Committee votes on a package of transportation bills; several pass to calendar or finance

NASHVILLE — In a full meeting the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee considered a broad agenda and approved multiple measures that it sent to the calendar or to finance for further review.

Key outcomes:
- SB 18‑80 (codify Office of Homeland Security): Sponsor said the measure places the office under statute and General Assembly oversight; passed and goes to calendar.
- SB 17‑48 (commercial driver English standard): The bill mirrors federal requirements for CDL holders and passed the committee (8–1) to calendar.
- SB 18‑08 (boat titling): Creates a titling process for boats to deter theft and fund abandoned‑boat removal; passed to finance/ways and means (8–1). Sponsor said a $25 fee would fund clerks and TWRA programs.
- SB 19‑13 (vehicle impound for suspected drag‑racing): Allows post‑certified officers to impound suspected drag‑racing vehicles with expedited hearings; passed to calendar.
- SB 22‑53 (automated/driverless vehicle enforcement): Establishes a process to issue moving‑violation citations to corporate owners of driverless vehicles; passed to calendar.
- SB 25‑29 (signage for adult‑size changing tables) and SB 2003 (family restrooms at rest stops): Both passed (voice votes) and will proceed to calendar or finance as noted.

Votes were recorded on the floor for each measure as the clerk took the roll for the committee's voice votes. Several bills included adopted amendments that sponsors said clarified scope or moved implementation detail to other committees.

What happens next: Bills that were sent to calendar may be scheduled for floor consideration; measures referred to finance will receive fiscal review before further action.