VirginiaHB8192026 Regular SessionHouse

Pedestrians; walking on roadways that are part of divided highways.

Sponsored By: Betsy B. Carr (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Pedestrians; walking on roadways that are part of divided highways. Permits pedestrians, when walking on a roadway that is part of a highway divided by a physical barrier or barriers or an unpaved area, and when there are no shoulders of the highway present, to keep to the extreme right side or edge of the roadway, regardless of the direction of traffic they face. Under current law, pedestrians, when permitted to walk on a roadway, are required to keep to the extreme left side or edge thereof. The bill also clarifies current law, which requires pedestrians walking on a roadway to face oncoming traffic.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New Virginia rules for walking on roads

The law limits when you can walk in the roadway. Use the sidewalk if it is reasonably suitable and passable. If you must walk on the road, stay at the extreme left edge, or use a shoulder if it is wide enough. You must face oncoming traffic. On divided highways with no shoulders, you may keep to the extreme right edge, no matter which way you face.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Betsy B. Carr

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 209 • No: 11

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Transportation

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 88 • No: 10

House vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Transportation

Yes: 20 • No: 1

House vote 1/28/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0431)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 431 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB819)

    3/11/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB819ER)

    3/10/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/10/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/10/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/10/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/3/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/2/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/2/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Transportation (14-Y 0-N)

    2/26/2026Senate
  16. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB819)

    2/16/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Transportation

    2/10/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/10/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House (88-Y 10-N 0-A)

    2/9/2026House
  20. Read second time and engrossed

    2/6/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/5/2026House
  22. Reported from Transportation (20-Y 1-N)

    2/3/2026House
  23. Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

    1/28/2026House
  24. Assigned HTRAN sub: Highway Safety and Policy

    1/22/2026House
  25. Referred to Committee on Transportation

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation