HB1284: Distribution of handbills, etc., on highways; gives local government power to regulate and prohibit.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That ? 46.2-931 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
? 46.2-931. Localities may prohibit or regulate distribution of handbills, etc., solicitation of contributions, and sale of merchandise on highways within their boundaries.
A. Arlington,
Hanover, Henrico, and Spotsylvania Counties, the Cities of Falls Church and
Richmond, and the Town of Vienna are Any county, city, or town is
hereby authorized to adopt ordinances prohibiting or regulating:
1. The distribution of handbills, leaflets, bulletins,
literature, advertisements, or similar material to the occupants of motor
vehicles on highways located within their its boundaries;
2. The solicitation of contributions of any nature from the
occupants of motor vehicles on highways located within their its
boundaries; and
3. The sale of merchandise or the attempted sale of
merchandise to the occupants of motor vehicles on highways located within their its boundaries.
B. Albemarle, Greene,
Hanover, Loudoun, and Spotsylvania Counties and the Cities of Falls Church and
Richmond are Any county, city,
or town is hereby authorized to adopt ordinances
regulating:
1. The distribution of handbills, leaflets, bulletins, literature, advertisements, or similar material to the occupants of motor vehicles on public roadways and medians;
2. The solicitation of contributions of any nature from the occupants of motor vehicles on public roadways and medians; and
3. The sale of merchandise or the attempted sale of merchandise to the occupants of motor vehicles on public roadways and medians.
C. Ordinances adopted pursuant to this section may provide that any person violating the provisions of such ordinances shall be guilty of a traffic infraction.
D. The Virginia Department of Transportation may regulate activities within such streets and highways under its jurisdiction, subject to regulations promulgated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow any locality to permit activities within any highway under the maintenance and operational jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Transportation.