SB 435 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Lane filtering; motorcycles, penalty, delayed effective date.

Summary
Lane filtering; motorcycles; penalty. Authorizes the operator of a two-wheeled motorcycle to pass another vehicle that is stopped or traveling at no more than 10 miles per hour in the same lane or on the shoulder, provided that there are at least two lanes of travel in each direction, such motorcycle does not exceed a speed of 20 miles per hour, and the operator executes such passing with ordinary care. The bill makes intentionally impeding or attempting to impede the operator of a motorcycle from lawfully engaging in lane filtering a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $300. The bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to implement a statewide education campaign to alert drivers and the public that motorcycles may lawfully engage in lane filtering. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 2 edits · Jan 28, 2026
MINOR
The bill moved from introduction to engrossed status with minor formatting adjustments and one substantive change. The main policy modification adds language requiring safe operation with ordinary care when performing lane filtering, while the bill's core provisions regarding motorcycle lane filtering remain largely unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains the same - it still authorizes motorcycles to filter through traffic under specific conditions, but now includes an additional safety requirement in the operational conditions.
REQUIREMENT

Added language requiring that lane filtering be performed 'with ordinary care' in addition to the existing requirement that it be performed safely, making the safety standard more explicit.

TECHNICAL

The bill underwent standard formatting changes from introduction to engrossed status, including layout adjustments and addition of Senate amendment dates and tracking numbers.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 26, 2026

How they voted

370
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 39
Jan 26, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
17 Yea 2
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (8-Y 0-N 1-A)
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Assigned HTRAN sub: Highway Safety and Policy
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (32-Y 8-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Transportation Amendment agreed to
upper
Jan 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Jan 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Transportation with amendment (12-Y 3-N)
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Transportation
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Lamont Bagby
Lamont Bagby
DDemocratic
VA
14