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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 224.153, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows: |
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(e) A hydrogen-powered motor vehicle may use a high |
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occupancy vehicle lane regardless of the number of occupants in the |
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vehicle unless the use would impair the receipt of federal transit |
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funds. |
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(f) The department shall by rule determine the best method |
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for implementing the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes by |
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hydrogen-powered motor vehicles under Subsection (e). |
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(g) In this section, "hydrogen-powered motor vehicle" means |
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a vehicle that meets the Phase II standards established by the |
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California Air Resources Board as of September 1, 2007, for an ultra |
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low-emission vehicle II or stricter Phase II emission standards |
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established by that board and: |
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(1) is hydrogen power capable and has a fuel economy |
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rating of at least 45 miles per gallon; or |
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(2) is fully hydrogen-powered. |
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SECTION 2. Subtitle G, Title 6, Transportation Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 371 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 371. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO MORE THAN |
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ONE TYPE OF TOLL PROJECT |
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Sec. 371.001. HYDROGEN-POWERED MOTOR VEHICLES. (a) In |
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this chapter: |
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(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of |
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Transportation. |
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(2) "Hydrogen-powered motor vehicle" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 224.153(g). |
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(3) "Toll project" means a toll project described by |
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Section 201.001(b), regardless of whether the toll project is: |
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(A) a part of the state highway system; or |
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(B) subject to the jurisdiction of the |
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department. |
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(4) "Toll project entity" means an entity authorized |
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by law to acquire, design, construct, finance, operate, and |
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maintain a toll project, including: |
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(A) the department under Chapter 227 or 228; |
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(B) a regional tollway authority under Chapter |
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366; |
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(C) a regional mobility authority under Chapter |
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370; or |
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(D) a county under Chapter 284. |
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(b) A toll project entity may not require a hydrogen-powered |
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motor vehicle to pay a toll for the use of a toll project. |
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(c) The department shall by rule provide procedures for |
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implementing this section through the use of toll tags. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |