Removal of dangerous roadside vegetation; local option.
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SB 225 — Removal of dangerous roadside vegetation; local option.
Last action — Approved by Governor-Chapter 963 (effective 7/1/20)
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House of Delegates
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 31, 2019. Enacted.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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4 sponsors
1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.
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Mixed recorded votes
9 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Summary
Removal of dangerous roadside conditions; local option. Authorizes any locality, by ordinance, to require the owner of any property located adjacent to a right-of-way maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation to remove any and all trees, tree limbs, shrubs, high grass, or other substance that might dangerously obstruct the line of sight of a driver, be involved in a collision with a vehicle, or interfere with the safe operation of a vehicle. This bill is identical to HB 284.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
5 added · 5 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill SB 225 clarifies the language regarding the responsibilities of local government in managing overgrown vegetation that could obstruct vehicle operations. Specifically, the updated text emphasizes the need for local governments to remove potentially hazardous trees, shrubs, and grass. This change matters because it helps ensure safer driving conditions by holding local authorities accountable for maintaining clear roadways.
SESSION history | hilite | pdf | print version VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER 963 An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2011 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2009.1, relating to removal of dangerous roadside vegetation;
[S 225] Approved April 9, 2020 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of § 15.2-2000, any locality may, by ordinance, provide that the owner of any property adjacent to the right-of-way of any street, highway, road, alley, bridge, viaduct, subway, underpass, or other public right-of-way or place shall, at such time or times as the governing body may prescribe, remove therefrom any and all trees, tree limbs, shrubs, high grass, or other substance that might dangerously obstruct the line of sight of a driver, be involved in a collision with a vehicle, or interfere with the safe operation of a vehicle;vehicle or may, whenever the governing body deems it necessary, after reasonable notice as defined in subdivision 2 of § 15.2-906, have such trees, shrubs, high grass, and other like substances removed by its own agents or employees.
or may, whenever the governing body deems it necessary, after reasonable notice as defined in subdivision 2 of § 15.2-906, have such trees, shrubs, high grass, and other like substances removed by its own agents or employees.
View plain text versions (4)
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0963) View text Current html April 09, 2020
- Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB225ER) View text html March 18, 2020
- Amended Engrossed by Senate as amended SB225E html January 15, 2020
- Amended Engrossed by Senate as amended SB225E html December 31, 2019
Action History
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Approved by Governor-Chapter 963 (effective 7/1/20)
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Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2020
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Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 20, 2020
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Impact statement from DPB (SB225ER)
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Signed by Speaker
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Signed by President
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Enrolled
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Conference report agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N)
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VOTE: Adoption (78-Y 19-N)
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Conference report agreed to by House (78-Y 19-N)
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Amended by conference committee
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Conferees appointed by House
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Conferees appointed by Senate
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Senate acceded to request (40-Y 0-N)
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House requested conference committee
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House insisted on amendments
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House amendments rejected by Senate (2-Y 38-N)
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Passed by for the day
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VOTE: Passage (82-Y 17-N)
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Passed House with amendments (82-Y 17-N)
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Engrossed by House as amended
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Committee amendments agreed to
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Read third time
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Read second time
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Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendments (20-Y 2-N)
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House committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered
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Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (7-Y 1-N)
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Assigned CC & T sub: Land Use
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Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
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Read first time
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Placed on Calendar
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Impact statement from DPB (SB225E)
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Read third time and passed Senate (37-Y 3-N)
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Printed as engrossed 20100283D-E
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Engrossed by Senate as amended SB225E
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Amendment by Senator Stuart agreed to
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Reading of amendment waived
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Read second time
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Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
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Reported from Local Government (10-Y 0-N 3-A)
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Referred to Committee on Local Government
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Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20100283D
Sponsors
- Richard H. Stuart · Primary
- Joshua G. Cole · Cosponsor
- Mark L. Cole · Cosponsor
- Jill Holtzman Vogel · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 144 not signed on · 53 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Richard H. Stuart Voted No
Co-sponsors (3)
Not signed on (144)
144 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 144 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 77 | 19 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 77 | 19 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 78% | 19% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 2 | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 5% | 95% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 81 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 81 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 82% | 17% | 0% | 1% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 91% | 9% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (22)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Askew, Alex Q. | — | Yea |
| Campbell, Jeffrey L. | — | Yea |
| Carter, Lee J. | — | Yea |
| Coyner, Carrie E. | — | Yea |
| Danica A. Roem | — | Yea |
| Gooditis, Wendy W. | — | Yea |
| Guy, Nancy D. | — | Yea |
| Heretick, Steve E. | — | Yea |
| James A. "Jay" Leftwich | — | Yea |
| James W. Morefield | — | Nay |
| Jenkins, Clinton L. | — | Yea |
| Jones, Jerrauld C. "Jay" | — | Yea |
| Joseph P. McNamara | — | Yea |
| Kory, Kaye | — | Yea |
| LaRock, Dave A. | — | Yea |
| M. Keith Hodges | — | Yea |
| Mugler, Martha M. | — | Yea |
| Murphy, Kathleen | — | Yea |
| Poindexter, Charles D. | — | Nay |
| Samirah, Ibraheem S. | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Wyatt | — | Yea |
| Subramanyam, Suhas | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 78% | 11% | 0% | 11% |
How each member voted (9)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Askew, Alex Q. | — | Yea |
| Coyner, Carrie E. | — | Yea |
| Guy, Nancy D. | — | Yea |
| Heretick, Steve E. | — | Yea |
| James A. "Jay" Leftwich | — | Yea |
| James W. Morefield | — | Nay |
| Jones, Jerrauld C. "Jay" | — | Yea |
| Kory, Kaye | — | Not Voting |
| Mugler, Martha M. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 37 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 93% | 8% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Nay |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Nay |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| Adam P. Ebbin | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Barker, George L. | — | Yea |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Chafin, A. Benton "Ben" | — | Yea |
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Yea |
| Cosgrove, John A., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Dunnavant, Siobhan S. | — | Yea |
| Edwards, John S. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Mason, T. Montgomery "Monty" | — | Yea |
| McClellan, Jennifer L. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Yea |
| Newman, Stephen D. | — | Yea |
| Norment, Thomas K., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Petersen, J. Chapman | — | Yea |
| Ruff, Frank M., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Saslaw, Richard L. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Vogel, Jill Holtzman | — | Yea |
| Adam P. Ebbin | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Not Voting |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 77% | 0% | 0% | 23% |
How each member voted (13)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Chase, Amanda F. | — | Not Voting |
| Bell, John J. | — | Yea |
| Hanger, Emmett W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Spruill, Lionell, Sr. | — | Yea |
| Morrissey, Joseph D. | — | Not Voting |
| Kiggans, Jennifer A. | — | Yea |
| Howell, Janet D. | — | Yea |
| Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Ghazala F. Hashmi | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Not Voting |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 225 do?
- Removal of dangerous roadside conditions; local option. Authorizes any locality, by ordinance, to require the owner of any property located adjacent to a right-of-way maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation to remove any and all trees, tree limbs, shrubs, high grass, or other substance that might dangerously obstruct the line of sight of a driver, be involved in a collision with a vehicle, or interfere with the safe operation of a vehicle. This bill is identical to HB 284.
- Who sponsors SB 225?
- SB 225 is sponsored by Richard H. Stuart, Joshua G. Cole, Cole, Mark L., and Vogel, Jill Holtzman.
- What is the current status of SB 225?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 31, 2019. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 225?
- Track SB 225 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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