Bill Text: VA SB700 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Highway construction; effect of sea-level rise on projects.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-03 - Failed to report (defeated) in Transportation (6-Y 7-N) [SB700 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-SB700-Introduced.html

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16103985D
SENATE BILL NO. 700 Offered January 21, 2016 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 33.2-253.1, relating to incorporating consideration of sea-level rise during construction of highways. ---------- Patron-- Miller ---------- Referred to Committee on Transportation ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 33.2-253.1 as follows:

§33.2-253.1. Construction of highways; incorporating sea-level rise.

A. The Commissioner shall determine the effects of sea-level rise on the programming and design of highway construction projects in Planning Districts 22 and 23. Such consideration shall include the following factors and how each would be affected by sea-level rise: (i) project design life; (ii) alternative routes; (iii) anticipated travel delays; (iv) evacuation and emergency response times; (v) traveler safety; (vi) expenditure of public funds; (vii) scope of the project; (viii) interconnectivity issues; and (ix) environmental constraints.

B. The Commissioner shall make such determination at least 60 days prior to final project approval, the expenditure of funds on such project, or the first public hearing on such project, whichever occurs first. Such determination shall be in writing and shall be sent to the chief executive officer of the locality where the project is located and made available to the public on such locality's website and on the Department's website.