CA HOV driving solo

LouieNet

· #2 · Nov 20, 2004

Federal bill for single-occupancy use in HOV lanes

lw26 said:
Does anyone know where to monitor info on the legislation allowing hybrids to drive in the carpool lane.

I think the bill to monitor is House Resolution 5417 that was only just introduced yesterday by Rep. Brad Sherman:

H.R.5417
Title: To amend title 23, United States Code, relating to high occupancy vehicle lanes.
Sponsor: Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] (introduced 11/19/2004) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/19/2004 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

It seems like with the way the online information is presented, I can't link directly to it. Search for "H.R.5417" in the "Search by Bill Number" box on the right side of this webpage: (The text may not be available online for a couple of days.)

http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html

Louie

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An04Prius

· #3 · Nov 20, 2004

HOV lanes

thank you LouieNet for the update. I had not yet heard of the Sherman bill.

We should all send Sherman, & MORE IMPORTANT, OUR OWN REPRESENTATIVE an email encouraging a positive vote on this legislation.

Another source for info is the Mr Roadshow column in the San Jose Mercury News, which has tried to stay on top of this subject.

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Roger V

· #4 · Nov 21, 2004

HOV lanes

I think we may be in trouble if it is going to take an act of Congress to allow this change to the law in Calif. Didn't they just start their winter break? I thought, from something I read some time ago in the LA Times, that all we needed was appoval from the DOT. Also, there apparently has been some discussion about the feds dropping out of the matter entirely, and letting individual states decide their own laws pertaining to HOV usage. I have recently contacted the DMV, AAA, and ARB (air resources board) and have been unable to get any info other than that the law change is pending federal approval. The only applications the DMV has now pertain to previously allowed vehicles powered by electricity, propane or natural gas.

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Roger V

· #5 · Nov 21, 2004

HOV lanes

I think we may be in trouble if it is going to take an act of Congress to allow this change to the law in Calif. Didn't they just start their winter break? I thought, from something I read some time ago in the LA Times, that all we needed was appoval from the DOT. Also, there apparently has been some discussion about the feds dropping out of the matter entirely, and letting individual states decide their own laws pertaining to HOV usage. I have recently contacted the DMV, AAA, and ARB (air resources board) and have been unable to get any info other than that the law change is pending federal approval. The only applications the DMV has now pertain to previously allowed vehicles powered by electricity, propane or natural gas.

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An04Prius

· #6 · Nov 22, 2004

HOV lanes

well of course we are in trouble...George Carlin says "doors close, cigars light, brandy is poured...and the public suffers"

so do the one thing that might help (there are no guarantees); write, email, fax, call your representative in the House...even if you are not in CA.

The best way for other states to get similar legislation is thru legislator concern that they are not treating their constituents to the same stuff other states are.

At least we now have a H.R. bill to promote H.R. 5417

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LouieNet

· #7 · Apr 10, 2005

Federal legislation passed in House; onto the the Senate now

I apologize if this is old news to the reader, but I haven't seen anyone write about this little bit of news that happened almost a whole month ago.

ALLOWING HYBRIDS INTO HOV LANES INCLUDED IN TRANSPORTATION BILL
Provision Would Allow High-Mileage Hybrids into Diamond Lanes
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ca ... 50310.html
March 10, 2005

Excerpts: (follow link for full press release)

"Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks, CA) applauded the inclusion of a provision that would permit high-mileage hybrid vehicles to use diamond lanes (HOV) in the Transportation Equity Act, H.R. 3. This provision is similar to the legislation that Sherman and his Republican colleague, Darrell Issa (R-Vista, CA) introduced earlier this year – The Hybrid Vehicle HOV Access Act, H.R. 444.

"The provision in H.R. 3 would enable California to implement the recently-passed state law that allows high-mileage hybrids to use diamond lanes. Current federal law permits only high-occupancy (usually two persons), natural gas and electric vehicles to use HOV lanes.

"The House of Representatives passed H.R. 3 earlier today, and the bill will move to the Senate for their consideration."

For more details on H.R. 3, go to:

Sherman’s Projects Included in Omnibus Transportation Bill
Projects to Help Improve Local Streets
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ca ... 0310b.html
March 10, 2005

Louie

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Astrowoman

· #8 · Apr 10, 2005

This thread seems to have a nonexistent second page. Bit like the man on the stair. You know, the one who wasn't there.

Anyway, what is the bottom line -- can Prii now get a sticker to use the HOV lane or not? Although I must say the only time I'm likely to be alone in the car and wanting to use that would be on my way to or from the airport...

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Coolfire

· #9 · Apr 12, 2005

Bottom Line is not yet. The bill passed through the House of Reps and now needs to get through the senate. The problem is that it's just one of dozens of items on this transportation bill and I assume that each item needs to be looked at by each senator before it passes it. I don't know how fast these things take but if I compared it with how long complex laws take for our local legislation to look at and possibly study/research, it could be a while.

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