SF 3829

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; allowing fuel-efficient vehicles to be operated on
high-occupancy vehicle lanes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section
160.93, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 160.93, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin High mileage vehicles exemption. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1,
the commissioner shall allow an operator of a single-occupant, fuel-efficient vehicle
to use any high-occupancy vehicle lane on the trunk highway system, regardless of
occupancy requirements established for other types of vehicles. The commissioner shall
provide, upon request and without charge, a user fee collection device as required for
single-occupant vehicle operators under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin (b) An operator of a single-occupant, fuel-efficient vehicle may use a high-occupancy
vehicle lane if the vehicle is equipped with a properly functioning user fee collection
device as required for single-occupant vehicle operators under subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this subdivision, "fuel-efficient vehicle" means a passenger
automobile, as defined in section 168.011, subdivision 7, that has a highway estimate of at
least 33 miles per gallon (m.p.g.) for the specific make, model, and engine configuration,
including but not limited to the engine size and type of transmission. The highway
estimate is as provided for the vehicle's model year in the fuel economy guide produced
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department
of Energy. In determining whether a vehicle qualifies as a fuel-efficient vehicle, for any
model year before 2008, the commissioner shall use the fuel economy estimation provided
under the new estimation method established for model year 2008 and later.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 160.93, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Prohibition.

No person may operate a single-occupant vehicle in a
designated high-occupancy vehicle lane except in compliance with new text begin the provisions of this
section and new text end the requirements of the commissioner. A person who violates this subdivision
is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and is subject to sections 169.89, subdivisions 1, 2, and 4,
and 169.891 and any other provision of chapter 169 applicable to the commission of a
petty misdemeanor traffic offense.