By: Ellis S.B. No. 436

(In the Senate - Filed February 5, 2007; February 21, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security; April 12, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 12, 2007, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 436 By: Ellis

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation of hybrid motor vehicles.

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

SECTION 1. Section 224.153, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) A motor vehicle displaying the "hybrid vehicle" insignia authorized by Section 502.1861 in an easily readable location on the back of the vehicle may use a high occupancy vehicle lane regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle unless:

(1) the use would impair the receipt of federal funds; or

(2) the department determines that the high occupancy vehicle lane has reached 80 percent of its vehicle capacity.

SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 502.1861 to read as follows:

Sec. 502.1861. "HYBRID VEHICLE" INSIGNIA FOR CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES. (a) At the time of registration or reregistration of the motor vehicle, the department shall issue a specially designed "hybrid vehicle" insignia for a motor vehicle that draws propulsion energy from both gasoline or conventional diesel fuel and from a rechargeable energy storage system.

(b) The department shall issue a "hybrid vehicle" insignia under this section without the payment of any additional fee to a person who:

(1) applies to the department on a form provided by the department; and

(2) submits proof that the motor vehicle being registered is a vehicle described by Subsection (a).

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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