Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted

SB 261 — Towed vehicles; stolen or misused vehicle, police report.

Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0232)

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on March 28, 2024.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 72% · 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.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 7 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

Towed vehicles; stolen or misused vehicle; police report. Requires the owner of a vehicle that was stolen, illegally used, or used without his permission and subsequently subject to a law-enforcement initiated tow to provide the report number and the name of the law-enforcement agency receiving the report that the motor vehicle was stolen, illegally used, or used without his permission to the towing facility where the vehicle is being stored in order to remove the vehicle without paying towing and storage fees.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

53 added · 52 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill SB 261 modifies the rules regarding unattended or immobile vehicles. It clarifies that vehicles weighing less than 75 pounds are not subject to the rules in this section and specifies the conditions under which enforcement officers can remove such vehicles. This change matters because it aims to streamline the process for dealing with potentially hazardous vehicles on roadways, while also providing clarity on weight exemptions to prevent unnecessary towing of lighter vehicles.

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SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-1209 of the Code of Virginia, relating to towed vehicles;
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- 2024 SESSION CHAPTER 232 An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-1209 of the Code of Virginia, relating to towed vehicles;
R O [S 261] Approved L L Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
[S 261] Approved March 28, 2024 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
E § 46.2-1209.
§ 46.2-1209.
D combination thereof that weighs less than 75 pounds.
A.
to any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or B.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination thereof that weighs less than 75 pounds.
No person shall leave any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination thereof immobilized or unattended on or adjacent to any roadway if it constitutes a hazard in the use of the highway.
B.
No person shall leave any immobilized or unattended motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination thereof longer than 24 hours on or adjacent to any roadway outside the corporate limits of any city or town, or on an interstate highway or limited access highway, expressway, or parkway inside the corporate limits of any city or town.
No person shall leave any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination thereof immobilized or unattended on or adjacent to any roadway if it constitutes a hazard in the use of the or combination thereof longer than 24 hours on or adjacent to any roadway outside the corporate limitsart of any city or town, or on an interstate highway or limited access highway, expressway, or parkway inside the corporate limits of any city or town.
Any law-enforcement officer or other uniformedB employee of the local law-enforcement agency who specifically is authorized to do so by the chi6f safekeeping and shall report the removal to the Department and to the owner of the motor vehiclE, trailer, semitrailer, or combination as promptly as possible.
Any law-enforcement officer or other uniformed employee of the local law-enforcement agency who specifically is authorized to do so by the chief law-enforcement officer or his designee may remove it or have it removed to a storage area for safekeeping and shall report the removal to the Department and to the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or combination as promptly as possible.
When a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination of a motor vehicle, trailer, or the theft or used without his authorization, express or implied, it shall be forthwith returned to its owner or the owner's successor in interest, other than an insurance company, who shall be relieved of the payment of any costs charged by the towing operator or storage facility for its daily storage, towing, and recovery fees, provided that the owner removes the vehicle within five business days following the owner's receipt of written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested.
When a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer was stolen or illegally used by a person other than the owner of the vehicle at the time of the theft or used without his authorization, express or implied, it shall be forthwith returned to its owner or the owner's successor in interest, other than an insurance company, who shall be relieved of the payment of any costs charged by the towing operator or storage facility for its daily storage, towing, and recovery fees, provided that the owner removes the vehicle within five business days following the owner's receipt of written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested.
The that the motor vehicle was stolen, illegally used, or used without his permission and produce a valid motor vehicle registration or other proof of ownership to the employees of the facility wherein the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or part or combination thereof is being stored.
The owner shall provide the report number and the name of the law-enforcement agency receiving the report that the motor vehicle was stolen, illegally used, or used without his permission and produce a valid motor vehicle registration or other proof of ownership to the employees of the facility wherein the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or part or combination thereof is being stored.
In all cases where an insurance company is the stolen vehicle owner's successor in interest, the company upon presentation of a valid motor vehicle registration and payment by the insurance companyce to the towing operator or storage facility for its daily storage, towing, and recovery fees.
In all cases where an insurance company is the stolen vehicle owner's successor in interest, the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination thereof shall be released to the insurance company upon presentation of a valid motor vehicle registration and payment by the insurance company to the towing operator or storage facility for its daily storage, towing, and recovery fees.
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Action History

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0232)

  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 232 (effective 7/1/24)

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 8, 2024

  4. Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2024

  5. Signed by President

  6. Signed by Speaker

  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB261ER)

  8. Enrolled

  9. VOTE: Block Vote Passage (97-Y 0-N)

  10. Passed House BLOCK VOTE (97-Y 0-N)

  11. Read third time

  12. Read second time

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

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

  15. Assigned Transportation sub: Innovations (Ad Hoc)

  16. Referred to Committee on Transportation

  17. Read first time

  18. Placed on Calendar

  19. Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)

  20. Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

  21. Printed as engrossed 24101779D-E

  22. Engrossed by Senate as amended SB261E

  23. Committee amendments agreed to

  24. Reading of amendments waived

  25. Read second time

  26. Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

  27. Reported from Transportation with amendments (15-Y 0-N)

  28. Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  29. Referred to Committee on Transportation

  30. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24101779D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 146 →

"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

VOTE: Block Vote Passage (97-Y 0-N)

Passed 96 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 96003
Total 96003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Yea
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Yea
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Yea
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Yea
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Yea
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Yea
Coyner, Carrie E. — Yea
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Not Voting
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Yea
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Yea
Ennis, N. Baxter — Not Voting
Eric Phillips — Yea
Eric R. Zehr — Yea
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Yea
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Yea
Gilbert, C. Todd — Yea
Green, W. Chad — Yea
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Yea
Higgins, Geary — Yea
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Not Voting
Israel D. O'Quinn — Yea
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Yea
James W. Morefield — Yea
Jason S. Ballard — Yea
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Yea
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Yea
Knight, Barry D. — Yea
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Yea
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Yea
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Yea
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Yea
Mike A. Cherry — Yea
Milde, Paul V. — Yea
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Yea
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Yea
Owen, David — Yea
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Yea
R. Lee Ware — Yea
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Yea
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Yea
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Yea
Terry G. Kilgore — Yea
Terry L. Austin — Yea
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Yea
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Yea
Timothy P. Griffin — Yea
Tony O. Wilt — Yea
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Yea
Will Davis — Yea
Wren M. Williams — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Transportation (22-Y 0-N)

Passed 22 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 22000
Total 22000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Yea
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Eric R. Zehr — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Yea
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
Jason S. Ballard — Yea
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Knight, Barry D. — Yea
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Milde, Paul V. — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Yea
Terry L. Austin — Yea
Timothy P. Griffin — Yea
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wren M. Williams — Yea

Official roll call →

Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

Passed 39 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 39001
Total 39001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%3%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Not Voting
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)

Passed 39 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 39001
Total 39001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%3%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Not Voting
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

Passed 39 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 39001
Total 39001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%3%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Not Voting
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Transportation with amendments (15-Y 0-N)

Passed 15 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 15000
Total 15000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety labor
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 261 do?
Towed vehicles; stolen or misused vehicle; police report. Requires the owner of a vehicle that was stolen, illegally used, or used without his permission and subsequently subject to a law-enforcement initiated tow to provide the report number and the name of the law-enforcement agency receiving the report that the motor vehicle was stolen, illegally used, or used without his permission to the towing facility where the vehicle is being stored in order to remove the vehicle without paying towing and storage fees.
Who sponsors SB 261?
SB 261 is sponsored by Bill DeSteph and Christie New Craig.
What is the current status of SB 261?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 261?
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