Virginia Tort Claims Act; electronic filing when notice filed with Department of Transportation. (SB240)

Introduced By

Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Virginia Tort Claims Act; notice of claim; electronic filing when notice filed with Department of Transportation. Allows for the electronic filing of tort claims when a filing is made with the Department of Transportation. Read the Bill »

Status

03/03/2016: Passed the General Assembly

History

DateAction
01/06/2016Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16100974D
01/06/2016Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/18/2016Reported from Courts of Justice (14-Y 1-N) (see vote tally)
01/19/2016Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/20/2016Read second time and engrossed
01/21/2016Read third time and passed Senate (37-Y 2-N) (see vote tally)
02/03/2016Placed on Calendar
02/03/2016Read first time
02/03/2016Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/16/2016Assigned App. sub: Civil Law
02/16/2016Assigned Courts sub: Civil Law
02/17/2016Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
02/24/2016Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/25/2016Read second time
02/26/2016Read third time
02/26/2016Passed House BLOCK VOTE (97-Y 0-N)
02/26/2016VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (97-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/29/2016Enrolled
02/29/2016Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB240ER)
02/29/2016Signed by Speaker
03/03/2016Signed by President
03/04/2016Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on 3/4/16
03/04/2016G Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, March 11, 2016
03/11/2016Governor's recommendation received by Senate

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 2 clips in all, totaling 3 minutes.

Transcript

This is a transcript of the video clips in which this bill is discussed.

THERE WAS A DISCOVERY THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME DIFFICULTY IN MAKING SURE THAT VDOT'S SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THE TYPE OF FILING THAT WAS OCCURRING. AS A RESULT, THE GOVERNOR PUT ON A COUPLE OF AMENDMENTS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR CITIZENS TO FILE FIRST AGAINST VDOT AND THEN VDOT WOULD DIRECT IT TO THE APPROPRIATE PARTY TO DEAL WITH POSSIBLE SETTLEMENT OR DEFENDING A LAWSUIT. I HOPE IT WOULD BE THE PLEASURE OF THE BODY TO ADOPT THE GOVERNOR'S AMENDMENTS.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): Speaker: SHALL THE HOUSE AGREE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GOVERNOR? [ BELL ]


Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke): 240 HAS BEEN AMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR. THIS BILL ALLOWS ELECTRONIC NOTICE UNDER THE VIRGINIA TORT CLAIMS ACT FOR CLAIMS FILED AGAINST VDOT. THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PROVIDES IN CASES WHERE THE SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY IS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL INTERNALLY VDOT HAS ARRANGEMENTS WHERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN HANDLE THE MATTER. THIS TRIES TO SIMPLIFY, A BETTER READING AND BETTER WORDING OF THE BILL. THE GOVERNOR AMEND THE LEDGE EXPECTATIONS TO PROVIDE THAT ALE ALL MEANS MUST BE SERVED THROUGH ELECTRONIC MEANS OR ANY OTHER MEANS HAVE, IF IT IS SERVED ON VDOT, VDOT WILL DECIDE INTERNALLY WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS THE AUTHORITY OR NOT AND THE LITIGANT DOES NOT HAVE TO DO THE RESEARCH TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY. THIS SIMPLY, MR. PRESIDENT, IS A ONE STOP METHOD FOR CITIZENS WITH A CLAIM AGAINST VDOT AND SIMPLIFIES THINGS FOR EVERYONE AND I URGE THAT THE BODY APPROVE THE GOVERNOR'S AMENDMENT. THE QUESTION IS SHALL THE GOVERNOR'S AMENDMENT BE AGREED TO. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION WILLO HAVE ALL THE SENATORS VOTED? DO ANY SENATORS DESIRE TO CH ANGE THEIR VOTE? AYES 39, NOS 0.

[Unknown]: THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AGREED TO.

Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke): SENATE BILL 246.

[Unknown]: THE SENATOR FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY, SENATOR STANLEY.