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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of hybrid 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 Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
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(e) A motor vehicle displaying the "hybrid vehicle" |
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insignia authorized by Section 502.1861 in an easily readable |
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location on the back of the vehicle may use a high occupancy vehicle |
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lane regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle unless: |
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(1) the use would impair the receipt of federal funds; |
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or |
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(2) the department determines that the high occupancy |
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vehicle lane has reached 80 percent of its vehicle capacity. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 502.1861 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 502.1861. "HYBRID VEHICLE" INSIGNIA FOR CERTAIN MOTOR |
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VEHICLES. (a) At the time of registration or reregistration of |
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the motor vehicle, the department shall issue a specially designed |
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"hybrid vehicle" insignia for a motor vehicle that draws propulsion |
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energy from both gasoline or conventional diesel fuel and from a |
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rechargeable energy storage system. |
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(b) The department shall issue a "hybrid vehicle" insignia |
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under this section without the payment of any additional fee to a |
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person who: |
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(1) applies to the department on a form provided by the |
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department; and |
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(2) submits proof that the motor vehicle being |
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registered is a vehicle described by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |