LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1500, as amended, Lieu. High-occupancy lanes: single occupancy
vehicles: sunset date.
Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation to
designate certain lanes for the exclusive use of high-occupancy
vehicles (HOV), which 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. Existing law, until January 1, 2011,
makes it a misdemeanor to illegally use a decal, label, or other
identifiers issued by the department.
This bill would extend the date, to January 1, 2016
2014 , that specified low-emission vehicles can
use high-occupancy lanes, the department can issue low-emission
decals or other identifiers, and that illegal use
of a department-issued decal on a low-emission vehicle is considered
a misdemeanor, creating a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.