HF 1243

1st Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; temporarily allowing
hybrid vehicles to be used toll free and on
high-occupancy vehicle lanes; allowing use of
toll-collection devices; amending Minnesota Statutes
2004, section 169.71, subdivision 1; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 160.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [160.94] USE OF HIGHWAY LANES BY HYBRID
VEHICLES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Hybrid vehicle. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this
section, "hybrid vehicle" means a motor vehicle that (1) has a
hybrid propulsion system that operates both with an internal
combustion engine and on electric propulsion, and (2) conforms
to any requirements for such a vehicle in federal law or
regulation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Use of hov lanes by hybrid vehicles. new text end

new text begin Unless
otherwise prohibited by federal law or regulation, and with the
approval of the Federal Highway Administration, the commissioner
shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) allow an operator of a single-occupant, hybrid vehicle
to use any high-occupancy vehicle lane on the trunk highway
system, regardless of occupancy requirements established for
other types of vehicles; and
new text end

new text begin (2) allow the operator of a hybrid vehicle to use a lane of
a trunk highway, other than a toll bridge, on which a toll is
imposed for certain vehicles, without payment of such a toll.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Decals. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall issue to the
owner of a hybrid vehicle upon request of the owner and upon
payment of a fee of $15, a distinctive decal or other identifier
to be affixed to the vehicle, clearly identifying the vehicle as
a hybrid vehicle. A person operating a vehicle lawfully
displaying such a decal has the privileges granted by the
commissioner under subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Violation. new text end

new text begin A person may not operate a vehicle
that displays a decal or other identifier issued under this
section in a high-occupancy vehicle lane or toll lane if that
decal or identifier was not issued for that vehicle. A
violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires July 31, 2007.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.71,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Prohibitions generally.

No person shall
drive or operate any motor vehicle with new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end a windshield cracked or discolored to an extent to
limit or obstruct proper vision deleted text begin , or, deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end except for law enforcement vehicles, with any objects
suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than sun
visors deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin , new text end rear vision mirrors, new text begin or electronic toll-collection
devices; new text end or deleted text begin with
deleted text end

new text begin (3) new text end any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon
the front windshield, sidewings, side or rear windows of such
vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required to be
so displayed by law, or authorized by the state director of the
Division of Emergency Management, or the commissioner of public
safety.