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Hybrid HOV exemption passed in House?

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Mitchla, Mar 11, 2005.

  1. Mitchla

    Mitchla New Member

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    I heard on the news yesterday that the House had passed the exemption that would allow hybrids to use HOV lanes. I did a Google News search and found only one hit that confirms. Strange. Anyone else have any info?

    http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+...b75b7736c3.html
     
    #1 Mitchla, Mar 11, 2005
  2. mcmurphy

    mcmurphy New Member

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    It appears so.

    thomas.loc.gov is your friend. :) Here's selected text from H. R. 3 as it was reported to the House. It does not appear that any amendments after that changed this section. This bill passed the House yesterday (10 March). Bold emphasis mine for relevance.

    (B)(3) Exceptions- Notwithstanding the occupancy requirements of subsection (a)(2), the following exceptions shall apply with respect to a State agency operating a HOV facility:
    HIGH OCCUPANCY TOLL VEHICLES- The State agency may allow vehicles not otherwise exempt pursuant to this subsection to use the HOV facility if the operators of such vehicles pay a toll charged by the agency for use of the facility and the agency--

    `(A) establishes a program that addresses how motorists can enroll and participate in the toll program;

    `(B) develops, manages, and maintains a system that will automatically collect the toll; and

    `© establishes policies and procedures to--

    `(i) manage the demand to use the facility by varying the toll amount that is charged;

    `(ii) enforce violations of use of the facility; and

    `(iii) permit low-income individuals to pay reduced tolls.

    ...

    (B)(4) LOW EMISSION AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT VEHICLES-

    `(A) INHERENTLY LOW-EMISSION VEHICLE- Before September 30, 2009, the State agency may allow vehicles that are certified as inherently low-emission vehicles pursuant to section 88.311-93 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, and are labeled in accordance with section 88.312-93 of such title, to use the HOV facility if the agency establishes procedures for enforcing the restrictions on the use of the facility by such vehicles.

    `(B) OTHER LOW EMISSION AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT VEHICLES- Before September 30, 2009, the State agency may allow vehicles certified as low emission and energy-efficient vehicles under subsection (e), and labeled in accordance with subsection (e), to use the HOV facility if the operators of such vehicles pay a toll charged by the agency for use of the facility and the agency--
    ...
    `© AMOUNT OF TOLLS- Under subparagraph (B), a State agency may charge no toll or a toll that is less than tolls charged under paragraph (3).
    ...
    (f)(3)LOW EMISSION AND ENERGY EFFICIENT VEHICLE- The term `low emission and energy-efficient vehicle' means a vehicle that--

    `(A) has been certified by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency as meeting the Tier II emission level established in regulations prescribed by the Administrator under section 202(i) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7521(i)) for that make and model year vehicle; and

    `(B)(i) has been certified by the Administrator to have a 45-mile-per-gallon or greater fuel economy highway rating; or

    `(ii) is an alternative fuel vehicle.
     
    #2 mcmurphy, Mar 11, 2005
  3. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    [drool mode] :tongue: [/drool]
     
    #3 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Mar 11, 2005
  4. Mitchla

    Mitchla New Member

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    from Salon.com

    from Salon.com


    The hybrid-huggers vs. Big Auto

    Some promising news for hybrid car owners nationwide: The $284 billion federal highway spending bill that the House passed Thursday includes a waiver allowing California hybrid drivers to use the state's carpool lanes even when they're not carrying passengers.

    Automakers like Honda and Toyota have already been promoting automatic eligibility for the carpool lane as one of the benefits of their advanced-technology vehicles. And hybrid-hugging California -- which led the country in Prius sales in 2004 (it also led in gas-guzzling SUV sales) -- passed legislation last year welcoming cars whose gas mileage is better than 45 miles per gallon into its high-occupancy vehicle lanes. But because the state's highways are built and maintained with federal dollars, reports the Sacramento Bee, California's law is a no-go until the federal government issues a waiver giving the state permission to alter its carpool policy.

    Meanwhile, lawmakers are facing the wrath of auto giants like Ford and Lexus, which manufacture hybrid SUVs that don't quite make the 45 m.p.g. cutoff. Perhaps responding to this pressure, U.S. Reps. Darrel Issa, R-Calif., and Brad Sherman, D-Calif., have introduced their own carpool legislation, which would open HOV lanes to less fuel-efficient hybrids. Counting all hybrids as carpoolers could clog the already crowded lanes, and might remove the incentive to buy truly fuel-efficient smaller cars. Not surprisingly, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has indicated preference for the Issa-Sherman bill, saying in a statement that carpool lanes should be open to "a range of advanced technology vehicles" and that "the government should not be picking winners and losers."

    There are no winners or losers yet -- the highway spending bill could stall in the Senate, and the Bush administration has warned that the president won't sign the bill into law if the cost goes over $284 billion. (Squabbles over funding amounts killed a similar bill last year.) Sen. Dianne Feinstein has said she'll push to preserve the California waiver when the bill goes to the Senate next week. But if the highway spending bill or its waiver run into trouble there, the more permissive Issa-Sherman bill is idling in the wings. Senators, start your engines.
     
    #4 Mitchla, Mar 12, 2005
  5. TimeFor

    TimeFor New Member

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    so what dose this mean??? Can I get my sticker now?

    And is this Toll they are talking about? Am I going to have to pay for Carpool? How low income do you have to be? I hope I qualify for it. I don't want to lose my gas savings by giving the money to the state for carpool.
     
    #5 TimeFor, Mar 17, 2005
  6. ceric

    ceric New Member

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    Not yet

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TimeFor\";p=\"73191)</div>
    The Bill still needs approval from the senate and signed by President. You can't get your sticker now.
    Toll? The intention is to let states decide which way to go. They could open up HOV for 45+ low-emission and high MPG vehicles (note: it does not mention hybrids at all) or they could charge toll for letting those vehicles access HOV lanes. A choice to be made by the states. CA already made their decision by passing its own bill ... free for hybrids 45+MPG and above.
     
    #6 ceric, Mar 17, 2005
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