| 1 | 1 | | By: Smith of Harris H.B. No. 4071 |
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| 2 | 2 | | |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 5 | 5 | | AN ACT |
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| 6 | 6 | | relating to the operation of hybrid motor vehicles. |
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| 7 | 7 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 8 | 8 | | SECTION 1. Section 224.153, Transportation Code, is amended |
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| 9 | 9 | | by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
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| 10 | 10 | | (e) A motor vehicle displaying the "hybrid vehicle" |
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| 11 | 11 | | insignia authorized by Section 502.1865 in an easily readable |
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| 12 | 12 | | location on the back of the vehicle may use a high occupancy vehicle |
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| 13 | 13 | | lane regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle unless the |
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| 14 | 14 | | use would impair the receipt of federal funds. |
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| 15 | 15 | | SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
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| 16 | 16 | | is amended by adding Section 502.1865 to read as follows: |
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| 17 | 17 | | Sec. 502.1865. "HYBRID VEHICLE" INSIGNIA FOR CERTAIN MOTOR |
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| 18 | 18 | | VEHICLES. (a) At the time of registration or reregistration of the |
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| 19 | 19 | | motor vehicle, the department shall issue a specially designed |
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| 20 | 20 | | "hybrid vehicle" insignia for a motor vehicle that draws propulsion |
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| 21 | 21 | | energy from a rechargeable energy storage system, either alone or |
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| 22 | 22 | | along with gasoline or conventional diesel fuel. |
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| 23 | 23 | | (b) The department shall issue a "hybrid vehicle" insignia |
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| 24 | 24 | | under this section without the payment of any additional fee to a |
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| 25 | 25 | | person who: |
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| 26 | 26 | | (1) applies to the department on a form provided by the |
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| 27 | 27 | | department; and |
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| 28 | 28 | | (2) submits proof that the motor vehicle being |
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| 29 | 29 | | registered is a vehicle described by Subsection (a). |
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| 30 | 30 | | SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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