1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; temporarily allowing
1.3 	hybrid vehicles to be used toll free and on
1.4 	high-occupancy vehicle lanes; allowing use of
1.5 	toll-collection devices; amending Minnesota Statutes
1.6 	2004, section 169.71, subdivision 1; proposing coding
1.7 	for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 160.
1.8 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.9 	Section 1. [160.94] USE OF HIGHWAY LANES BY HYBRID
1.10 	VEHICLES.
1.11 		Subdivision 1.Hybrid vehicle. For the purposes of this
1.12 	section, "hybrid vehicle" means a motor vehicle that (1) has a
1.13 	hybrid propulsion system that operates both with an internal
1.14 	combustion engine and on electric propulsion, and (2) conforms
1.15 	to any requirements for such a vehicle in federal law or
1.16 	regulation.
1.17 		Subd. 2.Use of hov lanes by hybrid vehicles. Unless
1.18 	otherwise prohibited by federal law or regulation, and with the
1.19 	approval of the Federal Highway Administration, the commissioner
1.20 	shall:
1.21 	(1) allow an operator of a single-occupant, hybrid vehicle
1.22 	to use any high-occupancy vehicle lane on the trunk highway
1.23 	system, regardless of occupancy requirements established for
1.24 	other types of vehicles; and 
1.25 	(2) allow the operator of a hybrid vehicle to use a lane of
1.26 	a trunk highway, other than a toll bridge, on which a toll is
2.1 	imposed for certain vehicles, without payment of such a toll.
2.2 		Subd. 3.Decals. The commissioner shall issue to the
2.3 	owner of a hybrid vehicle upon request of the owner and upon
2.4 	payment of a fee of $15, a distinctive decal or other identifier
2.5 	to be affixed to the vehicle, clearly identifying the vehicle as
2.6 	a hybrid vehicle.  A person operating a vehicle lawfully
2.7 	displaying such a decal has the privileges granted by the
2.8 	commissioner under subdivision 2.
2.9 		Subd. 4.Violation. A person may not operate a vehicle
2.10 	that displays a decal or other identifier issued under this
2.11 	section in a high-occupancy vehicle lane or toll lane if that
2.12 	decal or identifier was not issued for that vehicle.  A
2.13 	violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
2.14 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires July 31, 2007.

2.15 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.71,
2.16 	subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.17 		Subdivision 1.Prohibitions generally.  No person shall
2.18 	drive or operate any motor vehicle with:
2.19 	(1) a windshield cracked or discolored to an extent to
2.20 	limit or obstruct proper vision, or,;
2.21 	(2) except for law enforcement vehicles, with any objects
2.22 	suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than sun
2.23 	visors and ,rear vision mirrors, or electronic toll-collection
2.24 	devices;or with 
2.25 	(3) any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon
2.26 	the front windshield, sidewings, side or rear windows of such
2.27 	vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required to be
2.28 	so displayed by law, or authorized by the state director of the
2.29 	Division of Emergency Management, or the commissioner of public
2.30 	safety.