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MINUTES OF THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION
STANDING COMMITTEE
Room 450 State Capitol

February 23, 2012

MEMBERS PRESENT:        Rep. Bradley M. Daw, Chair
                    Rep. Johnny Anderson, Vice Chair
                    Rep. Stewart E. Barlow
                    Rep. Janice M. Fisher            
                    Rep. Stephen G. Handy                
                    Rep. Lynn N. Hemingway
                    Rep. Todd E. Kiser                
                    Rep. Carol Spackman Moss
                    Rep. Jim Nielson
                    Rep. Jeremy A. Peterson
                    Rep. Val L. Peterson                    

MEMBERS EXCUSED:        Rep. Wayne A. Harper
    
MEMBERS ABSENT:        Rep. Bradley G. Last
                    Rep. Kenneth Sumsion
                    
STAFF PRESENT:            Mr. Leif Elder, Policy Analyst
                    Ms. Karen Mitchell, Committee Secretary

Note: A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes .

Chair Daw called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.

MOTION:    Rep. Hemingway moved to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2012 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Barlow, Rep. Jeremy Peterson, and Rep. Anderson absent for the vote.

S.B. 102    Amendments to Off-highway Vehicle Provisions (Sen. S. Jenkins) (Rep. B. Galvez)

Sen. Jenkins introduced the bill to the committee.

Spoke for the bill:    Mr. Eric Stucki, Utah State Parks
            Mr. Dave Copeland, Polaris Industries

MOTION:    Rep. Anderson moved to pass S.B 102 out favorably. The motion passed with Rep. Hemingway voting in opposition. Rep. Jeremy Peterson was absent for the vote.



1st Sub. H.B. 327    Operation of Bicycles on Highways (Rep. J. Anderson)

Rep. Anderson introduced the bill to the committee.

Spoke to the bill:    Mr. Bruce Jones, Utah Transit Authority

MOTION:    Rep. Handy moved to amend the bill as follows:


1.    Page 1, Lines 13 through 15 :    

             13          .    provides that
{   the operator of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle facing a steady

             14      circular red or red arrow signal may cautiously enter the intersection to proceed
             15      straight through, turn right, or turn left under certain circumstances  
}
  when installing or replacing a signal detection device at an intersection, the Department of Transportation shall consider detection of motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles       ;


2.    Page 20, Lines 597 through 613 :    

             597          
{   (7) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the operator of a motorcycle,

             598      moped, or bicycle facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal may cautiously enter the
             599      intersection to proceed straight through, turn right, or turn left if:
             600          (i) the operator brings the motorcycle, moped, or bicycle to a complete stop at a clearly
             601      marked stop line, but if none, before entering the marked or unmarked crosswalk on the near
             602      side of the intersection;
             603          (ii) the operator determines that the traffic-control signal has not detected the operator's
             604      presence by waiting for a minimum of 90 seconds at the intersection;
             605          (iii) the movement can be made without crossing a railroad track that is in or adjacent
             606      to the intersection; and
             607          (iv) no traffic other than a bicycle, moped, or motorcycle is present at the intersection
             608      in the direction of travel of the operator.


             609          (b) The operator of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle proceeding through an intersection
             610      in accordance with Subsection (7)(a) shall yield the right-of-way to a:
             611          (i) vehicle moving through the intersection in accordance with an official
             612      traffic-control signal; or
             613          (ii) pedestrian lawfully crossing an adjacent crosswalk.  
}
 

    (7) When installing or replacing a signal detection device at an intersection, the Department of Transportation shall consider detection of motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles.  


The motion failed with Rep. Barlow, Rep. Handy, Rep. Hemingway, Rep. Kiser, and Rep. Val Peterson voting in favor of the motion.

MOTION:    Rep. Kiser moved to amend the bill as follows:


1.    Page 1, Lines 21 through 23 :    

             21          
{   .    provides that on a roadway divided into three or more lanes and providing for

             22      two-way movement of traffic, a person operating a vehicle may drive in the center
             23      under certain circumstances;  
}


2.    Page 23, Lines 696 through 701 :    

             696          
{   (d) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(b)(i), on a roadway divided into three or more

             697      lanes and providing for two-way movement of traffic, a person operating a vehicle may drive in
             698      the center lane when:
             699          (i) the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance; and
             700          (ii) overtaking and passing a bicycle or moped moving at less than the reasonable
             701      speed of traffic then present.  
}


The motion failed with Rep. Barlow, Rep. Hemingway, Rep. Kiser, Rep. Moss, and Rep. Val Peterson voting in favor of the motion.


MOTION:    Rep. Kiser moved to amend the bill as follows:


1.    Page 1, Lines 16 through 20 :    

             16          
{   .    provides that a person may operate a vehicle to the left of center of the roadway,

             17      including in a no-passing zone, when a bicycle or moped proceeding in the same
             18      direction at a speed less than the reasonable speed of traffic then present requires
             19      operating the vehicle to the left of the center of the roadway except under certain
             20      circumstances;  
}


2.    Page 2, Lines 43 through 52 :    

             43      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             44      AMENDS:
             45          13-20-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 175
             46          13-35-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 86
             47          41-1a-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 36
             48          41-6a-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 311
             49          41-6a-305, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
             50          
{   41-6a-701, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2

             51          41-6a-708, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2  
}

             52          41-6a-710, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 292

3.    Page 20, Line 614 through Page 22, Line 661 :    

             614          
{   Section 6. Section 41-6a-701 is amended to read:

             615          41-6a-701. Duty to operate vehicle on right side of roadway -- Exceptions.
             616          (1) On all roadways of sufficient width, a person operating a vehicle shall operate the
             617      vehicle on the right half of the roadway, except:
             618          (a) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction
             619      under the rules governing that movement;
             620          (b) when an obstruction requires operating the vehicle to the left of the center of the
             621      roadway subject to the provisions of Subsection (2);
             622          (c) when overtaking and passing a bicycle or moped proceeding in the same

direction
             623      at a speed less than the reasonable speed of traffic then present requires operating the vehicle to
             624      the left of the center of the roadway subject to the provisions of Subsection (2);
             625          [(c)] (d) on a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the applicable
             626      rules; or
             627          [(d)] (e) on a roadway designed and signposted for one-way traffic.
             628          (2) (a) A person operating a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle:
             629          [(a)] (i) traveling in the proper direction on a roadway; and
             630          [(b)] (ii) that is within a distance constituting an immediate hazard.
             631          (b) When overtaking and passing a bicycle or moped under Subsection (1)(c), a person
             632      operating a vehicle shall not pass a bicycle or moped proceeding in the same direction if the
             633      pass cannot be made safely, including under any of the following conditions:
             634          (i) when approaching or upon the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway
             635      where the operator's view is in any way obstructed;
             636          (ii) when approaching within 100 feet of, or traversing, any intersection or railroad
             637      grade crossing unless otherwise indicated by official traffic control devices;
             638          (iii) when the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge,
             639      viaduct or tunnel; or
             640          (iv) when the pass cannot be made in accordance with Section 41-6a-706.5 .
             641          (3) A person operating a vehicle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic
             642      shall operate the vehicle in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as
             643      practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when:
             644          (a) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
             645          (b) preparing to turn left; or
             646          (c) taking a different highway or an exit on the left.
             647          Section 7. Section 41-6a-708 is amended to read:


             648          41-6a-708. Signs and markings on roadway -- No-passing zones -- Exceptions.
             649          (1) (a) A highway authority may designate no-passing zones on any portion of a
             650      highway under its jurisdiction if the highway authority determines passing is especially
             651      hazardous.
             652          (b) A highway authority shall designate a no-passing zone under Subsection (1)(a) by
             653      placing appropriate traffic-control devices on the highway.
             654          (2) A person operating a vehicle may not drive on the left side of:
             655          (a) the roadway within the no-passing zone; or
             656          (b) any pavement striping designed to mark the no-passing zone.
             657          (3) Subsection (2) does not apply:
             658          (a) under the conditions described under [Subsection] Subsections 41-6a-701 (1)(b) and
             659      (c); or
             660          (b) to a person operating a vehicle turning left onto or from an alley, private road, or
             661      driveway.  
}


Renumber remaining sections accordingly.

The motion passed with Rep. Barlow, Rep. Daw, Rep. Moss, and Rep. Nielson voting in opposition.

MOTION:    Rep. Kiser moved to amend the bill as follows:


1.    Page 22, Lines 665 through 671 :    

             665          (1) For the purposes of this section, "bicycle lane" means a portion of the roadway that
             666      has been designated for the preferential or exclusive use of bicyclists by:
             667          (a) a highway authority; and
             668          (b)
{   one or a combination of the following:   }        longitudinal pavement striping.      

             669          
{   (i) striping;

             670          (ii) pavement markings; or
             671          (iii) a traffic control device.  
}


The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION:    Rep. Jeremy Peterson moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 327 out favorably. The motion failed with Rep. Anderson, Rep. Daw, Rep. Handy, Rep. Nielson, and Rep. Jeremy Peterson voting in favor of the bill.

MOTION:    Rep. Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Daw adjourned the meeting at 9:49 a.m.







                                                                         ___________________________________
                            Rep. Bradley M. Daw, Chair