1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; temporarily allowing hybrid vehicles to be used toll 
1.3 	free and on high-occupancy vehicle lanes;proposing coding for new law in 
1.4 	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 VEHICLES.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Hybrid vehicle. For the purposes of this section, "hybrid vehicle" 
1.8 	means a motor vehicle that (1) has a hybrid propulsion system that operates both with 
1.9 	an internal combustion engine and on electric propulsion, and (2) conforms to any 
1.10 	requirements for such a vehicle in federal law or regulation.
1.11 		Subd. 2.Use of HOV lanes by hybrid vehicles. Unless otherwise prohibited by 
1.12 	federal law or regulation, and with the approval of the Federal Highway Administration, 
1.13 	the commissioner shall:
1.14 	(1) allow an operator of a single-occupant, hybrid vehicle to use any high-occupancy 
1.15 	vehicle lane on the trunk highway system, regardless of occupancy requirements 
1.16 	established for other types of vehicles; and
1.17 	(2) allow the operator of a hybrid vehicle to use a lane of a trunk highway, other than 
1.18 	a toll bridge, on which a toll is imposed for certain vehicles, without payment of such a toll.
1.19 		Subd. 3.Decals. The commissioner shall issue to the owner of a hybrid vehicle, 
1.20 	upon request of the owner and upon payment of a fee of $15, a distinctive decal or other 
1.21 	identifier to be affixed to the vehicle, clearly identifying the vehicle as a hybrid vehicle. 
1.22 	A person operating a vehicle lawfully displaying such a decal has the privileges granted 
1.23 	by the commissioner under subdivision 2.
2.1 		Subd. 4.Violation. A person may not operate a vehicle that displays a decal or 
2.2 	other identifier issued under this section in a high-occupancy vehicle lane or toll lane if 
2.3 	that decal or identifier was not issued for that vehicle.  A violation of this subdivision 
2.4 	is a misdemeanor.
2.5 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2011.