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1994 SESSION


CHAPTER 927
An Act to amend and reenact § 33.1-252 of the Code of Virginia, relating to free use of toll bridges, etc.
[H 928]
Approved April 20, 1994

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 33.1-252 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 33.1-252. Free use of toll bridges, etc., by certain state officers and employees; penalties.

A. Upon presentation of a toll pass issued pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the following persons may use all toll bridges, toll ferries, toll tunnels, and toll roads in this Commonwealth without the payment of toll:

1. The Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner;

2. Members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board;

3. Employees of the Virginia Department of Transportation;

4. The Superintendent of the Department of State Police;

5. Officers and employees of the Department of State Police;

6. Members of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board;

7. Employees of the regulatory and hearings divisions of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and special agents of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control;

8., 9. [Repealed.]

10. The Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles;

11. Employees of the Department of Motor Vehicles;

12. Employees of the enforcement division of the State Corporation Commission;

13. Local police officers;

14. Sheriffs and their deputies; and

15. Persons operating fire-fighting equipment and ambulances owned by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth or a nonprofit association or corporation.; and

16. Employees of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

A1. Vehicles transporting three or more persons, including the driver, may be permitted toll-free use of the Dulles Toll Road during rush hours by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

B. Any tollgate keeper who shall refuse to permit the persons listed in subsection A of this section to pass through such tollgate or over such toll bridge or ferry, or toll road or toll tunnel upon presentation of such a toll pass, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars, and not less than two dollars and fifty cents. Any person other than those listed in subsection A of this section who shall exhibit any such toll pass for the purpose of using any toll bridge, toll tunnel or ferry shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and punished accordingly.

B1. Any vehicle operated by the holder of a valid driver's license issued by Virginia or any other state shall be allowed free use of all toll bridges, toll roads, and other toll facilities in Virginia, except the Norfolk-Virginia Beach Expressway, if:

1. The vehicle is specially equipped to permit its operation by a handicapped person;

2. The driver of the vehicle has been certified, either by a physician licensed by Virginia or any other state or by the Adjudication Office of the United States Veterans Administration, as being severely physically disabled and having permanent upper limb mobility or dexterity impairments which substantially impair his ability to deposit coins in toll baskets;

3. The driver has applied for and received from the Department of Transportation a vehicle window sticker identifying him as eligible for such free passage; and

4. Such identifying window sticker is properly displayed on the vehicle.

A copy of this subsection shall be posted at all toll bridges, toll roads, and other toll facilities in Virginia. The Department of Transportation shall provide envelopes for payments of tolls by those persons exempted from tolls pursuant to this subsection and shall accept any payments made by such persons.

C. Nothing contained in this section or in § 33.1-251 or § 33.1-285 shall operate to affect the provisions of § 22.1-187.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B of this section, only the following persons may use the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel or facilities of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority without the payment of toll when necessary and incidental to the conduct of official business:

1. The Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner;

2. Members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board;

3. Employees of the Department of Transportation;

4. The Superintendent of the Department of State Police;

5. Officers and employees of the Department of State Police;

6. The Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles;

7. Employees of the Department of Motor Vehicles; and

8. Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs.

2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on July 1, 1994, unless, prior to that date, the Commonwealth Transportation Board issues a written finding that implementation of the provision of this act would unduly interfere with the bond funding of the Dulles Toll Road.