Transportation panel adopts DMV electronic‑titling amendment and advances cyclist‑yield bill

The Senate Transportation Committee voted to adopt a subcommittee amendment to House Bill 3,856, a DMV technical cleanup measure that subcommittee members said would establish an electronic titling format and modernize administrative language. The committee then voted to give the bill a favorable report to the full Senate.

Subcommittee chair Senator Verdin told members the amendment reflects extensive stakeholder negotiation involving the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Automobile Dealers Association and said the changes are largely technical cleanup and modernization to enable electronic titling.

Later in the meeting the committee took up Senate Bill 812, which the subcommittee reported favorably with amendments after receiving testimony from Reagan Freeman of Palmetto Walk Bike. Research assistant Logan summarized the bill and said it would amend state code (cited in testimony as 56‑5‑970 and by adding 56‑5‑3530) to allow a cyclist to stop and yield at a red light or stop sign and proceed cautiously when safe — a change often called an "Idaho stop." The committee adopted a technical amendment recommended by the subcommittee and then voted to report the bill favorably as amended.

Votes at a glance:
- H.B. 3,856 (DMV cleanup/electronic titling): committee adopted subcommittee amendment and reported favorably by voice vote.
- S.B. 812 (cyclist yield/stop rule): committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended by voice vote.

What happens next: Both bills will proceed to the Senate floor for further consideration; the committee record lists the amendments adopted and favorable reports forwarded to the Clerk.