JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT (REJECTED BY HOUSE)

We, the conferees, appointed by the respective bodies to consider and report upon the disagreeing vote on Senate Bill No. 575, report as follows:

A. We recommend that the House Amendments be rejected.

B. We recommend that the engrossed bill be amended as follows to resolve the matter(s) under disagreement.

1. Page 1, the engrossed bill, line 13

strike

lines 13 through 22

insert

Upon request by a person, the Commissioner may authorize such person to hire private persons, firms or contractors to remove snow and ice from any public highway in the Commonwealth of Virginia, provided that there will be no costs to the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions for work pursuant to this section. No private person, firm, contractor or other similar entity employed to remove snow and ice from any public highway shall be afforded sovereign immunity or immunity in any form whatsoever. Entities so employed shall be liable for civil damages including, but not limited to, damages for death, injury, or property damage resulting from any act or omission relating to the removal of snow and ice from public highways.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane H. Woods

Richard L. Saslaw

Patricia S. Ticer

Conferees on the part of the Senate

Robert D. Hull

James M. Scott

Richard L. Fisher

Conferees on the part of the House