West Virginia 2025 Regular Session Status: Enacted 5 R cosponsors

HB 2344 — Relating generally to traffic safety

Last action — Chapter 229, Acts, Regular Session, 2025

  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 February 13, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Patrick Morrisey (Republican) on July 31, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 80% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    1 primary, 4 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (5 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

60 added · 50 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill HB 2344 adds clearer requirements for drivers approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning signals, specifically mentioning maintenance vehicles. It specifies that drivers must either change lanes safely or slow down significantly when near these vehicles. These changes aim to enhance road safety for both drivers and workers on the roadside, making it clear what actions are expected to prevent accidents.

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WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION ENGROSSED House Bill 2344 By Delegates J.
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION ENROLLED House Bill 2344 BYD ELEGATES J.
Cannon, Chiarelli, Holstein, Browning, and Eldridge [Introduced February 13, 2025;
ANNON , HIARELL, OLSTEIN, BROWNING ,AND ELDRIDGE [Passed April 12, 2025;
referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works] Eng HB 2344 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17C-1-71;
in effect 90 days from passage (July 11, 2025)] Enr HB 2344 AN ACT to amend and reenact §17C-14-9a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring drivers take certain actions when approaching stationary vehicles that display a warning signal;
and to amend and reenact §17C-14-9a of said code;
providing for fine, confinement, and suspension of driving privileges Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
relating to traffic safety;
creating a definition for the phrase maintenance vehicle;
and listing additional categories of vehicles for which motorists shall slow down and, if possible, move over.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 1.
WORDS AND PHRASES DEFINED.
§17C-1-71.
Maintenance vehicles;
definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the term "maintenance vehicle" means any vehicle in use by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any company performing public service, in the maintenance of public highways or bridges and facilities located within the limits of public highways or bridges.
Approaching authorized emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles or disabled vehicles;
Approaching stationary vehicles;
(a) The driver of any vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, maintenance vehicle, or stationary vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle or maintenance vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, blue, or red and blue lights or amber or yellow or green warning lights, or the stationary vehicle is displaying some type of warning signal, such as emergency flashers, flares or retroreflective signals, shall:
(a) The driver of any vehicle approaching a stationary vehicle, when the stationary vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, blue, or red and blue lights or amber or yellow warning lights, emergency flashers or hazard lights, flares, or retroreflective warning sign shall:
(1) Proceed with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, maintenance vehicle or stationary vehicle, if possible with regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle and reduce speed to a safe level for road conditions;
(1) Proceed with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle, if possible with regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle and reduce speed to a safe level for road conditions;
or Eng HB 2344 (2) Proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour on any nondivided highway or street and 25 miles per hour on any divided highway depending on road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
or (2) Proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour on any nondivided highway or street and 25 miles per hour on any divided highway depending on road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
(b) (1) Any person who violates any subsection of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500 or confined in the county or regional jail not more than 60 days, or both fined and imprisoned confined.
(b) (1) Any person who violates any subsection of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500 or confined in the county or regional jail not more than 60 days, or both fined and confined.
(3) If violation of this section results in injury to another person in addition to any other penalty imposed, the driving privileges of the person causing the injury shall be suspended for six months.
Enr HB 2344 (3) If violation of this section results in injury to another person in addition to any other penalty imposed, the driving privileges of the person causing the injury shall be suspended for six months.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section and while doing so also violates §17C-5-2 of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall, in addition to the penalties set out in §17C-5-2 of this code and this section, be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000, or confined in the county or regional jail for a period not more than six months, or both fined and imprisoned confined.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section and while doing so also violates §17C-5-2 of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall, in addition to the penalties set out in §17C-5-2 of this code and this section, be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000, or confined in jail for a period not more than six months, or both fined and confined.
Enr HB 2344 The Clerk of the House of Delegates and the Clerk of the Senate hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
...............................................................
Clerk of the House of Delegates ...............................................................
Clerk of the Senate Originated in the House of Delegates.
In effect 90 days from passage.
...............................................................
Speaker of the House of Delegates ...............................................................
President of the Senate __________ The within is ................................................
this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2025.
.............................................................
Governor 3
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Action History

  1. Chapter 229, Acts, Regular Session, 2025

  2. Approved by Governor 4/25/2025

  3. To Governor 4/22/2025

  4. Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - Senate Journal

  5. Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - House Journal

  6. Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - House Journal

  7. To Governor 4/22/2025 - Senate Journal

  8. To Governor 4/22/2025 - House Journal

  9. House Message received

  10. Completed legislative action

  11. Communicated to Senate

  12. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 586)

  13. House received Senate message

  14. Senate requests House to concur

  15. Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 471)

  16. Read 3rd time

  17. On 3rd reading

  18. Having been read 2nd time on 4/9/2025

  19. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  20. Laid over on 2nd reading 4/9/2025, com. amend pending

  21. Committee Amendment Reported

  22. Read 2nd time

  23. On 2nd reading

  24. Read 1st time

  25. Immediate consideration

  26. 2nd reference dispensed

  27. Reported do pass with amend and title amend but first to Judiciary

  28. To Transportation and Infrastructure

  29. To Transportation and Infrastructure then Judiciary

  30. Introduced in Senate

  31. Communicated to Senate

  32. Passed House (Roll No. 17)

  33. Read 3rd time

  34. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  35. Read 2nd time

  36. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  37. Read 1st time

  38. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

  39. Do pass

  40. Markup Discussion

  41. To House Energy and Public Works

  42. Introduced in House

  43. To Energy and Public Works

  44. Filed for introduction

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on · 16 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 147 →

"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

PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB

Passed 74 Yea · 18 Nay · 8 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 71806
Unaffiliated 3201
Democrat 0801
Total 741808
% of votes cast 74%18%0%8%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Devault — Yea
Linville — Yea
Steele — Nay
Kump — Nay
Flanigan — Not Voting
Clark, T — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Nay
Evan Hansen Democrat Nay
Hollis Lewis Democrat Nay
John Williams Democrat Nay
Kayla Young Democrat Nay
Mike Pushkin Democrat Not Voting
Rick Garcia Democrat Nay
Sean Hornbuckle Democrat Nay
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Nay
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Nay
Andy Shamblin Republican Yea
Betsy Kelly Republican Yea
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Yea
Bryan Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Ward Republican Nay
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Nay
Chuck Horst Republican Nay
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Nay
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Yea
David Cannon Republican Yea
David Green Republican Not Voting
David McCormick Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Doug Smith Republican Yea
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Yea
Eric Brooks Republican Yea
Erica Moore Republican Yea
Evan Worrell Republican Not Voting
Gary G. Howell Republican Yea
Geno Chiarelli Republican Yea
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Not Voting
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Nay
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Yea
Jarred Cannon Republican Yea
Jeff Campbell Republican Yea
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Joe Ellington Republican Yea
Joe Funkhouser Republican Yea
Joe Parsons Republican Yea
Joe Statler Republican Yea
John Paul Hott Republican Yea
Jonathan Kyle Republican Yea
Jonathan Pinson Republican Yea
Jordan Bridges Republican Nay
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Nay
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Not Voting
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Yea
Pat McGeehan Republican Not Voting
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Yea
Ray Canterbury Republican Yea
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Yea
Roy Cooper Republican Yea
Ryan Browning Republican Yea
S. Chris Anders Republican Not Voting
Sarah Drennan Republican Yea
Scot C. Heckert Republican Yea
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Yea
Tristan Leavitt Republican Yea
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passage

Passed 34 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 29000
Unaffiliated 3000
Democrat 2000
Total 34000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (34)
Member Party Vote
STUART — Yea
BOLEY — Yea
MR PRESIDENT — Yea
Joey Garcia Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Amy Grady Republican Yea
Anne B. Charnock Republican Yea
Ben Queen Republican Yea
Bill Hamilton Republican Yea
Brian Helton Republican Yea
Charles H. Clements Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Craig A. Hart Republican Yea
Darren Thorne Republican Yea
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Glenn Jeffries Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jason Barrett Republican Yea
Jay Taylor Republican Yea
Laura Wakim Chapman Republican Yea
Mark R. Maynard Republican Yea
Mike Azinger Republican Yea
Mike Oliverio Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Patrick Martin Republican Yea
Robbie Morris Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Scott Fuller Republican Yea
T. Kevan Bartlett Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Willis Republican Yea
Vince Deeds Republican Yea

Official roll call →

PASSAGE

Passed 98 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 84001
Democrat 8001
Unaffiliated 6000
Total 98002
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Kump — Yea
Flanigan — Yea
Linville — Yea
Steele — Yea
Devault — Yea
Clark, T — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Evan Hansen Democrat Yea
Hollis Lewis Democrat Yea
John Williams Democrat Yea
Kayla Young Democrat Yea
Mike Pushkin Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Sean Hornbuckle Democrat Yea
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Not Voting
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Yea
Andy Shamblin Republican Yea
Betsy Kelly Republican Yea
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Yea
Bryan Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Ward Republican Yea
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Yea
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Yea
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Yea
David Cannon Republican Yea
David Green Republican Yea
David McCormick Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Doug Smith Republican Yea
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Yea
Eric Brooks Republican Yea
Erica Moore Republican Yea
Evan Worrell Republican Yea
Gary G. Howell Republican Yea
Geno Chiarelli Republican Yea
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Yea
Jarred Cannon Republican Yea
Jeff Campbell Republican Yea
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Joe Ellington Republican Yea
Joe Funkhouser Republican Yea
Joe Parsons Republican Yea
Joe Statler Republican Yea
John Paul Hott Republican Yea
Jonathan Kyle Republican Yea
Jonathan Pinson Republican Yea
Jordan Bridges Republican Not Voting
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Yea
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Yea
Pat McGeehan Republican Yea
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Yea
Ray Canterbury Republican Yea
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Yea
Roy Cooper Republican Yea
Ryan Browning Republican Yea
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Yea
Scot C. Heckert Republican Yea
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Yea
Tristan Leavitt Republican Yea
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety transportation
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2344?
HB 2344 is sponsored by Jarred Cannon (Republican), Geno Chiarelli (Republican), Josh Holstein (Republican), Ryan Browning (Republican), and Jeff Eldridge (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 2344?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 13, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 2344?
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