HOV - Hybrid Exemption Federal Legislation
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Topic: HOV - Hybrid Exemption Federal Legislation
Posted By: shirons
Subject: HOV - Hybrid Exemption Federal Legislation
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2005 at 1:19pm
There are a couple of bills that have been introduced in Congress that would give states the right to authorized Hybrid exemption on HOV through the September of 2009.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c109:./temp/~c109oLDtNh - S.129 - Senate Legislation
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c109:./temp/~c109fedpxM - H.R. 325
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c109:./temp/~c109CQ5YxL - H.R. 444
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c109:./temp/~c109WiXTOj - H.R. 3
H.R. 3 is the biggest threat of passing because it is the complete Transportation Bill. It's commonly referred to as TEA (Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) legislation.
All of the bills still put the battle at the state level, because they just authorize the state to allow for a Hybrid exemption. Without this enabling legislation states would not be able to even offer a hybrid exemption.
I noticed that Congressman Tom Davis who represents most of Fairfax and Prince William Counties has not become a co-sponsor of any of the above bills.
Congressman Davis is hosting several local Town Hall meetings this Saturday. Please try to attend one of them and ask about his perspective on HOV issues and specifically on Hybrid Exemption.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Belvedere Elementary School
6540 Columbia Pike
Falls Church
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Fairfax City Hall, Room 305
10455 Armstrong Street
Fairfax
1:30 PM-3:00 PM
Prince William County McCoart Building
1 County Complex Court
Prince William
There is a list of his future Town Hall meetings on his http://tomdavis.house.gov/davis_contents/center/townhall/ - website.
To further voice opposition to the legislation contact members of the http://www.house.gov - House of Representatives and http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=VA - Senate.
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Replies:
Posted By: shirons
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2005 at 4:36pm
Hybrid exemption finds it's way into Federal Legislation passed by the House of Representatives today. By a vote of 417 - 9
H.R. 3 section 1208 gives states the right to allow a low emissions vehichle HOV exemption until Sept. 2009.
Once this bill finishes its legislative process and is signed into law it kills the argument that Virginia's exemption breaks federal law.
Although VA's exemption is still scheduled to expire in July 2006 - this will give VDOT the ability to extend it through 2009 - without having to worry about those pesky federal government laws.
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Posted By: Wagonman
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2005 at 4:04pm
quote:
Originally posted by shirons
[br]Hybrid exemption finds it's way into Federal Legislation passed by the House of Representatives today. By a vote of 417 - 9
H.R. 3 section 1208 gives states the right to allow a low emissions vehichle HOV exemption until Sept. 2009.
Once this bill finishes its legislative process and is signed into law it kills the argument that Virginia's exemption breaks federal law.
Although VA's exemption is still scheduled to expire in July 2006 - this will give VDOT the ability to extend it through 2009 - without having to worry about those pesky federal government laws.
But there are also conditions in the Federal bill that Virginia will have to meet in order to let "clean vehicles" into HOV. I doubt they can meet all the conditions and still keep all the current hybrids exempt. One is based on an actual emissions ratings(about time), but the rating has yet to be determined and it will be determined by the EPA. One is based on congestion and I believe 395/95 HOV is already congested enough that they won't be able to grant the exemption there.
The real gem in this bill is the TOLL HOV portion. It requires the state to figure out a way to let low income people pay a reduced toll if they make the HOT lanes. This will make running HOT lanes more difficult and less likely. Is the state really going to make people turn in their tax returns to Fluor-Daniels to get a reduced rate? What are the privacy implications of that?
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