Bill
H 3789
Mass. Move Over law expands to cover utility and disabled vehicles; motorists must change lanes or slow down, protecting utility crews and stranded drivers.
H 3789 is a legislative filing that, as presented in the provided materials, contains two distinct pieces: (1) a proposed amendment to Massachusetts’ “Move Over” law (An Act relative to the Move Over Law) amending section 7C of chapter 89 of the Massachusetts General Laws; and (2) a concurrent ceremonial resolution recognizing Ms. Genevieve Jordan Smith as the Horry Electric Cooperative’s 2025 “Lady of the Year.” The docket materials appear to combine a substantive transportation bill (Massachusetts) with a ceremonial resolution text (South Carolina). The record describes the measure as a concurrent resolution and lists actions including introduction, adoption, and concurrence.
Below are concise, separate summaries of each portion.
Purpose
- To expand the scope of Massachusetts’ Move Over law by explicitly defining and including "utility vehicles" and "disabled vehicles" among the vehicle types to which move-over/slow-down requirements apply.
Key provisions
- Inserts two new definitions into Section 7C, chapter 89 (as in the 2022 Official Edition):
- “Utility vehicle”: a vehicle being used to install, maintain, repair, operate or restore communications service, electric or gas distribution or transmission service in an emergency, operated by an employee or contractor of a communications or electric/gas distribution/transmission company (as defined by chapter 164).
- “Disabled vehicle”: a motor vehicle that has been abandoned or rendered inoperable by mechanical failure or accident.
- Adds “utility vehicle” and “disabled vehicle” to subsection (b) (and paragraph (1) of subsection (b)) of section 7C, thereby extending the Move Over law’s protections/requirements (e.g., to change lanes, slow down, or take other required action) to include these vehicles in addition to existing categories such as maintenance and recovery vehicles.
Who is affected / impact
- Motorists: Will be legally required to take the Move Over action (as required under section 7C) when approaching utility vehicles and disabled vehicles stopped on the roadway.
- Utility workers and occupants of disabled vehicles: Receive broader statutory protection from passing traffic.
- Utility companies and contractors: Their field vehicles engaged in certain emergency or repair work will be explicitly covered.
- Enforcement and safety authorities: Will enforce the expanded list of protected vehicle types.
Procedural status (from provided record)
- Filed as House Docket No. 641 (1/10/2025) and presented by Rep. Thomas M. Stanley.
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation (2/27/2025).
- Hearing scheduled 06/03/2025 (11:00 AM–1:00 PM) in B-2.
- Other docket entries note accompaniment with H3675 (8/18/2025).
Purpose
- A ceremonial concurrent resolution by the South Carolina General Assembly recognizing and honoring Ms. Genevieve Jordan Smith for her service and naming her Horry Electric Cooperative’s 2025 Lady of the Year.
Key points contained in the resolution
- Notes Ms. Smith’s lifelong association with Horry Electric Cooperative, born in Conway, upbringing on a family farm, and long-term employment at Horry Electric (44 years; retired 2012).
- Describes community and church involvement (Juniper Bay Baptist Church; Bereavement Committee) and personal qualities of faith, work ethic, and service.
- Officially recognizes and congratulates her and directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to her.
Who is affected / impact
- Purely honorary: the resolution confers recognition and has no regulatory or fiscal effect. It honors Ms. Smith and records the legislature’s appreciation.
Procedural status (from provided record)
- Introduced and adopted by the House; sent to the Senate and returned with concurrence (entries dated 01/28/2025 and 02/27/2025). Listed status: Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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