BILL NUMBER: AB 670INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bill Berryhill FEBRUARY 25, 2009 An act to add Section 21655.10 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 670, as introduced, Bill Berryhill. Vehicles: high-occupancy vehicle lanes: veterans. Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation to designate certain lanes for the exclusive use of high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs). These lanes may also be used, until January 1, 2011, by certain low-emission and hybrid vehicles not carrying the requisite number of passengers otherwise required for the use of an HOV lane if the vehicle displays a valid identifier issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. This bill would authorize the Department of Transportation and local authorities to permit exclusive or preferential use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes to be used by a vehicle driven by a veteran or active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle or the type of vehicle, provided that the vehicle is driven by the veteran or active duty member and the vehicle displays an insigne approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill would also state that this provision would only apply if the Director of Transportation determines that the application would not subject the state to a loss in federal aid for highways. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 21655.10 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read: 21655.10. (a) The Department of Transportation and local authorities, with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions, may authorize or permit exclusive or preferential use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes to be used by a vehicle driven by a veteran or an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle or the type of vehicle, if the vehicle used by the veteran displays an insigne approved by the department indicating that the vehicle is owned by a veteran. (b) This section does not relieve the driver of the vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway, nor protect the driver from the consequences of an arbitrary exercise of the privileges of this section. (c) This section shall only apply if the Director of Transportation determines that the application will not subject the state to a reduction in the amount of federal aid for highways.