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Senate approves trial allowing designated clean-fuel vehicles to use HOV lanes
Summary
The Senate passed a substitute to allow designated clean-fuel vehicles to use HOV lanes regardless of occupant number for a sunset trial through 2005; eligibility requires about 70% use of alternate fuel and a special sticker; members raised enforcement concerns but the measure passed unanimously among those voting.
Senators approved the first substitute to House Bill 289, which would permit identified clean-fuel vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes regardless of occupant count for a trial period that includes a sunset through 2005. Floor sponsor Senator Knudson, quoting the House sponsor Representative Bush, said the change is intended to reduce emissions and could also reduce congestion.
The bill’s eligibility provisions require that qualifying vehicles use an alternate (clean) fuel a significant share of the time — sponsors said roughly 70 percent — and that qualifying vehicles display a special sticker to aid enforcement. During floor questioning, Senator Wadipes and others asked whether natural-gas vehicles that can switch between fuels or drivers who might switch fuels to exploit lane access would be prevented from doing so; the sponsor said the intent is to limit eligibility to vehicles that truly operate on alternate fuels the majority of the time.
“Apparently, under the provisions of this, they would have to use the alternate fuel 70% of the time in order to qualify,” the sponsor said.
Some senators raised enforcement questions for highway patrols; the sponsor said special stickers and plate identification would assist enforcement. After discussion, the roll call showed the substitute received 25 aye votes, no negative votes and four absences; it was advanced to the third-reading calendar.
