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Committee releases bill penalizing drivers who leave snow or ice on vehicles
Summary
S.B. 233, carrying civil penalties for failure to remove accumulated snow or ice from vehicles and larger penalties when dislodged ice causes injury or damage, was released from committee after sponsor testimony and a roll‑call vote.
The committee released S.B. 233, which would require drivers to remove accumulated snow and ice from their vehicles and establish civil penalties for violations.
The presenter said the Senate passed the bill unanimously and that the measure creates a civil penalty range of $25 to $75 for ordinary violations; if dislodged snow or ice causes property damage or physical injury, the bill sets higher civil penalties for drivers, and it excludes motor‑vehicle points from such penalties.
A Senate amendment exempts farm tractors and farm vehicles. The sponsor said the bill responds to last winter’s crashes and injuries attributed to falling ice and snow. With no members or members of the public registered to oppose in committee, the panel moved to release the bill and the motion carried on roll call.
The sponsor emphasized public‑safety rationale and noted prior unsuccessful attempts to pass related measures; the bill would create a civil‑penalty enforcement mechanism without adding motor‑vehicle points.
