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H 3675

Jodi Gallman retirement

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Todd Rutherford

Expands Move Over law to cover utility vehicles; raises fines (250, 1,000, 2,500; injuries up to 5,000 or 1 year) and adds driver education plus annual public awareness campaigns.

Introduced and adopted
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3675

Summary — H.3675 (2025): "An Act relative to the move over law"

Note on contents: The packet provided contains two distinct documents. The operative Massachusetts bill H.3675 (filed by Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon et al.) amends Massachusetts’ “Move Over” law (G.L. c. 89, § 7C). Separately, the packet also includes a South Carolina House resolution honoring Jodi Dials Gallman upon retirement; that resolution is unrelated to the Massachusetts statutory changes summarized below.

Purpose / intent

The bill expands protections for roadside workers by (1) adding “utility vehicles” to the set of stationary vehicles covered by the state’s Move Over law and (2) increasing penalties and education/rehabilitation measures to reduce violations and encourage safer driver behavior.

Key provisions

  • New definition added to G.L. c. 89, § 7C:
    • “Utility vehicle” — a vehicle being used to install, maintain, repair, operate or restore communications service or electric/gas distribution or transmission service in an emergency, operated by employees or contractors of communications or electric distribution/transmission companies (as defined by G.L. c. 164, § 1).
  • Inclusion in Move Over duty:
    • “Utility vehicle” is added alongside emergency, recovery and maintenance vehicles in the Move Over law’s protective provisions (subsection (b) and related paragraph).
  • Penalties revised (replacement of subsection (c)):
    • First offense: $250 fine.
    • Second offense: $1,000 fine.
    • Third or subsequent offense: $2,500 fine.
    • Any violation that results in injury: up to $5,000 fine or up to one year in jail/house of correction.
  • Additional sanctions and programs:
    • (d) A person committing a second offense must complete an RMV-selected program intended to change driver behavior and attitudes about the Move Over law.
    • (e) Insurance surcharge rules: first and second offenses are not surchargeable under G.L. c. 175, § 113B or motor vehicle liability policies; third or subsequent offenses are surchargeable.
    • (f) The Registrar of Motor Vehicles, cooperating with the Highway Safety Division, Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education, Dept. of Higher Education, state police and municipal law enforcement, must develop and implement an annual public awareness campaign for junior and adult drivers. Campaign elements must include distracted driving, mobile device restriction rules (citing G.L. c. 90 §§ 8M, 12A, 13, 13B), fines/punishments, bicycle safety, and RMV must include distracted driving info in each revised drivers’ manual.

Who is affected

  • Motor vehicle operators: new, increased fines and possible educational requirements for repeat violators; potential insurance surcharges for third+ offenses.
  • Utility, emergency, recovery and highway maintenance workers: expanded legal protections when attending disabled vehicles or emergency incidents on roadways.
  • Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Highway Safety Division, education departments, law enforcement: required to design and run annual public education campaigns and programs.
  • Insurers: third or subsequent Move Over violations become surchargeable.

Procedural status and timeline (as provided)

  • Filed: House Docket No. 1356 (filed 01/14/2025).
  • Introduced/Presented by Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon (21st Middlesex); co-petitioners: Rep. David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf (17th Worcester) and Rep. Margaret R. Scarsdale (1st Middlesex).
  • Referred to Transportation Committee: 02/27/2025.
  • Hearing scheduled: 06/03/2025, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM (B-2).
  • Reported favorably and referred to House Ways and Means: 08/18/2025 (accompanied by H.3789 and H.3816).
  • Current status (latest provided): reported favorably to House Ways & Means.

Impact considerations

  • Public safety: broadening protections to include utility vehicles may reduce roadway injuries to utility workers responding to emergencies.
  • Enforcement and compliance: larger fines and mandatory education for repeat violators are intended to deter violations; effectiveness will depend on enforcement and public outreach.
  • Insurance implications: making third+ offenses surchargeable introduces cost consequences for repeat offenders.

If you want, I can produce a concise bill comparison showing current G.L. c. 89, § 7C language side‑by‑side with the proposed amendments, or draft a one-page explainer aimed at drivers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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