Report Title:

Hybrid Motor Vehicles; Allowed Use of HOV Lanes

Description:

Allows hybrid motor vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes regardless of number of occupants. Defines "hybrid motor vehicle". Requires DOT to issue certificate and sell identifying decal to hybrid motor vehicles for use in HOV lanes.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2853

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO high occupancy vehicle lanes.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 291C-221, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§291C-221[]] Definitions. As used in this part unless the context otherwise requires:

"High occupancy vehicle" means a vehicle carrying at least two persons[.], except in the case of a hybrid motor vehicle, which shall be considered a high occupancy vehicle regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle.

"High occupancy vehicle lane" means a designated lane of a laned roadway where the use of the designated lane is restricted to school buses, vehicles carrying at least two persons, hybrid motor vehicles, and to other vehicles as provided by rules adopted in accordance with chapter 91, or by county ordinance.

"Hybrid motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle:

(1) That draws propulsion energy from onboard sources of stored energy that are both:

(A) An internal combustion or heat engine using combustible fuel; and

(B) A rechargeable energy storage system; and

(2) That, in the case of a passenger motor vehicle or light truck:

(A) Has received a certificate of conformity under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; and

(B) Meets or exceeds the equivalent qualifying California standards for a low-emission vehicle."

SECTION 2. Section 291C-222, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) No motor vehicle shall be operated upon these lanes except in conformance with the instructions on the signs and other official traffic-control devices. In the case of a hybrid motor vehicle, the department shall issue to the registered owner of the hybrid motor vehicle a decal and registration certificate, to be renewed annually, authorizing the hybrid motor vehicle to be used in high occupancy vehicle lanes. The department may charge a fee for the decal, not to exceed the costs of designing, producing, and distributing each decal, or $5, whichever is less. The proceeds from sale of the decals shall be deposited in the general fund."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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