Assigned to PS                                                                                                                        FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1059

move over law; study committee

Purpose

Establishes the Efficacy of Arizona's Move Over Law Study Committee (Study Committee).

Background

If the driver of a vehicle approaches a stationary vehicle that is displaying alternatively flashing or warning lights, the driver of the vehicle in motion must, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change to a lane not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle. If making the lane change is impossible or unsafe, the driver must proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions. This is often referred to as Arizona's move over law.

A person who violates Arizona's move over law is subject to a penalty of $275 for a first violation, $500 for a second violation within five years and $1,000 for a third or subsequent violation within five years.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) must include educational information relating to Arizona's move over law in outlined driver education programs and examinations, educate the public about Arizona's move over law periodically throughout the year and maintain information about the law on ADOT's website (A.R.S. § 28-775).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Establishes the Study Committee, consisting of the following members:

a) two Senate members of differing political parties who are appointed by the President of the Senate (President), one of which as cochair,

b) two members of the House of Representatives (House) from different political parties who are appointed by the Speaker of the House (Speaker), one of which as cochair;

c) the Director of ADOT or the Director's designee;

d) two representatives appointed by the Department of Public Safety; and

e) one representative of the towing and recovery industry who is appointed by the Governor.

2. Requires the Study Committee to:

a) conduct a comprehensive study to determine the efficacy of Arizona's move over law and if additional promotion and education is needed to increase effectiveness and additional safety measures to help drivers better comply with yielding to emergency vehicles;

b) review current policies and practices and propose revisions to improve safety matters for first responders and citizens;

c) identify additional resources and policy initiatives that would enhance public safety or improve the efficacy of Arizona's move over law;

d) propose legislation to address issues identified by the Study Committee; and

e) submit, by December 1, 2025, a report regarding the Study Committee's activities, findings and recommendations to the Governor, President and Speaker and provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State.

3. Instructs the Study Committee to meet at the call of the cochairs.

4. Specifies that Study Committee members are not eligible to receive compensation.

5. Repeals the Study Committee on October 1, 2026.

6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

January 17, 2025

KJA/AG/slp