1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; allowing hybrid vehicles
1.3 	to be used in high-occupancy vehicle lanes; proposing
1.4 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 160.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [160.94] USE OF HIGHWAY LANES BY HYBRID
1.7 	VEHICLES.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Hybrid vehicle. For the purposes of this
1.9 	section, "hybrid vehicle" means a motor vehicle that:
1.10 	(1) has a hybrid propulsion system that operates both with
1.11 	an internal combustion engine and on electric propulsion;
1.12 	(2) has a fuel efficiency of greater than 28 miles per
1.13 	gallon in highway use and 33 miles per gallon in city use, as
1.14 	certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency;
1.15 	and 
1.16 	(3) conforms to any requirements for such a vehicle in
1.17 	federal law or regulation.
1.18 		Subd. 2.Use of hov lanes by hybrid vehicles. Unless
1.19 	otherwise prohibited by federal law or regulation, and with the
1.20 	approval of the Federal Highway Administration, the commissioner
1.21 	shall:
1.22 	(1) allow an operator of a single-occupant, hybrid vehicle
1.23 	to use any high-occupancy vehicle lane on the trunk highway
1.24 	system, regardless of occupancy requirements established for
1.25 	other types of vehicles; and 
2.1 	(2) allow the operator of a hybrid vehicle to use a lane of
2.2 	a trunk highway, other than a toll bridge, on which a toll is
2.3 	imposed for certain vehicles, without payment of such a toll.
2.4 		Subd. 3.Decals. The commissioner shall issue to the
2.5 	owner of a hybrid vehicle upon request of the owner and upon
2.6 	payment of a fee of $15, a distinctive decal or other identifier
2.7 	to be affixed to the vehicle, clearly identifying the vehicle as
2.8 	a hybrid vehicle.  A person operating a vehicle lawfully
2.9 	displaying such a decal has the privileges granted by the
2.10 	commissioner under subdivision 2.
2.11 		Subd. 4.Violation. A person may not operate a vehicle
2.12 	that displays a decal or other identifier issued under this
2.13 	section in a high-occupancy vehicle lane or toll lane if that
2.14 	decal or identifier was not issued for that vehicle.  A
2.15 	violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
2.16 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires July 31, 2007.