Virginia 2023 Regular Session Status: Enacted

HB 1457 — Golf carts and utility vehicles; Town of Stony Creek authorized to allow operation on highways.

Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0451)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 22, 2022. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on March 23, 2023.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Failed a recorded vote

    Failed 6 recorded votes so far — a real headwind.

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.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

36 added · 35 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to HB 1457 clarify the regulations for using golf carts and utility vehicles on public highways in Virginia. The updated version requires local governing bodies to formally assess and approve highway usage for these vehicles, ensuring they fit with motor vehicle traffic patterns and safety plans. Additionally, towns without their own police departments, like Stony Creek, are allowed to authorize golf cart operations, which was previously not permitted. These changes aim to create a safer and more organized approach to integrating golf carts into the local transportation system.

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SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-916.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to golf carts and utility vehicles;
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- 2023 SESSION CHAPTER 451 An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-916.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to golf carts and utility vehicles;
R O Approved [H 1457] L Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
[H 1457] Approved March 23, 2023 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
L 1.
1.
E § 46.2-916.2.
§ 46.2-916.2.
D unless the governing body of the county, city, or town in which that portion of the highway is located has reviewed and approved such highway usage.
A.
No portion of the public highways may be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles unless the governing body of the county, city, or town in which that portion of the highway is located has reviewed and approved such highway usage.
The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance authorize the operation of golf carts and utility vehicles on designated public highways within its boundaries after (i) considering the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using such highways and (ii) determining that golf cart and utility vehicle operation on particular highways is compatible with state and local § 33.2-354.ion plans and consistent with the Commonwealth's Statewide Pedestrian Policy provideB for in C.
The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance authorize the operation of the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using such highways and (ii) determining thatng golf cart and utility vehicle operation on particular highways is compatible with state and local transportation plans and consistent with the Commonwealth's Statewide Pedestrian Policy provided for in § 33.2-354.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no town that has not established it4 own police department, as defined in § 9.1-165, may authorize the operation of golf carts or utilit7 vehicles.
C.
The provision of this subsection shall not apply to the Towns of Claremont, Clifton, Dendron, IRvington, Ivor, Jarratt, Saxis, Stony Creek, Urbanna, or Wachapreague.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no town that has not established its own police department, as defined in § 9.1-165, may authorize the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles.
The provision of this subsection shall not apply to the Towns of Claremont, Clifton, Dendron, Irvington, Ivor, Jarratt, Saxis, Stony Creek, Urbanna, or Wachapreague.
No public highway shall be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles if such golf cart andE.
No public highway shall be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles if such golf cart and utility vehicle operations will impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicle traffic.
E.
The cost of installation and continuing the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The cost of installation and continuing maintenance of any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles shall not be paid by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
operation of golf carts or utility vehicles shall not be paid by F.
F.
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Action History

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0451)

  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 451 (effective 7/1/23)

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 27, 2023

  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 2, 2023

  5. Signed by President

  6. Signed by Speaker

  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1457ER)

  8. Enrolled

  9. Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

  10. Read third time

  11. Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

  12. Reported from Transportation (15-Y 0-N)

  13. Referred to Committee on Transportation

  14. Constitutional reading dispensed

  15. VOTE: (100-Y 0-N)

  16. Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (100-Y 0-N)

  17. Read second time and engrossed

  18. Read first time

  19. Reported from Transportation (22-Y 0-N)

  20. Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

  21. Assigned Transportation sub: Subcommittee #3 Highway Safety and Policy

  22. Referred to Committee on Transportation

  23. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/23 23101233D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

transportation
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1457?
HB 1457 is sponsored by H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr..
What is the current status of HB 1457?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 22, 2022. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1457?
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