2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104308D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1200

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 33.2-274.2, relating to Department of Transportation; protective caps for guardrail posts; report.

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Patron—Williams

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Referred to Committee on Transportation

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 33.2-274.2 as follows:

§ 33.2-274.2. Protective caps for guardrail posts; report.

The Department shall develop, adopt, and implement statewide standards and requirements for protective caps or other comparable shielding for exposed guardrail posts installed or replaced on or after July 1, 2027. In developing such standards and requirements, the Department shall evaluate commercially available protective caps or other comparable shielding for exposed guardrail posts and set minimum impact-attenuation criteria for such protective caps or other comparable shielding. Once adopted, the Department shall incorporate such standards and requirements into the Department's Road and Bridge Standards. Such standards and requirements shall apply to new installations of guardrail posts and any repair of guardrail posts requiring the removal and resetting of such guardrail posts.

The Department may apply for any additional grants for funds, as the Department determines may be necessary to supplement any existing state or federal funds that the Department is currently permitted by law to use for the development, adoption, and implementation of such standards and requirements and, once such standards and requirements are implemented, for the installation or replacement of protective caps or other comparable shielding for exposed guardrail posts.

The Department shall publish an annual report on the implementation of such standards and requirements, including the number of protective caps or other comparable shielding installed, no later than December 1.