The only “no” was from Del. T. Scott Garrett, R-Lynchburg

After some time was spent with introductions of new VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick and some key members of his staff, of the new Director of Rail & Public Transportation, and two key members of the Transportation Secretary’s staff, HB82/Don’t follow too closely sailed right out of House Transportation this morning, 17 – 1, with Delegate Barbara Comstock carrying it, and with very little discussion. It now goes on to the House Floor, where EVERYONE in the state can contact their Delegates, giving them a heads up that the bill is on its way, and urging them to support it.

As mentioned previously, Del. Scott Garrett, who is the House Trans Sub 2 Chair, kept his record intact of never* having supported a bill that would help bicyclists or pedestrians, as he cast the lone dissenting vote.

The other bill on the docket that we are supporting did not have such smooth sailing, as Del. Kory’s HB320 which will penalize drivers who pass other drivers that are stopped at a RR Xing or Crosswalk with a Pedestrian in it, was Passed By for the Day, after some questions were raised by Dels. Hugo & Habeeb regarding the severity of the penalty. Although this bill was supported by the representative of the State Police about as strongly as he ever supports a bill, and is not really adding that much to the existing code, Chairman Rust gave the impression that the language needed some further discussion with the State Police. [continue reading…]

From Bud Vye:

Docket is Posted for Trans Sub2 for Monday @ 7 a.m. and I’m thrilled that ALL of the bills we are interested in are listed.

7 a.m. on Monday is not my favorite time of the week, and if all the bills are heard, this could be my last 7 a.m. of this session (until after crossover, when our Senate bills will be here).

HB82/Comstock — Don’t follow bicycles too closely

HB 811/Lopez — Same topic, will probably be conformed with HB82 at this meeting

HB 320/Kory — Don’t pass a vehicle stopped at a RR Crossing or Intersection (“…prohibits a person from overtaking or passing another vehicle stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection when a pedestrian is present.”)

HB277/Krupicka — STOP for a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk

All are listed, so its time to get the calls made to the SubComm members as I requested last night.

Please contact your delegate (use the Who’s My Legislator page) and ask them to support these bills. This is especially important if your delegate is on House Transportation Subcommittee 2, listed below, which meets Monday morning at 7 AM:

• T. Scott Garrett (Chairman, R-Lynchburg)
•  Ronald A. Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach)
• James M. LeMunyo (R-Chantilly) 
• Terry L. Austin (R-Buchanon)
• Scott W. Taylor (R-Virginia Beach)
• Jeion Ward (D-Hampton)
• Betsy B. Carr (D-Richmond)

Again, all that’s needed is a quick note with the bill number and what it’s about. For example:

“I’m _____, a constituent from _____ and I’m asking you to please support _____, _____ and _____.”

Feel free to go into further detail, but please do at least this.

While you’re at it, get two friends to write too!

Please share this with your email lists, and in social media.

SB 97, the Three Foot Passing bill, was reported out of Senate Transportation Committee this afternoon by what appeared to be a unanimous vote except for Sen. Carrico, from far southwest VA, the former State Trooper and long time opponent of anything advancing bicycling safety. It’s possible that there were another nay vote or two, since proxies are used when a member who is present leaves the room, and there is quite a bit of that with this committee, since the Senate Courts of Justice Committee meets right across the hall at exactly the same time, so some members go back and forth if they have a bill over there. We’ll see the official tally, when the results are posted on the Legislative website later today.

In addition to Patty Kruszewski and I, the reps of the Cities of Virginia Beach and Arlington, Champe Burnley on behalf of the Greater Richmond Bicycling Coalition, Tom Bowden on behalf of Bike Virginia, Brantley Tyndall on behalf of SportsBackers, and Janet Brooking on behalf of Drive Smart Virginia all spoke in support of the bill, whose next stop is the Senate Floor.

SB225, the Dooring bill, was passed by until next Wednesday’s Committee meeting at the request of the patron, Sen. Petersen, although I wasn’t clear why. Naturally, I would just as soon have it heard today and perhaps save another trip down there.

SB 139, a bill patroned by Sen. George Barker from Northern VA, to change the use of a cell phone while driving by a Provisional license holder (we used to call that a Learner’s Permit) from a secondary to a primary offense, was also reported out, again with only Sen. Carrico dissenting. Janet Brooking of Drive Smart Virginia & I spoke in support of the bill.

A secondary offense can only be ticketed when the driver is stopped for some other reason, while a primary offense is cause for being ticketed all by itself, so this change, if enacted, will be a significant step against Distracted Driving.

Update: SB 97 “Three Feet” was passed by the full Senate, while SB 225 “Dooring” was postponed to Wed., Jan. 22.

Two important bike bills will be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee tomorrow afternoon, Wed. Jan. 15:

• SB 97 — Three Foot Passing
• SB 225 — Dooring

If your senator is on this committee, please send them a quick note asking them to support these bills. As Champe Burnley says, “…a quick call or a sentence or two with the bill numbers is all you need to do.  Remind them that this is about safety on our roads, transportation choices, and saving lives.”  If you’d like to go into further detail, we’ve posted talking points.

Use the Who’s My Legislator page to find who your senator is.  If they’re on the Transportation Committee, listed below, please send them a note.  Click on their name for contact info.  You can email them or call.

• Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest) Chair
• Sen. Henry Marsh (D-Richmond)
• Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian)
• Sen. Phil Puckett (D-Tazewell)
• Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach)
• Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath)
• Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville)
• Sen. Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke)
• Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke)
• Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach)
• Sen. Chuck Colgan (D-Manassas)
• Sen. Bill Carrico (R-Grayson)
• Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington)Sen. Kenneth C. Alexander (D-Norfolk)

Please share this in social media, and with your mailing lists.