HOV lanes; extend sunset provision allowing those vehicles bearing clean special fuel license plate. (HB2476)
Introduced By
Del. Tim Hugo (R-Centreville) with support from co-patrons Del. Chuck Caputo (D-Oak Hill), Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston), and Del. Tom Rust (R-Herndon)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
✓ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
✓ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
HOV lanes; clean special fuel vehicles. Extends until July 1, 2010, the "sunset" provision allowing vehicles bearing clean special fuel license plates to use HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Passed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/14/2009 | Committee |
01/14/2009 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/09 093467548 |
01/14/2009 | Referred to Committee on Transportation |
01/23/2009 | Impact statement from DPB (HB2476) |
01/27/2009 | Reported from Transportation with substitute (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
01/27/2009 | Committee substitute printed 093593548-H1 |
01/29/2009 | Read first time |
01/30/2009 | Read second time |
01/30/2009 | Committee substitute agreed to 093593548-H1 |
01/30/2009 | Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB2476H1 |
02/02/2009 | Read third time and passed House (93-Y 5-N) |
02/02/2009 | VOTE: --- PASSAGE (93-Y 5-N) (see vote tally) |
02/03/2009 | Constitutional reading dispensed |
02/03/2009 | Referred to Committee on Transportation |
02/04/2009 | Impact statement from DPB (HB2476H1) |
02/19/2009 | Reported from Transportation (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/23/2009 | Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/24/2009 | Read third time |
02/24/2009 | Passed by for the day |
02/25/2009 | Read third time |
02/25/2009 | Reading of amendment waived |
02/25/2009 | Passed by for the day |
02/26/2009 | Reading of amendment waived |
02/26/2009 | Read third time |
02/26/2009 | Amendment by Senator Barker withdrawn |
02/26/2009 | Reading of amendments waived |
02/26/2009 | Amendments by Senator Stolle rejected (17-Y 21-N) (see vote tally) |
02/26/2009 | Passed Senate (36-Y 2-N) (see vote tally) |
03/09/2009 | Enrolled |
03/09/2009 | Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB2476ER) |
03/09/2009 | Impact statement from DPB (HB2476ER) |
03/10/2009 | Signed by President |
03/11/2009 | Signed by Speaker |
03/30/2009 | G Approved by Governor-Chapter 676 (effective 7/1/09) |
03/30/2009 | G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0676) |
Video
This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 1 clip in all, totaling 2 minutes.
Comments
This helps reduce the traffic on the main lanes of 95 while construction is being done on the lanes to increase to four lanes accross the Purple Heart Bridge, and the HOV lanes are still free flowing (in years only an accident slows these lanes on a normal basis). No new vehicles can join, it is only grandfathered so the lanes will not get any significant increase, but dumping this traffic on the main lanes would add to an already bad traffic situation. It helps with the air quality, oil consumption, along with green house gases emitted since these cars average in excess of 50 miles per gallon. The objections usually are not logical and are more emotional. Research would show you that this is a good bill and the pros outweigh the cons.
I agree 100% with Brian and could not have said it better. Yes I do own a Hybrid and have the original CF tags. there are times when I am on the lanes in the mornings and see only a handful of cars at all. In the evening the only issue is at the end of the HOVs and even without the Hybrids this was a problem area. One day all of us with CF tags will either move away or retire and this will no longer even be an issue, but for now it just makes sense to renew the bill. Thank you.
I say end this practice July 1, 2009 even though I own a Prius. HOV translates to high occupancy vehicle. There is no reason why someone who chooses not to drive a hybrid should be punished. A Honda Civic can get 38-40 mpg which is the same as a Camry Hybrid, but that driver doesn't benefit from the HOV lanes. If you want to use these lanes, get two more passengers and use them as they were intended. By the way, CF plates do not work in Maryland for all the Virginia hybrid drivers who think they can use the HOV lane on 270. You will be stopped by MSP and receive a $500 zero tolerance citation!
I agree with the extension. Anything you can do to keep traffic off of the regular lines is a necessity.