreational access funds.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.1-223 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the fund for access roads and bikeways to public recreational areas and historical sites; guidelines.

13101693D

H.B. 2116 Commonwealth Transportation Board, Commissioner of Highways, etc.; powers and duties, report.

Patron: Garrett

Powers and duties of the Commissioner of Highways and the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Amends the powers and duties of the Commissioner of Highways and the Commonwealth Transportation Board to create new efficiencies and streamline procedures by granting the Commissioner greater authority over administrative operations, matters involving the practice of civil engineering, and interaction with stakeholders.

 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-507, 5.1-49, 15.2-2223, 22.1-205, 28.2-555, 33.1-7, 33.1-11, 33.1-12, 33.1-23.03:7, 33.1-61, 33.1-183.1, 33.1-195, 33.1-196, 33.1-201, 33.1-207, 33.1-208, 33.1-229, 33.1-293, 33.1-342, 33.1-343, 33.1-370, 36-98.1, 46.2-804, 46.2-806, 46.2-830, 46.2-831, 46.2-847, 46.2-878.2, 46.2-889, 46.2-924, 46.2-1041, 46.2-1046, 46.2-1107, 46.2-1108, 46.2-1109, 46.2-1112, 46.2-1114, 46.2-1116, 46.2-1117, 53.1-56, 53.1-57, 56-258, 56-462, 67-1101, and 67-1103 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 33.1-13.05, by adding in Article 1.1 of Chapter 1 of Title 33.1 a section numbered 33.1-23.5:3, and by adding sections numbered 33.1-89.3 and 33.1-190.4, relating to the powers and duties of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the Commissioner of Highways, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

13104544D

H.B. 2152 Transportation commission membership.

Patron: Anderson

Transportation commission membership. Gives the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee equal voting weight on the Virginia Railway Express oversight board. The bill also provides that the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall be included for purposes of constituting a quorum on certain transportation commissions and shall have voting rights equal to the appointees of component governments.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-4507 and 15.2-4512 of the Code of Virginia, relating to transportation commission membership.

13103708D

H.B. 2202 Vehicle towing charges; increases maximum hookup and initial towing fee.

Patron: Pogge

Vehicle towing charges. Increases from $125 to $135 the maximum hookup and initial towing fee that may be charged for the towing a passenger car towed from private property without its owner's consent, unless a local ordinance sets a different limit.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1233.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles.

13103775D

H.B. 2217 Pedestrians, etc; local government to adopt ordinances requiring to stop at marked crosswalks, etc.

Patron: Greason

Crossing highways. Allows local governing bodies to adopt ordinances requiring users of shared-use paths to stop before crossing highways at marked crosswalks.

  A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-924 of the Code of Virginia, relating to crossing of certain highways by pedestrians and other shared-path users; local ordinances.

13104438D

H.B. 2228 Overweight vehicle permits; engineering analysis prior to issuance not to exceed three hours.

Patron: Morefield

Overweight vehicle permit fees. Provides that the engineering analysis performed prior to issuance of an overweight vehicle permit is not to exceed three hours.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1149 of the Code of Virginia, relating to permits for certain unladen, oversize, and overweight vehicles.

13103575D

H.B. 2243 Escort vehicle drivers; certification and regulation in State.

Patron: May

Escort driver certification. Provides for the certification and regulation of escort drivers in the Commonwealth. The bill also adds a traffic infraction for impeding or disrupting vehicles operating under a hauling permit that requires an escort vehicle. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2014.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-348 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-828.2 and by adding in Title 46.2 a chapter numbered 29, consisting of sections numbered 46.2-2900 through 46.2-2910, relating to the certification and regulation of escort vehicle drivers.

13103644D

H.B. 2272 Motor vehicle accident; satisfaction of judgments for damages, suspensions requested by creditor.

Patron: Johnson

Satisfaction of judgments; motor vehicle accident. Provides that a suspension of a judgment debtor's driver's license shall not extend (i) beyond 10 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a general district court or (ii) beyond 20 years from the date of judgment for any civil judgment obtained in a circuit court. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2014.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-417 and 46.2-427 of the Code of Virginia, relating to satisfaction of judgments for damages in a motor vehicle accident.

13101776D

H.B. 2276 Virginia Port Authority; reform by adding Chief Executive Officer to Board of Commissioners, etc.

Patron: Jones

Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and Commonwealth Transportation Board. Implements reforms of the Virginia Port Authority by adding the Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to the Board of Commissioners, adding the Virginia Port Authority Executive Director to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and preventing the Commonwealth and the Virginia Port Authority from accepting any unsolicited proposal under the Public-Private Transportation Act or the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act regarding the ownership or operation of any seaport or port facility. The bill also provides that members of the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Port Authority that are appointed by the Governor may be removed by the Governor only for misconduct, and not at his pleasure. The bill grants the powers of industrial development authorities to the Virginia Port Authority, except for the power to sell or convey the port facilities, and exempts the port from various purchasing and procurement requirements.

 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-4343, 33.1-1, 62.1-129, 62.1-132.1, 62.1-132.3, 62.1-132.4, 62.1-132.6, 62.1-132.19, 62.1-132.20, and 62.1-139 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 62.1-147.1:1, relating to the membership of the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Port Authority; powers, duties, and procurement of the Virginia Port Authority; membership of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

13104824D

H.B. 2298 Billboards; establishes conditions under which certain signs may be adjusted or relocated, etc.

Patron: Anderson

Billboards. Establishes conditions under which certain billboard signs may be relocated if land on which the billboard sign is located is acquired by eminent domain in connection with a highway project.

  A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 33.1-95.2, relating to adjustment or relocation of certain billboard signs.

13104369D