BILL NUMBER: SB 1245INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Simitian FEBRUARY 19, 2010 An act to add Section 149.10 to the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1245, as introduced, Simitian. High-occupancy vehicle lanes. Existing law provides for the Department of Transportation and local authorities, with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions, to authorize or permit exclusive or preferential use of highway lanes for high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs). Existing law authorizes the development and implementation of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes under limited circumstances, pursuant to which vehicles that do not meet the vehicle occupancy requirements for use of an HOV lane may use the lane upon payment of a toll. This bill would require an HOV lane, including, but not limited to, a HOT lane, on a highway or bridge that was free of tolls to HOVs as of January 1, 2010, to remain free of tolls with respect to HOVs. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 149.10 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read: 149.10. A high-occupancy vehicle lane, including, but not limited to, a high-occupancy toll lane, on a highway or bridge that was free of tolls to high-occupancy vehicles as of January 1, 2010, shall remain free of tolls with respect to those vehicles.