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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 the |
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use would impair the receipt of federal transit funds. |
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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. VEHICLES DISPLAYING "HYBRID VEHICLE" |
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INSIGNIA. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "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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(2) "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 motor vehicle |
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displaying the "hybrid vehicle" insignia authorized by Section |
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502.1861 in an easily readable location on the back of the vehicle |
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to pay a toll for the use of a toll project. |
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SECTION 3. 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 the |
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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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |