General Assembly>Division of Legislative Services>Publications>Session Summaries>2003>Motor Vehicles


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Motor Vehicles

Passed

P HB1377

Special license plates. Repeals authorization for issuance of special license plates for Eagle Scouts and public safety communications professionals; members of the Navy League, Virginia State Police Alumni, Inc., AHEPA; the 82nd Airborne Division Association, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and the National Society of Black Engineers; supporters of public schools, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Chincoteague Pony Association; bearing the legends "Hampton Roads" and "Virginia is for Lovers"; celebrating the history of Fairfax County; and commemorating the 300th anniversary of the City of Falls Church. These plates failed to meet the requirement of § 46.2-725 that at least 350 prepaid applications be received for them by the Department of Motor Vehicles within three years of authorization by the General Assembly.
Patron - Landes

P HB1385

Motor vehicle headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and license plate illumination. Relocates Code provisions allowing motorcycles to be equipped with at least one or more auxiliary brake lights of types approved by the Superintendent of State Police and requires every motorcycle to have no more than two tail lights and a device so mounted as to illuminate its license plate. The bill also requires that all motor vehicles (other than motorcycles) and trailers and semitrailers being drawn by other vehicles have two red tail lights and that motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers, but not certain antique motor vehicles, have at least two brake lights.
Patron - Landes

P HB1398

Enhanced enforcement of litter laws via driving privilege suspension and community service. Provides that any person who unlawfully dumps trash, garbage or litter on public or private property may have his driving privileges suspended and may be ordered to perform community service.
Patron - Lingamfelter

P HB1406

Special license plates; supporters of certain programs for expectant mothers. Authorizes the issuance of special "revenue sharing" license plates bearing the legend: CHOOSE LIFE. These plates would be subject to an annual fee of $25 in addition to the prescribed fee for state license plates. For each such $25 fee collected in excess of 1,000 registrations, $15 would be paid annually to the locality in which the vehicle is registered and distributed to nongovernmental, not-for-profit agencies, that provide counseling and other services intended to meet the needs of expectant mothers who are committed to placing their children for adoption. No funds under this bill would be distributed to any agency that is involved or associated with abortion activities, including, but not necessarily limited to, counseling for or referrals to abortion clinics, providing medical abortion-related procedures, or pro-abortion advertising. No funds under this bill would be distributed to any agency that charges for services received.
Patron - Black

P HB1429

Motorcycle handlebars. Repeals provision that limits motorcycle handlebars to 15 inches above seat.
Patron - Janis

P HB1430

Determining speed of vehicle with various devices; certificate as to accuracy of device. Provides that in any court in which any question arises about the calibration or accuracy of any laser vehicle speed determination device, a certificate showing the calibration or accuracy of any method employed in calibrating or testing any laser is admissible as evidence. Currently, there is no specific provision for allowing laser calibrations into evidence. This bill incorporates HB 2298.
Patron - Albo

P HB1440

Vehicle registrations. Requires applicants for vehicle registrations to supply DMV with the street address of their residence.
Patron - Carrico

P HB1443

Sale or transfer of motor vehicle dealerships. Restricts, in the event of a proposed sale or transfer of a motor vehicle dealership, the conditions under which manufacturers and distributors have a right of first refusal by treating sale or transfer of a dealership to a limited liability company, corporation, or other entity controlled by a member or members of the family of one or more of the dealership's dealer owners.
Patron - Callahan

P HB1444

Reciprocity Board. Abolishes the Reciprocity Board. This bill incorporates HB 2176.
Patron - Amundson

P HB1457

Regulation of truck traffic on secondary highways. Requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board or its designee to act on formal requests from local governing bodies to restrict truck traffic on secondary highways within nine months of receipt of such requests. This bill incorporates HBs 1662 and 2709.
Patron - Reese

P HB1461

Visually impaired motorists. Allows certain state agencies to provide appropriate law-enforcement agencies with information regarding blind or otherwise visually impaired persons who continue to operate motor vehicles.
Patron - Wardrup

P HB1480

Secondary warning lights. Authorizes fire apparatus, government-owned vehicles operated on official business by a local fire chief or other local fire official, and rescue squad vehicles, ambulances, or any other emergency medical vehicles to be equipped with alternating, blinking, or flashing red or red and white secondary warning lights mounted inside the vehicle's taillights or marker lights. These lights must be of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police.
Patron - Cox

P HB1492

Special license plates, generally. Reduces from three years to two years the amount of time within which at least 350 prepaid applications for special license plates (except for those specifically exempted form this requirement) must be presented to DMV before those plates are issued. The bill also provides, subject to certain conditions, for the payment to the Department of an administrative fee of $3,500 in lieu of presentation of any specific number of prepaid applications (and the terms under which such fee may be refunded). Specific provisions are also included to guide the General Assembly's consideration of legislation proposing the authorization of so-called "revenue sharing" special license plates.
Patron - Wardrup

P HB1521

Salvage vehicles; branded titles. Requires that the titles of both repaired and rebuilt vehicles be permanently branded to show that they are salvage vehicles. The bill also defines "repaired vehicle" as "any salvage vehicle that has had repairs less than the amount necessary to make it a rebuilt vehicle."
Patron - Hogan

P HB1553

Bicycles. Revises the definition of "bicycle" (as it applies to Title 46.2, Motor Vehicles) to eliminate references to pedals and seat height. The bill also provides definitions for "bicycle lane," "shared-use path," and "sidewalk"; revises where and how bicyclists are to ride on highways; allows transportation of children under six years old on bicycles if they are securely attached to the bicycle in a seat or a trailer designed for young children; and allows but does not require bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds to display slow-moving vehicle emblems. This bill is identical to SB 1112.
Patron - Hargrove

P HB1560

Vehicle towing, recovery, and storage charges. Requires that fees charged for towing, recovery, and storage of trespassing vehicles be posted at the location where the vehicles are reclaimed. In lieu of posting, a written list of such fees may be provided, whether as part of a receipt or separately, to persons who reclaim the vehicles.
Patron - Orrock

P HB1593

Driver's license numbers. Eliminates optional use of social security numbers as driver's license numbers for licenses issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2003.
Patron - Byron

P HB1641

Commercial vehicles stopped on highway roadways or shoulders. Requires that whenever any commercial motor vehicle (as defined in § 46.2-341.4) is stopped on any roadway shoulder of any highway in the Commonwealth at any time for any cause other than stops necessary to comply with traffic control devices, lawfully installed signs, or signals of law-enforcement officers, the operator of such vehicle must immediately activate the vehicular hazard warning signal flashers and as soon as possible, but in any event within 10 minutes of stopping, place or cause to be placed on the roadway or shoulder three red reflectorized triangular warning devices of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police. One of the red reflectorized triangular warning devices must be placed in the center of the lane of traffic or shoulder occupied by the stopped vehicle and not less than 100 feet therefrom in the direction of traffic approaching in that lane, a second not less than 100 feet from such vehicle in the opposite direction and a third at the traffic side of such vehicle not closer than ten feet from its front or rear. However, if such vehicle is stopped within 500 feet of a curve or crest of a hill, or other obstruction to view, the red reflectorized triangular warning devices in that direction must be so placed as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway, but in no case less than 500 feet from the vehicle. Vehicular hazard warning signal flashers must continue to flash until the operator has placed the three red reflectorized triangular warning devices required in this subsection. The placement of red reflectorized triangular warning devices is not required within the corporate limits of cities unless, during the time which lights are required to be illuminated on motor vehicles by § 46.2-1030, the street or highway lighting is insufficient to make such vehicle clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet to a person on the highway. Flares or torches of a type approved by the Superintendent may be used in lieu of red reflectorized warning devices. In the event that the operator of the stopped vehicle elects to use flares or torches in lieu of red reflectorized triangular warning devices, the operator must ensure that at least one flare or torch remains lighted at each of the prescribed locations as long as the vehicle is stopped. If gasoline or any other flammable liquid or combustible liquid or gas seeps or leaks from a fuel container or a commercial motor vehicle stopped upon a highway, no emergency warning signal producing a flame is to be lighted or placed except at such a distance from any such liquid or gas as will ensure the prevention of a fire or explosion. The exception provided in this bill with respect to highways within the corporate limits of cities will not apply to any portion of any interstate highway within the corporate limits of any city. If any such vehicle is used for the transportation of flammable liquids in bulk, whether loaded or empty, or for transporting inflammable gases, red reflectorized triangular warning devices or red electric lanterns of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police must be used. Such reflectors or lanterns must be lighted and placed on the roadway.
Patron - Marshall, R.G.

P HB1657

Special license plates. Authorizes the issuance of revenue-sharing special license plates: Virginia is for Lovers; supporters of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation; commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of Secretariat's winning of horse racing's Triple Crown; supporters of Seton House; supporters of the Interdenominational Children's Foundation of Virginia; and Cold War veterans; fees.
Patron - Putney

P HB1677

Flashing of headlights on certain vehicles. Allows emergency vehicles in Chesapeake, Poquoson, and York County to use flashing headlights whenever their warning lights are activated. Under current law, they cannot use flashing headlights at night. This bill expires on July 1, 2005.
Patron - Rapp

P HB1680

"Out-of-service" inspections. Allows specialty trained law-enforcement officers of any locality to perform "out-of-service" inspections. This bill incorporates HBs 2018, 1557, and 1500 and is identical to SB 712.
Patron - Rapp

P HB1681

Prepayment of fines for violations of speed limits. Provides that the Traffic Infractions and Uniform Fine Schedule adopted by the Supreme Court for prepayment of fines must, in all instances where prepayment of a fine is permitted, include a fine of five dollars per mile-per-hour in excess of posted speed limits other than those for school crossings under § 46.2-8734, highway work zones under § 46.2-878.1, and certain residence zones under § 46.2-878.2. For these three situations, the Traffic Infractions and Uniform Fine Schedule must include a fine of more than five dollars per mile-per-hour in excess of posted speed limits.
Patron - McDougle

P HB1730

Regulation of parking. Allows Fairfax and Prince Williams Counties, by ordinance, to regulate or prohibit the parking of various classes of vehicles. This bill incorporates HBs 2574 and 2286.
Patron - Albo

P HB1733

Speeding in highway work zones. Increases the maximum fine for speeding in a highway work zone from $250 to $500.
Patron - Rollison

P HB1735

Special license plates. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates: members of the Air Force Association; seals, or localities; members of Job's Daughters; members of the Police Benevolent Association; medical doctors; teachers; Virginia's coal mining heritage; Langley Air Force Base; supporters of the Washington Capitals hockey team; members and supporters of the YMCAs of Virginia; members of the Izaak Walton League; celebrating the members and achievements of the Civilian Conservation Corps; the national motto: "In God We Trust"; and multiple sclerosis.
Patron - Rollison

P HB1786

Provisional drivers' licenses. Specifies that a violation of the curfew or passenger restrictions of a provisional driver's license is a traffic infraction and that for a second or subsequent violation the court may suspend the juvenile's privilege to drive for up to six months. Provisional drivers' licenses are initial licenses issued to persons less than 18 years of age and the drivers are restricted in the number of child passengers they may carry and the hours during which they may drive. This bill was recommended by the Committee on District Courts.
Patron - Kilgore

P HB1902

All-terrain vehicles. Allows limited over-the-road operation of all-terrain vehicles in Buchanan County.
Patron - Stump

P HB1903

Oversize and overweight vehicles. Transfers truck oversize and overweight permitting from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Patron - Stump

P HB1904

Overweight permits for certain trucks. Increases the distance that coal trucks traveling under overweight permits may travel from 35 miles to 85 miles. This bill includes an emergency clause.
Patron - Stump

P HB1911

Traffic infractions; penalty. Increases the general maximum penalty for traffic infractions to make it the same as the general maximum penalty for Class 4 misdemeanors (fine up to $250.00).
Patron - Almand

P HB1943

Towing. Exempts tow trucks towing vehicles by means of a wheel lift apparatus from requirements to have a drawbar and safety chain.
Patron - Drake

P HB1944

License suspensions for failure to pay judgments. Allows a person whose driving privileges, registration certificates, and license plates have been suspended for nonpayment of a judgment to petition the court for reinstatement. The court may order reinstatement even if the judgment has not been satisfied and no longer may be enforced, if (i) the judgment creditor cannot be found and if his heirs cannot be found, and (ii) the judgment debtor has paid into the court an amount equal to the judgment, court costs and all interest. The court is to hold any such payments for one year. If the payment is not claimed by the judgment creditor during that period, the court shall transmit the payments to the State Treasurer or his designee to be disposed of in accordance with the State Unclaimed Property Fund (Chapter 11.1 of Title 55).
Patron - Drake

P HB1954

Obtaining driver's licenses, special identification cards, etc.; legal presence in the US; fraudulent representation; penalty. Makes it Class 6 felony to obtain any document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) through the use of counterfeit, forged, or altered documents (unless the violation includes obtaining or possessing the documents for the purpose of engaging in an age-limited activity, in which case the violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor). The bill also provides that DMV will not issue an original license, permit, or special identification card to any applicant who has not presented with his application documentary evidence that he is either (i) a citizen of the United States, (ii) a legal permanent resident of the United States, or (iii) a conditional resident alien of the United States. An applicant who presents in person valid documentary evidence of (a) a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into the United States, (b) a pending or approved application for asylum in the United States, (c) entry into the United States in refugee status, (d) a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States, (e) approved deferred action status, or (f) a pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent residence status or conditional resident status, may be issued a temporary license, permit, or special identification card. Such temporary license, permit, or special identification card shall be valid only during the period of time of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States or if there is no definite end to the period of authorized stay a period of one year. Any temporary license, permit, or special identification card issued pursuant to this subsection is required to clearly indicate that it is temporary and state the date that it expires. Such a temporary license, permit or identification card may be renewed only upon presentation of valid documentary evidence that the status by which the applicant qualified for the temporary license, permit or special identification has been extended by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service or the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security. Applications for renewal, duplication, or reissuance of licenses and special identification cards will be presumed to have been validly issued, provided that, at the time the application is made, the license has not expired, or been cancelled, suspended or revoked. The bill finally requires that driver's license endorsements by the DMV including the issue, reissue, or renewal authorizing a driver to operate a vehicle transporting hazardous materials must comply with the requirements of USA Patriot Act of 2001 The bill becomes effective on January 1, 2004, except that the provisions relating to the Patriot Act become effective on July 1, 2004. On or before December 1, 2003, DMV must report to the General Assembly the content of regulations that the Department of Motor Vehicles intends to promulgate to carry out the provisions of this act. This bill is identical to SB1058.
Patron - Albo

P HB1962

Commercial driver's licenses; hazardous materials endorsement. Meets the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001 which, in part, prohibits issuance by states of commercial driver's licenses with hazardous materials endorsements unless the U.S. Secretary of Transportation certifies that the applicant poses no security risk. This bill is the same as SB 1225.
Patron - Cosgrove

P HB1995

Vehicles used in harvesting. Requires certain vehicles validly registered in other states and used in conjunction with harvesting operations to pay $100 prior to being issued an exemption permit under § 46.2-668.
Patron - Bloxom

P HB2016

Residential subdivisions. Allows local governing bodies that have adopted ordinances under Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 to require, as a part of such land use regulations for residential subdivisions employing roadways and parking areas not in public ownership, the posting and maintenance of signs or other appropriate markings regulating the operation and parking of motor vehicles and pedestrian traffic.
Patron - Bell

P HB2110

Damaging highway signs; penalty. Provides that if a person intentionally damages any legally posted highway sign, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill incorporates HB 2014.
Patron - Barlow

P HB2150

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to provide self-service options to customers. Allows DMV to provide, at its offices, self-service options that will provide customers with access to the Department's Internet transactions for persons who would prefer to transact their business with the Department via the Internet.
Patron - Rust

P HB2153

Motor vehicle fees. Amends the statutes that authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to charge vehicle fees for passenger and property carriers. This bill modifies these statutes to clarify the purpose of motor carrier vehicle fees and identify the entities that must pay these fees.
Patron - Rust

P HB2174

Safety inspection approval stickers; motorcycles. Allows display of safety approval stickers on plates securely fastened to motorcycles for that purpose.
Patron - Phillips

P HB2257

Driver's licenses for persons less than 18 years old. Limits the number of less-than-18-year-old passengers allowed in a vehicle operated by a driver less than 18 years old to one for the first year of licensure, and thereafter three until the driver turns 18.
Patron - Watts

P HB2269

Regulation of parking by localities. Allows all localities to regulate parking. This bill is identical to SB 1220.
Patron - Rust

P HB2329

Funeral processions. Allows all vehicles traveling in escorted or unescorted funeral processions to display high beam headlights and flash all four turn signals or hazard lights.
Patron - Bland

P HB2404

Driver education. Provides for teaching the behind-the-wheel portion of driver education by home schooling parents.
Patron - Oder

P HB2479

Laser speed determination devices. Allows all localities to use laser speed determination devices.
Patron - Oder

P HB2483

Motor vehicles; failure to pay parking citations. Extends the power of the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse to renew motor vehicle registrations when an owner of a vehicle owes delinquent parking citations to the locality where it is registered. This bill does not apply to rental vehicles and expires on July 1, 2005.
Patron - Tata

P HB2502

Motor vehicle dealers, T&M vehicle dealers, trailer dealers, and motorcycle dealers. Authorizes Virginia-licensed motor vehicle dealers, T&M vehicle dealers, trailer dealers, and motorcycle dealers to act as agents of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of renewing the registration of any Virginia-registered vehicle.
Patron - Griffith

P HB2504

Disabled parking. Treats persons with disabilities that create a concern for safety while walking (Alzheimer's patients, etc.) the same as mobility-impaired persons for purposes of issuance of disabled parking placards.
Patron - Griffith

P HB2521

Equipment Dealers Protection Act. Clarifies that a notice and right to cure a deficiency is not required if a supplier terminates an agreement for good cause.
Patron - Morgan

P HB2604

Motor Vehicle Transaction Recovery Fund. Allows motor vehicle dealers and salespersons to be bonded instead of participating in the Motor Vehicle Transaction Recovery Fund.
Patron - Bryant

P HB2674

Driver's license expirations. Provides that driver's licenses will expire on the applicant's birthday, rather than on the last day of the month in which he was born.
Patron - May

P HB2681

Motorcycle dealers. Deems all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles to be motorcycles for the purpose of Chapter 19.2 (Motorcycle Dealers) of Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles) of the Code of Virginia. Dealers who sell only all-terrain vehicles or off-road motorcycles, however, are excluded from application of the chapter. Manufacturers of all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles are exempted for licensure as motorcycle dealers. The bill also clarifies procedures to be followed in handling protests under the motorcycle dealer franchise law.
Patron - Abbitt

P HB2685

Flashing red or red and white warning lights. Allows vehicles of local Departments of Emergency Management to be equipped with flashing red or red and white warning lights.
Patron - Ware

P HB2708

Special license plates; Special Forces Association. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to members of the Special Forces Association. These plates would be exempt from the minimums specified in § 46.2-725, but would not be issued unless and until the DMV Commissioner receives at least 50 prepaid applications for them and a one-time fee in an amount adequate to offset the normal costs associated with production of special license plates.
Patron - Hugo

P HB2720

Vehicle dealers; on-line system filing fees; manual transaction fees. Provides for collection of on-line filing fees from motor vehicle dealers who use a remote electronic filing system, approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles, to obtain a certificate of title or registration for the purchaser of a vehicle and for the collection of manual transaction fees (for manual transactions in excess of 10 transactions per month) from certain dealers who do not use a remote electronic filing system. Provisions of this bill dealing with manual transaction fees do not become effective until December 31, 2003.
Patron - Rollison

P HB2745

Hearing or speech impaired drivers. Provides that, when so requested by the licensee and confirmed by a physician's statement, a driver's license may indicate that its holder is hearing or speech impaired.
Patron - Marshall, D.W.

P HB2767

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); The Library of Virginia. Provides for a partnership between DMV and The Library of Virginia to promote use of public library Internet access terminals to complete on-line transactions with the Department.
Patron - Brink

P HB2795

Red warning lights. Allows vehicles owned or used by police chaplains to be equipped with red warning lights. These lights could be used only when responding to emergency calls. Only chaplains who have passed a course in operation of a motor vehicle under emergency conditions may use these lights.
Patron - Janis

P HB2797

Overweight permits; specialized mobile equipment. Provides for the issuance of overweight permits for specialized mobile equipment.
Patron - Stump

P HJ685

Improvement in project and cash-flow management in Department of Transportation. Requests the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner to report to the General Assembly on actions taken to improve project and cash-flow management within the Department of Transportation and improvements achieved as the result of such actions.
Patron - Oder

P SB711

Red or red and white flashing warning lights. Allows vehicles used by security personnel of the Winchester Medical Center to be equipped with flashing red or red and white warning lights.
Patron - Potts

P SB712

"Out-of-service" inspections. Allows specially trained law-enforcement officers of all localities to perform "out-of-service" inspections. This bill incorporates SBs 1260 and 716 is identical to HB 1680.
Patron - Potts

P SB721

"Photo-toll" program. Enhances penalties associated with failure to pay a required toll for using a toll facility using a "photo-toll" toll payment enforcement system and explicitly allows the use of "photo-toll" systems on non-VDOT toll facilities. The bill provides a mechanism by which penalties can be assessed against operators of rented and leased vehicles.
Patron - Blevins

P SB724

Bicycle racks on buses. Permits installation of bicycle racks on the fronts of buses operated by cities, counties, transit authorities, transit districts, or transportation districts.
Patron - Deeds

P SB744

Green warning lights. Allows use of green warning lights on incident command vehicles.
Patron - O'Brien

P SB782

Tables of speed and stopping distances. Requires courts to take notice that the table was constructed using scientific reasoning to provide factfinders with an average baseline for motor vehicle stopping distances. Site-specific research may be used under any circumstances.
Patron - Deeds

P SB816

License suspension. Requires the clerk to mail notice of a license suspension within five days of the court's order as opposed to the two days required under current law.
Patron - Norment

P SB1058

Obtaining driver's licenses, special identification cards, etc.; legal presence in the US; fraudulent representation; penalty. Makes it Class 6 felony to obtain any document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles DMV through the use of counterfeit, forged, or altered documents (unless the violation includes obtaining or possessing the documents for the purpose of engaging in an age-limited activity, in which case the violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor). The bill also provides that DMV will not issue an original license, permit, or special identification card to any applicant who has not presented with his application documentary evidence that he is either (i) a citizen of the United States, (ii) a legal permanent resident of the United States, or (iii) a conditional resident alien of the United States. An applicant who presents in person valid documentary evidence of (a) a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into the United States, (b) a pending or approved application for asylum in the United States, (c) entry into the United States in refugee status, (d) a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States, (e) approved deferred action status, or (f) a pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent residence status or conditional resident status, may be issued a temporary license, permit, or special identification card. Such temporary license, permit, or special identification card shall be valid only during the period of time of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States or if there is no definite end to the period of authorized stay a period of one year. Any temporary license, permit, or special identification card issued pursuant to this subsection is required to clearly indicate that it is temporary and state the date that it expires. Such a temporary license, permit or identification card may be renewed only upon presentation of valid documentary evidence that the status by which the applicant qualified for the temporary license, permit or special identification has been extended by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service or the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security. Applications for renewal, duplication, or reissuance of licenses and special identification cards will be presumed to have been validly issued, provided that, at the time the application is made, the license has not expired, or been cancelled, suspended or revoked. The bill finally requires that driver's license endorsements by the DMV including the issue, reissue, or renewal authorizing a driver to operate a vehicle transporting hazardous materials must comply with the requirements of USA Patriot Act of 2001 The bill becomes effective on January 1, 2004, except that the provisions relating to the Patriot Act become effective on July 1, 2004. On or before December 1, 2003, DMV must report to the General Assembly the content of regulations that the Department of Motor Vehicles intends to promulgate to carry out the provisions of this act. This bill is identical to HB 1954.
Patron - O'Brien

P SB1074

Golf carts. Allows operation of golf carts on the public highways in the Town of Cape Charles if the golf carts display slow-moving vehicle emblems, are operated by licensed drivers, and are not operated on Virginia Route 184 east of Fulcher Street. The Town Council of the Town of Cape Charles may, by ordinance, impose additional limitations and restrictions on the operation of golf carts on the public highways within the Town.
Patron - Rerras

P SB1112

Bicycles. Revises the definition of "bicycle" (as it applies to Title 46.2, Motor Vehicles) to eliminate references to pedals and seat height. The bill also provides definitions for "bicycle lane," "shared-use path," and "sidewalk"; revises where and how bicyclists are to ride on highways; allows transportation of children under six years old on bicycles if they are securely attached to the bicycle in a seat or a trailer designed for young children; and allows but does not require bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds to display slow-moving vehicle emblems. This bill is identical to HB 1553.
Patron - Whipple

P SB1161

Parking. Grants Arlington County the same ability as Fairfax and Prince William Counties to regulate or prohibit the parking, on any public highway in the county, of watercraft, boat trailers, motor homes, and camping trailers.
Patron - Ticer

P SB1181

Excursion trains. Adds Buchanan County, by population, to the list of counties in which a person may predominantly operate an excursion train and be certified as an excursion train operator by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Excursion trains are passenger trains primarily used for tourism or public service, and that lead to the promotion of the tourist industry in the Commonwealth. Certified operators must carry at least $10 million in liability insurance for injuries to persons or property and cannot also own or operate a regularly scheduled passenger train service with interstate connection.
Patron - Puckett

P SB1190

Youthful drivers. Allows persons under 18 whose driver's licenses have been suspended for a second moving violation to obtain restricted licenses to drive to and from work if there is no other means of transportation by which they can travel to and from work.
Patron - Wagner

P SB1220

Parking. Allows localities to regulate parking within their boundaries. This bill is identical to HB 2269.
Patron - Williams

P SB1225

Commercial driver's licenses; hazardous materials endorsement. Meets the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001 which, in part, prohibits issuance by states of commercial driver's licenses with hazardous materials endorsements unless the U.S. Secretary of Transportation certifies that the applicant poses no security risk. This bill is identical to HB 1962.
Patron - Williams

P SB1230

Special license plates. Authorizes several new series of special license plates: members of city councils; members of town councils; members and former members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment ("Old Guard"); supporters of the Mariners' Museum; persons who are emergency medical technicians and paramedics; persons who are both emergency medical technicians or paramedics and firefighters; military parachutists; members of the Special Forces Association; Virginia's coal mining heritage; members of the Air Force Association; supporters of the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters; Virginia certified hunter education instructors; members and supporters of the Urban League of Hampton Roads; historic covered bridges; supporters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Friends of Tibet; and supporters of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Patron - Williams

P SB1263

Courier vehicles. Exempts courier vehicles from regulation as motor carriers of property.
Patron - Bolling

P SB1276

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); customer service pilot project. Establishes a pilot project whereby private business entities perform certain customer transactions with the DMV on behalf of business companies, firms, and corporations.
Patron - Wagner

P SB1337

Collection of local license fees by Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Provides that, when DMV collects local vehicle license fees under an agreement with a locality, the fees received by DMV will be deposited in a fiduciary account and interest on the account will accrue to the benefit of the locality. The bill includes an emergency clause.
Patron - Rerras

Failed

F HB1374

Special license plates; commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of Secretariat's winning of horse racing's Triple Crown; fees. Authorizes the issuance of "revenue sharing" special license plates to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Secretariat's winning of horse racing's Triple Crown. The annual surcharge for these plates would be $25, instead of the standard $10 for most other non-revenue-sharing special license plates. For each set of plates issued (after the first 1,000 sets), $15 will go to the Secretariat Museum Foundation to assist in the creation and operation of the Secretariat Museum. This bill is incorporated into HB 1657.
Patron - McDougle

F HB1388

Special license plates; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Reauthorizes issuance of special license plates for members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. These license plates were originally authorized by the 1996 Session of the General Assembly, but the authorization was repealed by the 2000 Session when 350 prepaid applications were not received by the Department of Motor Vehicles within three years of authorization as required by § 46.2-725.
Patron - Lingamfelter

F HB1389

Special license plates; members of the American Legion. Reauthorizes issuance of special license plates for members of the American Legion by repealing authorization in § 46.2-746.4 and granting new authorization in § 46.2-746.4:01. These plates were authorized by the 1995 Session of the General Assembly, but fewer than 100 sets of these plates are still in use. This reauthorization will enable the Department of Motor Vehicles to accept new applications for these plates.
Patron - Lingamfelter

F HB1395

Special license plates; supporters of scholastic rowing; fees. Authorizes the issuance of "revenue sharing" special license plates to supporters of scholastic rowing. The annual surcharge for these plates would be $25, instead of the standard $10 for most other non-revenue-sharing special license plates. For each set of plates issued (after the first 1,000 sets), $15 will go to the Scholastic Rowing Fund and be paid out annually in equal amounts to secondary educational institutions that in the preceding 12 months had scholastic rowing programs and applied for receipt of funds from the Scholastic Rowing Fund. Proceeds from the Fund are to be used exclusively to supplement the salaries of coaches involved with scholastic rowing programs.
Patron - Lingamfelter

F HB1407

Special license plates; members of the Izaak Walton League. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to members of the Izaak Walton League. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Black

F HB1410

Vehicle registrations; voluntary contributions to Jamestown 400th anniversary commemoration. Requires that any form used in applying for the registration of a vehicle or renewal of any such registration include language permitting the applicant to make a voluntary contribution of two dollars to support a special license plate program and other activities in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown Settlement in 2007. These provisions would expire on July 1, 2008.
Patron - Cosgrove

F HB1416

Special license plates; Sons of Confederate Veterans. Removes the prohibition on display of the organization's logo on Sons of Confederate Veterans special license plates.
Patron - Black

F HB1417

Motor vehicle emissions inspections. Exempts vehicles of the five most recent model years from emissions inspections.
Patron - Black

F HB1423

Safety inspections. Exempts vehicles manufactured for the five most recent model years from safety inspections. This exemption does not, however, apply to inspections required to be preformed by dealers prior to sale of any vehicle.
Patron - Black

F HB1428

Vehicle license plates. Provides for only one license plate on registered vehicles.
Patron - Louderback

F HB1432

Passing school buses. Provides that failure to stop for a school bus displaying flashing warning lights on any highway or school driveway for the purpose of preparing to stop to take on or discharge passengers is reckless driving.
Patron - Louderback

F HB1436

Eluding police. Provides that if any person who, having received a visible or audible signal from any law-enforcement officer to bring his motor vehicle to a stop, drives such motor vehicle in a willful and wanton disregard of such signal and causes an injury or death he is guilty of a Class 5 felony.
Patron - Cosgrove

F HB1438

Special license plates; members of the Virginia General Assembly. Provides that General Assembly members' special license plate numbers will be the same as their House or Senate district number.
Patron - Cosgrove

F HB1439

Special license plates; medical doctors. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to medical doctors. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Cosgrove

F HB1445

Special license plates; members and achievements of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates commemorating the members and achievements of the Civilian Conservation Corps. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Louderback

F HB1452

Special license plates; supporters of Seton House; fees. Authorizes the issuance of "revenue sharing" special license plates to supporters of Seton House. The annual surcharge for these plates would be $25, instead of the standard $10 for most other non-revenue-sharing special license plates. For each set of plates issued (after the first 1,000 sets), $15 will go to Seton House for support of its programs and activities in Virginia. This bill is incorporated into HB 1657.
Patron - Purkey

F HB1462

Special license plates; teachers. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates for teachers. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Wardrup

F HB1465

Special license plates; Job's Daughters. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates for members of Job's Daughters. These plates would be subject to standard fees and prepaid application requirements contained in § 46.2-725. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Ingram

F HB1483

Special license plates; national motto. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates bearing the national motto: "IN GOD WE TRUST." This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Byron

F HB1500

"Out-of-service" inspections. Adds Fauquier County to the list of localities whose specially trained law-enforcement officers are authorized to perform "out-of-service" inspections.
Patron - Lingamfelter

F HB1534

Driver's licenses. Increases from a Class 2 misdemeanor (jail for up to six months and/or a fine up to $1,000) to a Class 6 felony (one to five years in prison or up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500) the penalty for giving a false or fictitious name or giving a false or fictitious address, or knowingly making a false statement or concealing a material fact or otherwise committing fraud in a driver's license application. The present Class 4 felony penalty for using a driver's license or concealing a fact or committing fraud with the intent to purchase a firearm remains unchanged.
Patron - Janis

F HB1557

"Out-of-service" inspections. Allows specially trained law-enforcement officers of the Town of Gordonsville to perform "out-of-service" inspections.
Patron - Broman

F HB1565

Cases involving a child who is charged with a traffic infraction. Allows the court to refer the child to any suitable community driver safety program as part of the punishment for the offense or as a condition of probation or deferred disposition.
Patron - Callahan

F HB1573

Special license plates; supporters of the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to supporters of the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Hamilton

F HB1585

Vehicle registrations; voluntary contributions to Jamestown 400th anniversary commemoration. Requires that any form used in applying for the registration of a vehicle or renewal of any such registration include language permitting the applicant to make a voluntary contribution of two dollars to support a special license plate program and other activities in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown Settlement in 2007. These provisions would expire on July 1, 2008.
Patron - Cole

F HB1613

Pedestrians. Provides that no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk, run, or otherwise move into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop before colliding with the pedestrian. The bill also requires the drivers to stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the highway and prohibits drivers of other vehicles approaching the stopped vehicle from the rear from overtaking and passing the stopped vehicle.
Patron - Darner

F HB1632

"Photo-toll" program. Enhances penalties associated with failure to pay a required toll for using a toll facility using a "photo-toll" toll payment enforcement system and explicitly allows the use of "photo-toll" systems on non-VDOT toll facilities. The bill also requires that if a vehicle owner submits an affidavit that he was not the operator of the vehicle as to which no toll was paid, he must identify the operator and provides a mechanism by which penalties can be assessed against operators of rented and leased vehicles.
Patron - Cosgrove

F HB1637

Motor vehicle liability insurance. Provides that the minimum public liability financial responsibility requirements for operators of vans with a capacity of at least seven but not more than 14 passengers, exclusive of the driver, when those passengers are related to one another by blood or marriage shall be $350,000 and the minimum cargo insurance required for such vehicles shall be $5,000.
Patron - Weatherholtz

F HB1642

Motor fuel tax stickers. Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to supply businesses engaged in the retail sale of motor fuels in Virginia stickers indicating the federal, state, and other taxes included in the price of a gallon of motor fuel. The bill also requires motor fuel retailers to display these stickers on their fuel pumps. Failure to display the stickers as required is punishable as a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $25.
Patron - Marshall, R.G.

F HB1659

Salvage vehicles. Requires that all salvage vehicles that are repaired or rebuilt for over-the-road use have titles permanently branded to show that they are "rebuilt vehicles." There are also editorial and technical changes.
Patron - Wardrup

F HB1670

Motorcycle passengers. Prohibits transportation of passengers less than six years old on motorcycles.
Patron - Orrock

F HB1687

Television receivers and video monitors in motor vehicles. Expands the current prohibition on having television receivers in motor vehicles within view of the driver to include video monitors as well. The bill also provides that any vehicle equipped with a television receiver or other video monitor forward of the driver's seat or the screen of which would otherwise be visible to the driver while driving the vehicle will not be issued a Virginia motor vehicle safety inspection approval sticker or be registered in Virginia until such television receiver or other video monitor is removed or permanently disabled. Any person in Virginia who installs any device or equips any vehicle in violation of these provisions will be liable for the cost of removal of the unlawful equipment on demand of the vehicle's registered owner.
Patron - Landes

F HB1689

Motor vehicle dealers. Repeals the provision of § 46.2-1500 that exempts persons who sell and distribute fire-fighting equipment, ambulances, and funeral vehicles from having to be licensed as motor vehicle dealers.
Patron - McQuigg

F HB1696

Photo-monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals. Expands photo-monitoring systems for traffic signal enforcement to all of Virginia instead of specified localities.
Patron - McQuigg

F HB1728

Speed limits; enforcement using photo-radar technology. Allows state police officers (and law-enforcement officers of localities where authorized by ordinance) to use photo-radar technology, operated by law-enforcement officers, to enforce speed limits. Violators would be subject to a civil penalty calculated as provided for in the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia for a speeding violation.
Patron - Albo

F HB1745

Farm vehicles. Eliminates travel distance limitations on farm vehicles exempt from registration.
Patron - McDougle

F HB1771

Local vehicle licenses. Provides for issuance of special local vehicle licenses with fees that include a voluntary contribution used to support local school athletic programs and activities.
Patron - Nutter

F HB1780

License plate covers. Authorizes use of colorless, transparent glass or plastic to cover vehicle license plates.
Patron - Miles

F HB1802

Removal and disposition of unattended or immobile vehicles. Provides that if the owner of the unattended or immobile vehicle fails or refuses to pay the cost or removal and storage of his vehicle or if his identity or whereabouts is unknown and unascertainable after 180 days, the vehicle can be treated as abandoned.
Patron - Carrico

F HB1804

Vehicles registered as farm vehicles. Provides that registration of a vehicle as a farm vehicle does not prohibit use of such a vehicle for nonfarm purposes.
Patron - Carrico

F HB1848

Motorcycles; helmets. Limits the application of the "motorcycle helmet law" to operators and passengers less than 21 years old, and provides that a citation for a violation of the provisions requiring the operator or passenger to wear a protective helmet may not be issued unless the officer has another reason to stop the vehicle or arrest the driver.
Patron - Lingamfelter

F HB1878

Pedestrians. Allows Fairfax County, counties and cities adjoining Fairfax County, and towns within Fairfax County to require motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks of highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. The provisions of the bill do not apply to intersections controlled by traffic lights.
Patron - Amundson

F HB1882

"Photo-toll" program. Enhances penalties associated with failure to pay a required toll for using a toll facility using a "photo-toll" toll payment enforcement system and explicitly allows the use of "photo-toll" systems on non-VDOT toll facilities. The bill also requires that if a vehicle owner submits an affidavit that he was not the operator of the vehicle as to which no toll was paid, he must identify the operator and provides a mechanism by which penalties can be assessed against operators of rented and leased vehicles.
Patron - Suit

F HB1909

Special license plates; supporters of the Washington Capitals hockey team. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates for supporters of the Washington Capitals hockey team. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Almand

F HB1910

Driving while distracted. Prohibits engaging in any distracting activity while driving. "Distracting activity" is defined as responding to events, persons, or objects inside or outside the motor vehicle that are not related to the safe operation of the vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to: personal grooming, food or beverage consumption, use of an electronic device, reading, and interacting with passengers or pets.
Patron - Almand

F HB1938

Motorcycle helmets. Exempts motorcyclists operating on scenic highways and Virginia byways from the motorcycle helmet law. The bill also makes failure to wear a required helmet a "secondary offense" (like failure to wear a safety belt).
Patron - Nixon

F HB1983

Vehicle weighing. Allows the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to enter into agreements with Fauquier, Frederick, and Warren Counties to provide for training and authorization to enable the counties' sheriff's department personnel to carry out vehicle weighing functions at the Department's motor carrier service centers in such counties.
Patron - Athey

F HB2005

Child restraint devices. Amends the law requiring the use of child restraint devices for children less than six years old who are being transported in motor vehicles by striking the exception that allows the transportation of unrestrained children in the rear cargo area of vehicles other than pickup trucks.
Patron - Bell

F HB2014

Damaging highway signs. Makes purposely damaging, knocking down, or destroying lawfully posted highway signs a Class 1 misdemeanor (jail up to 12 months and/or fine up to $2,500) instead of a Class 2 misdemeanor (jail up to six months and/or a fine up to $1,000). This bill is incorporated into HB 2110.
Patron - Bell

F HB2015

Determining speed of motor vehicles. Eliminates the distinction between State Police officers and local law-enforcement officers in use of radar, laser, and VASCAR speed determination devices.
Patron - Bell

F HB2018

"Out-of-service" inspections. Adds Albemarle County to the list of localities whose specially trained law-enforcement officers are authorized to perform "out-of-service" inspections.
Patron - Bell

F HB2023

Special license plates; Virginia scuba divers. Reauthorizes issuance of special license plates for Virginia scuba divers. Previous legislation authorizing these plates was repealed by the 2002 Regular Session.
Patron - Bell

F HB2080

Special license plates; members of the Police Benevolent Association. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to members of the Police Benevolent Association. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Gear

F HB2085

Rebuilt vehicles; inspections. Increases the fee for inspection of repaired and rebuilt vehicles from a fee not to exceed $25 per vehicle to a fee of $85 per vehicle.
Patron - Abbitt

F HB2088

Oversize and overweight vehicle permits. Provides that oversize or overweight permits will not be required for the operation of vehicles more than 65 feet long if such vehicles are either (i) being used to transport Virginia-grown agricultural products or (ii) traveling to take on a cargo of Virginia-grown agricultural products or traveling on a return trip after having delivered a cargo of Virginia-grown agricultural products.
Patron - Abbitt

F HB2133

Special license plates; Langley Air Force Base. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates bearing the legend: LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Gear

F HB2137

Vehicle registrations; voluntary contributions to Jamestown 400th anniversary commemoration. Requires that any form used in applying for the registration of a vehicle or renewal of any such registration include language permitting the applicant to make a voluntary contribution of two dollars to support a special license plate program and other activities in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown Settlement in 2007. These provisions would expire on July 1, 2008.
Patron - Brink

F HB2149

Discounts on certain transactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Provides a schedule of discounts to be offered by DMV in connection with transactions performed by customers using the Internet, telephone, or mail.
Patron - Rust

F HB2173

Special license plates; coal mining heritage. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates celebrating Virginia's coal mining heritage. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Phillips

F HB2176

Reciprocity Board. Abolishes the Reciprocity Board. The three-member Board comprised of the Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner, the Transportation Commissioner and a State Corporation Commission representative was created in 1942 to advise the Governor on reciprocal agreements with other states with respect to taxes on motor vehicles, the operation of motor vehicles, or any transaction incident to the operation of motor vehicles. The Board has not met for at least seven or eight years and the responsibilities of the Board regarding reciprocal agreements are currently performed by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 46.2-703. This bill is identical to legislation recommended by the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Operations, Practices, Duties, and Funding of the Commonwealth's Agencies, Boards, Commissions, Councils, and Other Governmental Entities pursuant to HJR 159 (2002). This bill is incorporated into HB 1444.
Patron - Rust

F HB2186

Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995. Prohibits imposition of tolls on existing interstate highways in connection with highway projects undertaken under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995.
Patron - Saxman

F HB2203

Special license plates; supporters of Deep Creek High School. Authorizes the issuance of "revenue- sharing" license plates to supporters of Deep Creek High School. For each set of plates issued (after the first 1,000 sets), $15 will go to Deep Creek High School to be used to support its operation, programs, and activities.
Patron - Jones, S.C.

F HB2248

County parking ordinances. Allows counties to provide for enhanced penalties for repeat parking offenders.
Patron - Watts

F HB2251

Special license plates; supporters of the Foundation for Physical Therapy; fees. Authorizes the issuance of "revenue sharing" special license plates to supporters of the Foundation for Physical Therapy. The annual surcharge for these plates would be $25, instead of the standard $10 for most other non-revenue-sharing special license plates. For each set of plates issued (after the first 1,000 sets), $15 will go to the Foundation for Physical Therapy to support its programs and activities in Virginia.
Patron - Watts

F HB2280

Prepayment of speeding citations. Provides that, in all instances where prepayment of a fine is permitted, the fine for speeding will be five dollars per mile-per-hour in excess of posted speed limits.
Patron - Hurt

F HB2286

Regulation of parking. Allows Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William Counties, by ordinance, to regulate or prohibit the parking of trailers, semitrailers, and vehicles that fit the definition of "commercial motor vehicle" in § 46.2-341.4. This bill incorporates HB 2574.
Patron - Devolites

F HB2298

Determining the speed of a vehicle with various devices; certificate as to accuracy of devices. Amends language that allows certification of accuracy of speed detection devices to be offered as evidence to add proof of accuracy of laser speed determination devices. Currently only radar is covered. This bill is incorporated into HB 1430.
Patron - Devolites

F HB2330

Motor vehicles; wheel chair reflectors. Requires any wheel chair or wheel chair conveyance, whether self-propelled or otherwise, operated within the Commonwealth to be equipped with marker lights or reflectors located on the rear wheels and back of the wheel chair or wheel chair conveyance of a type, size, and color approved by the Superintendent of State Police.
Patron - Bland

F HB2352

Motor carrier financial responsibility requirements. Reduces the minimum financial responsibility requirements for motor carriers operating vehicles that are designed or manufactured to transport seven passengers, including the driver, to $350,000 if the Department of Medical Assistance Services certifies that (i) the vehicle is primarily used for the transportation of persons pursuant to a contract between its owner and the Department of Medical Assistance Services and (ii) the actual seating capacity of the vehicle has been permanently reduced to fewer than seven passengers, including the driver, as the result of the installation of a wheelchair lift or similar modification. Currently, the minimum financial responsibility required for vehicles designed or manufactured to transport between seven and 15 passengers, including the driver, is $1,500,000, regardless of the actual seating capacity.
Patron - Hull

F HB2359

Local vehicle licenses. Provides for issuance of special local vehicle licenses with fees that include a voluntary contribution used to support local school athletic programs and activities.
Patron - Shuler

F HB2374

Special license plates; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; fees. Authorizes the issuance of "revenue sharing" special license plates to supporters of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The annual surcharge for these plates would be $25, instead of the standard $10 for most other non-revenue-sharing special license plates. For each set of plates issued (after the first 1,000 sets), $15 will go to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to assist in its programs and activities.
Patron - Moran

F HB2381

Special license plates; active and retired law-enforcement officers. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates for active and retired sworn law-enforcement officers. These plates would be issued free of charge and would not be subject to minimum application and minimum active plate requirements of § 46.2-725.
Patron - Moran

F HB2398

Increase in level of fines that may be prepaid for speeding violations. Provides for an increase in fine amounts established in the Supreme Court's Traffic Infractions and Uniform Fine Schedule for speeding violations in business and residential districts, from not less than $3 per mile in excess of the speed limit to not less than $10 per mile in excess of the speed limit. This bill is incorporated into HB 2280.
Patron - May

F HB2412

Child restraints. Exempts vans or other vehicles used for transportation by child day centers or child day programs as defined in § 63.2-100 from coverage under the "child restraint law," provided that children who are at least four years old are restrained by lap belts. This bill includes an "emergency clause."
Patron - Marrs

F HB2416

Special license plates; members of the National Contract Management Association. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to members of the National Contract Management Association.
Patron - Welch

F HB2452

Special license plates; multiple sclerosis. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates bearing the legend: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. This bill is incorporated into HB 1735.
Patron - Griffith

F HB2459

Commissioners of the revenue; agents of the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Requires every commissioner of the revenue to enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to act as an agent of the Commissioner to register motor vehicles that have situs in their localities and collect fees associated therewith.
Patron - McDougle

F HB2466

Vehicle registration fees. Treats well-drilling support equipment the same way as well-drilling equipment.
Patron - Stump

F HB2491

Parking in Fairfax and Prince William Counties. Allows Fairfax and Prince William Counties to regulate or prohibit parking of trailers, semitrailers, and vehicles that are primarily used for commercial purposes and have registered gross weights of 6,000 pounds or more. This bill is incorporated into HB 1730.
Patron - Bolvin

F HB2493

Wireless telecommunications devices. Prohibits, except in emergencies, use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons less than 18 years old while operating a motor vehicle.
Patron - Bolvin

F HB2508

Removal of vehicles rendered inoperable by accidents or breakdowns. Provides a procedure for removal and storage of vehicles rendered inoperable by accidents or breakdowns. The provisions of the bill parallel the provisions of § 46.2-1209, relating to removal and storage of unattended or abandoned vehicles.
Patron - Griffith

F HB2574

Parking. Grants Arlington County the same ability as Fairfax and Prince William Counties to regulate or prohibit the parking, on any public highway in the county, of watercraft, boat trailers, motor homes, and camping trailers. This bill is incorporated into HB 2286.
Patron - Brink

F HB2581

Special license plate; "local logo" license plates. Provides for joint issuance of special "local logo" license plates. Revenue-sharing funds would be apportioned as agreed to with the Commissioner prior to issue.
Patron - Armstrong

F HB2628

Pedestrians. Requires, at certain locations, that the driver of any vehicle on a highway yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling by stopping and remaining stopped until the pedestrian has crossed the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling. In addition, the driver must also yield the right-of-way when any pedestrian, approaching the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling from the opposite half of the highway, would be in such close proximity to that traveling vehicle as to be in danger, and such vehicle shall stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling. The bill also allows localities by ordinance to require that the driver of any vehicle stop to permit the safe and expeditious passage of any pedestrian crossing such highway at a clearly marked or unmarked crosswalk when the driver is approaching on a highway or street where the legal maximum speed does not exceed 35 miles per hour.
Patron - Darner

F HB2663

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); customer service pilot project. Establishes a pilot project whereby private business entities perform certain customer transactions with the DMV on behalf of business companies, firms, and corporations. The pilot project is to conclude on December 1, 2004.
Patron - Cosgrove

F HB2675

Special license plate; Virginia is for lovers. Authorizes a "Virginia is for lovers" revenue-sharing special license plate. Revenues to be shared with the Virginia Tourism Authority and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association.
Patron - May

F HB2677

Driver's license suspension for graffiti or other injury to property. Provides for the mandatory suspension of the driver's license of any person convicted of destroying, defacing, or damaging any property not his own. If the violation is committed by a child under the age of 16 years and three months, the child's ability to apply for a driver's license shall be delayed for at least 30 days.
Patron - Baskerville

F HB2682

"Photo-red" programs. Allows the City of Norfolk to have a "photo-red" traffic light signal enforcement program and exempts vehicles in escorted funeral processions and vehicles yielding the right-of-way to emergency vehicles.
Patron - Alexander

F HB2690

Franchised motorcycle dealers. Requires manufacturers and distributors, in the event of an involuntary discontinuation, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise agreement, to repurchase certain vehicles, parts, and equipment from the dealer.
Patron - Bell

F HB2700

Reimbursement of towing and recovery operators. Requires the owner and carrier of any vehicle, cargo, or personal property that is removed or disposed of as the result of a motor vehicle accident to reimburse affected towing and recovery operators for all costs incurred in the removal and subsequent disposition of such property.
Patron - Reid

F HB2711

Safety belt system. Removes the provision that a citation for a violation of the seat belt law may not be issued unless the officer has another reason to stop the vehicle or arrest the driver; however, the officer is prohibited from searching or inspecting a vehicle, its contents, the driver or a passenger solely because of a violation of the seat belt law.
Patron - May

F HB2743

Colored warning lights on law-enforcement vehicles. Eliminates the requirement that colored warning lights on Department of Corrections vehicles and law-enforcement vehicles be of types approved by the Superintendent of State Police.
Patron - Gear

F HB2758

Delinquent parking citations. Provides a mechanism whereby the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles will refuse to renew the vehicle registration of any applicant if the vehicle is subject to two or more unpaid parking citations that are more than 90 days delinquent.
Patron - Rust

F HB2788

All-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles. Requires that every owner (other than a dealer) of any all-terrain vehicle or off-road motorcycle powered by a gasoline or diesel engine of more than 50 cubic centimeters displacement that is purchased as new on or after July 1, 2003, must obtain a title to the vehicle from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). On and after January 1, 2006, in order to purchase or otherwise acquire an all-terrain vehicle or off-road motorcycle, the purchaser must obtain a certificate of title from DMV. The bill provides that, for purposes of motorcycle dealers, all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles will be considered motorcycles. The bill also allows children under 12 years of age to operate all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles powered by engines of no more than 50 cubic centimeters displacement. Three sections of the tax code are also amended so as to avoid tax consequences flowing from titling of these vehicles. Nothing in the bill requires all-terrain vehicles or off-road motorcycles to be registered or licensed.
Patron - May

F SB697

Special license plates; emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and firefighters. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to emergency medical technicians and paramedics and to persons who are both emergency medical technicians or paramedics and firefighters. Each set of such special license plates would be subject to payment of a fee of one dollar in addition to the prescribed cost of state license plates. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - Deeds

F SB699

Special license plates; members of the Air Force Association. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to members of the Air Force Association. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - Howell

F SB708

Special license plates; Virginia certified hunter education instructors. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to Virginia certified hunter education instructors. This bill was incorporated in SB 1230.
Patron - Deeds

F SB716

"Out-of-service" inspections. Adds Bristol and Richmond City to the list of localities whose specially trained law-enforcement officers are authorized to perform "out-of-service" inspections of trucks and take unsafe vehicles out of service.
Patron - Wampler

F SB725

Buses; local ordinances may require traffic to yield right-of-way. Allows localities to adopt ordinances to require motorists to yield the right-of-way to transit buses merging into traffic after having stopped to take on or discharge passengers.
Patron - Deeds

F SB729

Special license plates; members and supporters of the Urban League of Hampton Roads. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to members and supporters of the Urban League of Hampton Roads. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - Miller, Y.B.

F SB748

Hand-held telecommunications devices. Prohibits use of hand-held wireless telecommunications devices while operating motor vehicles.
Patron - Puller

F SB767

Driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, temporary driver's permits, learner's permits, motorcycle learner's permits, and special identification cards. Requires that on and after July 1, 2003, every applicant for a driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification card must apply for it in person. Except for persons less than 19 years old and others to whom the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may grant a waiver, every original application must be accompanied by at least two documentary proofs of the applicant's name and date of birth (at least one of which must include a photograph of the applicant). Both documents must be original documents. A birth certificate issued by a state of the United States or a political subdivision of any state of the United States is one acceptable proof of the applicant's name and date of birth. The DMV Commissioner may accept translations of non-English language documents whose authenticity is certified by the United States Department of State or a U.S. embassy or consulate. If the applicant is a citizen of the United States he must (i) so certify on a form provided by the Commissioner, (ii) submit proof or proofs of citizenship in a number and form satisfactory to the Commissioner, and (iii) submit a birth certificate or other proof satisfactory to the Commissioner of his name and date of birth. However, once this certification has been made, these proofs of citizenship, name, and date of birth have been provided, and the applicable document has been duly issued by the Department, that document will be sufficient proof of United States citizenship when applying for other permits and documents issued by the Department. Further, the bill provides that on and after July 1, 2003, every applicant for a driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification card must apply for it in person and, if he is not a citizen of the United States, he must (i) certify, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner, that his presence in the United States is in conformity with federal law, (ii) submit proof or proofs, in a number and form satisfactory to the Commissioner, that his presence in the United States is in conformity with federal law, (iii) submit proof or proofs, in a number and form satisfactory to the Commissioner, of his immigration status, including, but not limited to, his visa or other document authorizing his presence in the United States, and (iv) submit a birth certificate or other proof satisfactory to the Commissioner of his name and date of birth. However, once these requirements have been met, and the applicable document has been issued by the Department, these provisions will not apply to persons who are not citizens of the United States but have submitted proof that they have been granted permanent status in the United States by an appropriate federal agency. Nevertheless, these provisions will continue to apply to any application for a driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, special identification card or renewal thereof, when the applicant is not a citizen of the United States and his presence in the United States is subject to a visa or other temporary status document issued by an appropriate federal agency. No driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification card issued to any applicant will be (i) valid for a length of time that exceeds the length of time during which the applicant is permitted by federal law to be present in the United States or (ii) issued to any person whose presence in the United States is not in conformity with federal law. No driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification card will be issued to any applicant when the length of time he is permitted by federal law to be present in the United States is less than one year; however, the Commissioner may waive this prohibition on a case-by-case basis for good cause shown. Every driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, and special identification card issued to a person who is not a United States citizen must state on its face either that the person to whom it is issued is a permanent immigrant or that he is a temporary immigrant. Every applicant for a driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification card must also certify that he is a resident of the Commonwealth by signing a certification statement, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner, and by providing satisfactory proof that he is a resident of the Commonwealth. No driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification card will be issued to or renewed for any person who is not a resident of Virginia. The Commissioner may adopt regulations to determine the process by which applicants prove that they are residents of the Commonwealth. The Commissioner may, on a case-by-case basis, waive any provision of these regulations for good cause shown, provided that, neither an immigration visa nor a signed written statement, whether or not such statement is notarized, wherein the maker of the statement vouches for the Virginia residency of the applicant, will be an acceptable proof of Virginia residency. If the applicant is a minor, the applicant's parent or guardian must also certify that the applicant is a resident by signing the certification. Any minor providing proper evidence of the solemnization of his marriage or a certified copy of a court order of emancipation will not be required to provide the parent's certification of residence. If the DMV Commissioner receives from any court or any state or federal law-enforcement agency reliable and convincing evidence or information that the presence in the United States of any person to whom a Virginia driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification card has been issued is no longer in conformity with federal law, the Commissioner will suspend any of these documents and provide notice of the suspension to the person's most recent address as shown in the records of the Department. If the person has not, within 60 days, provided to the Commissioner proof or proofs, in a number and form satisfactory to the Commissioner, that his presence in the United States is in conformity with federal law, the Commissioner will revoke the person's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary driver's permit, learner's permit, motorcycle learner's permit, or special identification card. The provisions of the bill, with a very few exceptions, do not apply to renewals, only to original issues of the covered DMV documents.
Patron - O'Brien

F SB768

Pedestrians; motorists on certain highways to stop. Allows localities to adopt ordinances requiring motorists on highways with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour to stop when approaching any pedestrian in a marked crosswalk and remain stopped until the pedestrian exits the crosswalk.
Patron - Cuccinelli

F SB791

Motor vehicle liability insurance. Provides that the minimum public liability financial responsibility requirements for operators of vans with a capacity of at least seven but not more than 14 passengers, exclusive of the driver, when those passengers are related to one another by blood or marriage shall be $350,000 and the minimum cargo insurance required for such vehicles shall be $5,000.
Patron - Miller, K.G.

F SB840

"Photo-red" programs. Allows all localities to use "photo-red" programs to enforce traffic light signals and extends the program's "sunset" to July 1, 2010.
Patron - Quayle

F SB845

Special license plates; historic covered bridges. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates bearing the legend: HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGES. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - Quayle

F SB906

Wireless telephones in motor vehicles; civil penalty; reporting requirement. Prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from using a hand-held wireless communication device while his vehicle is in motion, unless the device is equipped for hands-free operation and the driver is so operating the hands-free equipment. A violation is punishable by a $25 civil penalty. Law-enforcement agencies shall maintain a record of hand-held wireless communication device-related accidents.
Patron - Miller, Y.B.

F SB911

Delinquent parking citations. Provides a mechanism whereby the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles will refuse to renew the vehicle registration of any applicant if the vehicle is subject to two or more unpaid parking citations that are more than 90 days delinquent.
Patron - Whipple

F SB912

Pedestrians. Allows Fairfax County, counties and cities adjoining Fairfax County, and towns within Fairfax County or any county adjoining Fairfax County to require motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks of highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. The provisions of the bill do not apply to intersections controlled by traffic lights.
Patron - Whipple

F SB915

Applicants for driver's licenses, etc. Selective Service System registration. Provides that the provisions of law requiring certain applicants for a learner's permit, driver's license, commercial driver's license, or special identification card to register with the Selective Service System will not apply to an applicant whose application is accompanied by written statement, signed by a parent or guardian, stating that such parent or guardian declines to sign the application as required by law because such parent or guardian has a moral or religious objection to the registration of the applicant with the Selective Service System.
Patron - Ruff

F SB933

Local vehicle licenses. Provides for issuance of special local vehicle licenses with fees that include a voluntary contribution used to support local school athletic programs and activities.
Patron - Edwards

F SB996

Drivers to give attention to operation of vehicle. Requires every person operating a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth to give his full time and attention to the operation of the vehicle.
Patron - Mims

F SB1000

Special license plates; supporters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; fees. Authorizes the issuance of "revenue-sharing" special license plates to supporters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The annual surcharge for these plates would be $25, instead of the standard $10 for most other non-revenue-sharing special license plates. For each set of plates issued (after the first 1,000 sets), $15 will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to support the Society's Team in Training Program in Virginia. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - Mims

F SB1009

Vehicle license plates. Provides for only one license plate on registered vehicles.
Patron - Potts

F SB1046

Special license plates; members of city councils. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to members of city councils. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - Hanger

F SB1158

Department of Motor Vehicles' officers. Removes the requirement that full-time sworn members of the enforcement division of the Department of Motor Vehicles be on duty to enforce the criminal laws of the Commonwealth. The violation must have been committed in their presence or occur in their plain view as under current law.
Patron - Ticer

F SB1165

Driver's licenses. Increases from a Class 2 misdemeanor (jail for up to six months and/or a fine up to $1,000) to a Class 6 felony (one to five years in prison or up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500) the penalty for giving a false or fictitious name or giving a false or fictitious address, or knowingly making a false statement of concealing a material fact or otherwise committing fraud in a driver's license application. The present Class 4 felony penalty for using a driver's license for the purpose of concealing a fact of committing fraud with the intent to purchase a firearm remains unchanged.
Patron - Ticer

F SB1167

Vehicular warning lights. Authorizes vehicles used in constructing, maintaining, and repairing highways or utilities on or along public highways to be equipped with amber warning lights and/or high-intensity flashing, blinking, or alternating amber or clear strobe warning lights.
Patron - Puckett

F SB1170

Special license plates; coal mining heritage. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates celebrating Virginia's coal mining heritage. This bill was incorporated in SB 1230.
Patron - Puckett

F SB1185

Motorcycle helmets. Limits the requirement that motorcyclists wear helmets to persons less than 21 years old. The bill also makes violation of the "motorcycle helmet law" a secondary offense.
Patron - Wagner

F SB1211

Special license plates; military parachutists. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to military parachutists and former military parachutists. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - Newman

F SB1260

"Out-of-service" inspections. Allows specially trained law-enforcement officers of Newport News to perform "out-of-service" inspections.
Patron - Norment

F SB1272

Special license plates; Special Forces Association. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates to members of the Special Forces Association. These plates would be exempt from the minimums specified in § 46.2-725, but would not be issued unless and until the DMV Commissioner receives at least 50 prepaid applications for them and a one-time fee in an amount adequate to offset the normal costs associated with production of special license plates. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - O'Brien

F SB1283

Special license plates; FREE TIBET; fees. Authorizes the issuance of "revenue-sharing" special license plates bearing the legend FREE TIBET. The annual surcharge for these plates would be $25, instead of the standard $10 for most other non-revenue-sharing special license plates. For each set of plates issued (after the first 1,000 sets), $15 will go to the Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture. This bill is incorporated into SB 1230.
Patron - Ticer

F SB1325

Safety belt systems. Makes failure to use safety belts in motor vehicles a "primary offense."
Patron - Mims

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