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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) "Department" means the Texas Department of |
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Transportation. |
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(2) "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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(b) 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 is entitled to 100 free uses per |
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year of toll projects in this state. |
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(c) The department shall adopt rules to implement this |
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section. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 502.1695 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 502.1695. FEE: HYBRID VEHICLES. (a) Notwithstanding |
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Sections 502.161, 502.172, 502.173, and 502.177, the department |
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shall register without charge a motor vehicle under this chapter |
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if: |
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(1) the motor vehicle is issued a "hybrid vehicle" |
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insignia authorized under Section 502.1861; and |
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(2) it is the first time the owner is registering the |
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vehicle under this chapter. |
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(b) The department shall adopt rules to implement this |
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section. |
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SECTION 4. 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 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |