Senate Adopts Conference Report on S.309; Tinted-window enforcement and 4-foot passing rule included

The Senate accepted and adopted the conference committee report on S.309, a bill making miscellaneous changes related to the Department of Motor Vehicles, motor vehicles and vessels.

A conference committee member summarized negotiated changes that the Senate approved on the floor. Key points reported included: an enforcement clarification for tinted windows (the floor summary said: starting July 26, windows tinted above a specified threshold will fail inspection), a clarification allowing certain non-flashing motorcycle lights, maintenance of a fire-extinguisher minimum on vessels, and a new four-foot passing requirement for motorists passing vulnerable users such as bicyclists and pedestrians with an associated civil penalty (the floor summary described a $200 civil penalty if the rule is violated).

The Senate voted in favor of accepting the conference report and then suspended its rules to message the action to the House.

Next steps: House concurrence and signature/enrollment processes as appropriate for conference-reported legislation.