| 1 | 1 | | 82R23931 MTB-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Rodriguez H.B. No. 3308 |
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| 3 | 3 | | Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3308: |
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| 4 | 4 | | By: Martinez C.S.H.B. No. 3308 |
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| 5 | 5 | | |
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| 6 | 6 | | |
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| 7 | 7 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 8 | 8 | | AN ACT |
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| 9 | 9 | | relating to the operation of plug-in electric motor vehicles. |
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| 10 | 10 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 11 | 11 | | SECTION 1. Section 224.153, Transportation Code, is amended |
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| 12 | 12 | | by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
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| 13 | 13 | | (e) A motor vehicle displaying the "plug-in electric |
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| 14 | 14 | | vehicle" insignia authorized by Section 502.186 in an easily |
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| 15 | 15 | | readable location on the back of the vehicle may use a high |
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| 16 | 16 | | occupancy vehicle lane regardless of the number of occupants in the |
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| 17 | 17 | | vehicle unless the use would impair the receipt of federal funds. |
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| 18 | 18 | | SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
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| 19 | 19 | | is amended by adding Section 502.186 to read as follows: |
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| 20 | 20 | | Sec. 502.186. "PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE" INSIGNIA FOR |
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| 21 | 21 | | CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES. (a) At the time of registration or |
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| 22 | 22 | | reregistration of a motor vehicle, the department shall issue a |
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| 23 | 23 | | specially designed "plug-in electric vehicle" insignia for a motor |
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| 24 | 24 | | vehicle that: |
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| 25 | 25 | | (1) is made by a manufacturer primarily for use on |
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| 26 | 26 | | public highways; |
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| 27 | 27 | | (2) has not been modified from original manufacturer |
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| 28 | 28 | | specifications; |
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| 29 | 29 | | (3) is rated at not more than 8,500 pounds unloaded |
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| 30 | 30 | | gross vehicle weight; |
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| 31 | 31 | | (4) is acquired for use or lease by a consumer and not |
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| 32 | 32 | | for resale; |
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| 33 | 33 | | (5) has a speed capability of at least 65 miles per |
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| 34 | 34 | | hour; |
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| 35 | 35 | | (6) is propelled to a significant extent by an |
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| 36 | 36 | | electric motor that draws electricity from a battery that: |
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| 37 | 37 | | (A) has a capacity of not less than 4 kilowatt |
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| 38 | 38 | | hours; and |
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| 39 | 39 | | (B) is capable of being recharged from an |
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| 40 | 40 | | external source of electricity; and |
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| 41 | 41 | | (7) is not a recreational vehicle, as defined by |
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| 42 | 42 | | Section 522.004(b), that draws power from a battery or a hybrid |
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| 43 | 43 | | engine solely for purposes other than propulsion. |
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| 44 | 44 | | (b) The department shall issue a "plug-in electric vehicle" |
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| 45 | 45 | | insignia under this section to a person who: |
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| 46 | 46 | | (1) applies to the department on a form provided by the |
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| 47 | 47 | | department; and |
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| 48 | 48 | | (2) submits proof that the motor vehicle being |
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| 49 | 49 | | registered is a vehicle described by Subsection (a). |
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| 50 | 50 | | (c) The department may charge a fee for the issuance of a |
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| 51 | 51 | | "plug-in electric vehicle" insignia under this section. The fee |
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| 52 | 52 | | may not exceed $20 per motor vehicle. |
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| 53 | 53 | | SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |
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