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2017 SESSION

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Senate Committee on Transportation

Chairman: Charles W. Carrico, Sr.

Clerk: Eric Bingham, Eric Barton
Staff: B. Jamerson, C. Noonann
Date of Meeting: February 15, 2017
Time and Place: 15 minutes after Adjournment/Senate Room A
Updated to ADD HB2136

H.B. 1519 Overweight permits; hauling Virginia-grown farm produce, validity.

Patron: Knight

Overweight permits for hauling Virginia-grown farm produce; validity throughout the Commonwealth. Authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue overweight permits that are valid statewide for vehicles hauling Virginia-grown farm produce from the point of origin to the first place of delivery. Under current law, such permits are valid only in Accomack and Northampton Counties.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1148 of the Code of Virginia, relating to overweight permits for hauling Virginia-grown farm produce; validity throughout the Commonwealth.

17105046D

H.B. 1595 Vehicle license fees and taxes, local; collection by counties and adjoining towns.

Patron: Boysko

Local vehicle license fees and taxes. Allows counties and adjoining towns to enter into reciprocal agreements to collect each other's vehicle license fees and taxes. Currently, such collection is limited to nondelinquent license fees and taxes.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-752 of the Code of Virginia, relating to collection of local motor vehicle taxes and license fees.

17102239D

H.B. 1606 Handheld personal communications devices; use of devices in highway work zones.

Patron: Villanueva

Use of handheld personal communications devices in highway work zones. Prohibits any person from texting or otherwise using a handheld personal communications device while operating a motor vehicle in a highway work zone, defined in the bill, when workers are present. The bill adds an exemption to the prohibition against using a handheld personal communications device in a moving motor vehicle for an operator of a vehicle who activates, deactivates, or initiates a factory-installed feature or function on the vehicle.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1078.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the use of handheld personal communications devices in highway work zones.

17100696D

H.B. 1687 Nonrepairable and rebuilt vehicles; eliminates certain requirement sunset provision, report.

Patron: Austin

Nonrepairable and rebuilt vehicles. Eliminates the requirement that nonrepairable and rebuilt vehicles have incurred damage that exceeds 90 percent of their cash value prior to such damage to meet the definition of nonrepairable and rebuilt vehicles. The bill sunsets on June 30, 2021, and requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to report to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Transportation on whether there is any impact on the number of salvage and nonrepairable vehicle certificates issued over a three-year time period both before and after passage of the bill.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1600 of the Code of Virginia, relating to nonrepairable and rebuilt vehicles.

17103037D

H.B. 1836 Spotsylvania Parkway; VDOT to maintain a certain segment beginning in 2020.

Patron: Orrock

Virginia Department of Transportation to maintain a certain segment of Spotsylvania Parkway beginning in 2020. Requires the Virginia Department of Transportation, as of July 1, 2020, to take over maintenance of an approximately two-mile segment of Spotsylvania Parkway that is currently maintained pursuant to a 2005 "Easement and Cost Sharing Agreement" unless the homeowners association that is party to such cost-sharing agreement and Spotsylvania County reach a new road maintenance agreement prior to July 1, 2020.

A BILL to require the Virginia Department of Transportation to maintain a certain segment of Spotsylvania Parkway beginning in 2020.

17103242D

H.B. 1929 Public-Private Transportation Act; comprehensive agreement.

Patron: Bagby

Public-Private Transportation Act; comprehensive agreement. Requires all comprehensive agreements resulting in privately funded roads open for public transportation to include a provision ensuring funding for adequate staffing, defined in the bill, for general law enforcement by the Virginia State Police.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Public-Private Transportation Act; comprehensive agreement.

17103562D

H.B. 1960 Tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators; civil penalty for improper towing.

Patron: Hugo

Tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators; requirements; penalties. Creates a civil penalty of $150 to be paid into the Literary Fund for any tow truck driver or towing and recovery operator convicted of improperly towing in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia). The bill exempts tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators in Planning District 8 from any requirement by a towing advisory board for written authorization in addition to a written contract in the event that a vehicle is being removed from private property. The bill requires that a tow truck driver in Planning District 8 immediately notify the animal control office in the locality from which the vehicle is being towed if the vehicle is occupied by a companion animal. The bill limits the membership of a local towing advisory board to only representatives of local law-enforcement agencies, representatives of licensed towing and recovery operators, and one member of the general public and requires the chairmanship of any towing advisory board within Planning District 8 to rotate annually between board members who represent a licensed towing and recovery operator, a local law-enforcement agency, and the general public.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-1231, 46.2-1232, and 46.2-1233.2 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-1233.3, relating to tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators; requirements; civil penalties.

17104664D

H.B. 1993 Interstate pipeline construction; Department of Transportation oversight.

Patron: Habeeb

Pipeline construction; Department of Transportation oversight. Allows the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with any entity constructing interstate pipelines setting forth a reasonable procedure to identify and remedy damage caused by construction of such pipeline to public highways of the Commonwealth. 

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 33.2-272.1, relating to interstate pipeline construction; Department of Transportation oversight.

17105047D

H.B. 2015 DRIVE SMART Virginia Education Fund; created.

Patron: Villanueva

DRIVE SMART Virginia Education Fund. Establishes a method by which holders of an account for an electronic toll collection device that is the property of the Commonwealth may opt in to make a voluntary contribution through electronic means to the DRIVE SMART Virginia Education Fund (the Fund), created by the bill. The bill requires that contributions to the Fund be used solely for the purposes of supporting educational projects through DRIVE SMART Virginia.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-616, relating to the DRIVE SMART Virginia Education Fund.

17101953D

H.B. 2016 Electric personal delivery devices; operation on sidewalks and shared-use paths

Patron: Villanueva

Electric personal delivery devices. Allows for the operation of electric personal delivery devices on the sidewalks and shared-use paths and across roadways on crosswalks in the Commonwealth unless otherwise prohibited by a locality. The bill directs that such devices shall not be considered vehicles and are exempt from the motor carrier provisions of Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles).

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-100, 46.2-904, 46.2-908, 46.2-908.1, 46.2-1015, and 46.2-2101 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 12 of Chapter 8 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-908.1:1, relating to electric personal delivery devices.

17104708D

H.B. 2020 Temporary driver's licenses, permits, or special identification cards; requirements for issuance.

Patron: Villanueva

Issuance of temporary licenses, permits, or special identification cards; requirements. Allows the issuance of a temporary driver's license, permit, or special identification card to an applicant presenting valid documentary evidence that a federal court or federal agency having jurisdiction over immigration has authorized the applicant to be in the United States for a period of at least 30 days from the date of application. The bill specifices which applicants are eligible for such license, permit, or card.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-328.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to issuance of temporary licenses, permits, or special identification cards; requirements.

17105161D

H.B. 2022 Transportation, Department of; traffic incident response and management.

Patron: Villanueva

Department of Transportation; traffic incident response and management. Allows individuals or entities acting on behalf of the Department of Transportation to operate as needed in response to traffic incidents and to access and to remove from moving lanes on a highway vehicles and cargo that are impeding traffic flow due to a traffic incident. The bill requires a driver to move a vehicle from the roadway after an emergency, accident, or breakdown that did not result in injury or death if the vehicle is movable and the driver is capable of safely doing so. Current law allows drivers to move a vehicle from the roadway after an accident if the vehicle is movable and the driver is capable of safely doing so, but does not require it.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-808.1, 46.2-888, 46.2-920.1, 46.2-1210, and 46.2-1212.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Transportation; traffic incident response and management.

17103825D

H.B. 2023 Highway maintenance payments; bicycle lanes.

Patron: Villanueva

Highway maintenance payments; bicycle lanes. Provides that cities and towns that receive highway maintenance payments from the Commonwealth based on moving-lane-miles of highway will not have such payments reduced if moving-lane-miles of highway are converted to bicycle-only lanes, provided that the number of moving-lane-miles is not more than 50 moving-lane-miles or three percent of the municipality's total number of moving-lane-miles, whichever is less, and that prior to such conversion the city or town certifies that the conversion design has been assessed by a professional engineer and designed in accordance with certain national standards. Municipalities will not receive additional funds and cannot reduce their funding of road and street maintenance after a conversion. The bill also repeals the provision that allowed the City of Richmond to convert 20 moving-lane-miles to bicycle-only lanes.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.2-319 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal the second enactment of Chapter 722 of the Acts of Assembly of 2015, relating to maintenance payments to certain cities and towns for moving-lanes converted to bicycle-only lanes.

17102193D

H.B. 2026 Property and bulk property carriers; regulation, combines authorities.

Patron: Villanueva

Department of Motor Vehicles; regulation of property carriers. Combines the current property carrier and bulk property carrier authorities and eliminates the current license requirement for property brokers. The bill eliminates the requirement for the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specially designated license plates for property-carrying vehicles operated for hire. The bill reduces from $750,000 to $500,000 insurance limits for carriers operating vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 7,500 pounds but not in excess of 10,000 pounds. For passenger cars, motorcycles, autocycles, and vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 7,500 pounds or less, the bill requires liability coverage for property carriers of a minimum of $500,000 per person, $750,000 per incident for death and bodily injury, and $50,000 for property damage. The bill requires such insurance coverage to be in effect for motor carriers who use digital platforms to accept requests to transport property from the moment the motor carrier logs on to a digital platform until the motor carrier logs off of the digital platform, and for all motor carriers, from the time the motor carrier or a person acting for or on behalf of the motor carrier accepts the request to transport property and the vehicle is en route to pick up the property until the time the property has been removed from the vehicle and delivered to its final destination. The bill has a delayed effective date of October 1, 2017.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-613.1, 46.2-711, 46.2-2100, 46.2-2101, 46.2-2108.2, 46.2-2108.4 through 46.2-2109, 46.2-2115, 46.2-2118, 46.2-2120, 46.2-2121, 46.2-2122, 46.2-2124, 46.2-2125, 46.2-2126, 46.2-2129 through 46.2-2140, 46.2-2143, 46.2-2143.1, and 46.2-2144 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 46.2-2121.1 and 46.2-2143.2, and to repeal § 46.2-2108.3 and Article 5 (§§ 46.2-2174, 46.2-2175, and 46.2-2176) of Chapter 21 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Motor Vehicles; regulation of property carriers.

17105088D

H.B. 2136 Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Interstate Compact; Va. authorized to become a signatory.

Patron: LeMunyon

Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Interstate Compact. Authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Interstate Compact. The compact establishes a state safety oversight authority for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Rail System, pursuant to the mandate of federal law, to review, approve, oversee, and enforce the safety of the WMATA Rail System. The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to negotiate, on the Commonwealth's behalf, the terms for revision of the WMATA Compact with the other signatories to the WMATA Compact. The bill contains an emergency clause.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 33.2 a chapter numbered 31.1, consisting of a section numbered 33.2-3101, relating to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Interstate Compact.

17104697D

EMERGENCY

H.B. 2137 Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; regional transportation plan.

Patron: LeMunyon

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; regional transportation plan. Requires the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to annually publish on its website any land use or transportation elements of a locality's comprehensive plan that each locality embraced by the Authority is currently required to report when such locality's plan is inconsistent with the Authority's regional transportation plan. Additionally, the bill requires the Authority to consider for revision and revise as necessary its regional transportation plan at least once every five years. The Authority is required to specify any obstacles to achieving a reduction in congestion in Planning District 8 and any need for cooperation by other regional entities. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2018.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.2-2508 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; regional transportation plan.

17100338D

H.B. 2138 Transportation planning, state and local; adoption of comprehensive plan in Northern Virginia.

Patron: LeMunyon

State and local transportation planning. Provides that in its adoption of any comprehensive plan in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia) or review of a proposed rezoning in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia), the Department of Transportation shall consider the transportation impact of the proposed plan or rezoning on any transportation facility for which a reduction in the level of service is anticipated as a result of the proposed plan or rezoning.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2222.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to state and local transportation planning.

17104804D

H.B. 2139 Highways, Commissioner of; annual report requirements.

Patron: LeMunyon

Commissioner of Highways; annual report requirements. Requires that the Commissioner of Highways, in his annual report, report specifically about transportation projects approved or modified during the prior fiscal year and include a listing of the total number of lane miles of all primary and secondary roads that have been resurfaced and all primary and secondary roads that are rated "poor" or "very poor."

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.2-232 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Commissioner of Highways; annual report requirements.

17104766D

H.B. 2149 Aircraft; defines "unmanned aircraft" and requires aircraft to be registered with Dept. of Aviation.

Patron: Knight

Registration of aircraft. Updates terminology by changing "license" to "registration" to better reflect the responsibility of the DOAV to locate and count aircraft. The bill removes from the Virginia Aviation Board the power and duty to promulgate rules for air traffic, construction and inspection of aircraft, qualifications and licensing of airmen, and stunt flying to better reflect the current regulatory responsibilities.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 5.1-1, 5.1-1.6, 5.1-2.2, 5.1-5, 5.1-9.2, 5.1-9.5, 5.1-9.8, 5.1-14, 5.1-88.1, 5.1-88.2, 5.1-113, and 5.1-150 of the Code of Virginia, relating to registration of aircraft.

17102195D

H.B. 2239 Farm use vehicles, certain; registration exemption, highway distance limitations.

Patron: Fariss

Registration exemption for certain farm use vehicles; highway distance limitations. Increases from 50 to 75 miles the maximum travel distance allowable for travel to obtain supplies or from one part of the owner's land to another by a vehicle used for agricultural or horticultural purposes in order to qualify for exemption from the requirements to obtain a registration certificate, license plates, or decals and pay a registration fee. The bill also increases from 50 to 75 miles the maximum travel distance allowable by vehicles used for seasonal transportation of farm produce and from 20 to 75 miles the maximum travel distance allowable for vehicles owned by farmers and used to transport wood products in order to qualify for such exemption. The bill also provides that any law-enforcement officer may require any person operating a vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer and claiming the farm use exemption to provide, upon request, the address of the farm or lands owned or leased by the vehicle's owner, or if such address is unavailable or unknown, the real property parcel identification number of such lands.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-665, 46.2-666, and 46.2-670 of the Code of Virginia, relating to registration exemption for certain farm use vehicles; requirements.

17104880D

H.B. 2269 Motor vehicle safety inspection; Superintendent shall provide information upon written request.

Patron: Villanueva

State Police motor vehicle safety inspection data. Authorizes the Superintendent of State Police to provide, upon request, verification of the inspection status of a vehicle and to charge a reasonable fee for providing such information. Fees shall not be charged to government or other public entities.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1163 of the Code of Virginia, relating to motor vehicle safety inspection data.

17103970D

H.B. 2336 Law-enforcement officer; report of officer involved in accident.

Patron: Miller

Report of law-enforcement officer involved in accident. Provides that any law-enforcement officer who is listed as a driver in a motor vehicle accident report submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles will not have the accident listed on his driving record if he was driving a motor vehicle provided by a law-enforcement agency in the course of his employment and was operating the motor vehicle in the performance of his official duties at the time of such accident.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-373.1, relating to report of law-enforcement officer involved in an accident.

17103410D

H.B. 2362 Tow truck drivers; issuance of temporary registration by Department of Criminal Justice Services.

Patron: Pogge

Tow truck drivers; temporary registration with Department of Criminal Justice Services. Allows for the issuance of temporary registration or driver authorization documentation by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for tow truck drivers, effective upon the submission of an application and until the issuance or denial of permanent registration.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-116 of the Code of Virginia, relating to tow truck drivers; temporary registration with Department of Criminal Justice Services.

17103414D

H.B. 2367 Virginia Port Authority; removal of members on Board of Commissioners.

Patron: Lindsey

Virginia Port Authority; Board of Commissioners. Provides that the 11 members of the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Port Authority appointed by the Governor no longer serve at the pleasure of the Governor and may be removed prior to the expiration of a five-year term only for cause.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 62.1-129 of the Code of Virginia, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, relating to Virginia Port Authority; removal of members on Board of Commissioners.

17103847D

H.B. 2423 Golf carts; use on public highways in Town of Jarratt.

Patron: Tyler

Golf carts on public highways; exceptions. Permits the use of golf carts on public highways in the Town of Jarratt if the governing body of the town reviews and approves such highway usage. Current law prohibits such usage because the Town of Jarratt has not established its own police department.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-916.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to golf carts on public highways; exceptions.

17104137D

H.B. 2453 Amateur radio operators; use of flashing amber lights.

Patron: Holcomb

Flashing amber lights; amateur radio operators. Permits vehicles used or operated by federally licensed amateur radio operators participating in emergency communications drills on behalf of federal, state, or local authorities or providing communications services to localities for public service events authorized by the Department of Transportation where the event is being conducted to be equipped with flashing, blinking, or alternating amber lights provided that the lights are not lit while the vehicle is in motion.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1025 of the Code of Virginia, relating to flashing amber lights; amateur radio operators.

17104164D

H.B. 2463 Highways, Commissioner of; commercial establishment entrances.

Patron: Hodges

Commissioner of Highways; commercial establishment entrances. Requires the Commissioner of Highways to document and maintain a list of anyone who has requested an onsite meeting with the resident engineer or his staff for the purpose of connecting commercial establishment entrances to the paved part of the highway. The bill requires that such list include recommendations regarding compliance with the Department of Transportation's design standards and access management regulations and the Commonwealth Transportation Board's regulations regarding land use permits, as well as associated cost estimates. The bill requires such list be provided to a locality upon request.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.2-241 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Commissioner of Highways; commercial establishment entrances.

17103923D

H.B. 2474 Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority; established, report.

Patron: Pillion

Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority; report. Creates the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority to improve the transportation into, from, within, and through Southwest Virginia, assist in regional economic development, and generally enhance highway safety in the affected localities through development of a proposed Coalfields Expressway. The bill regulates the membership and duties of the Authority.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 15.2 a chapter numbered 60.01, consisting of sections numbered 15.2-6015.1 through 15.2-6015.5, relating to the creation of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority; report.

17105017D