Bill Text: CA AB670 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Vehicles: high-occupancy vehicle lanes: veterans.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-02 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB670 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB670-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 670	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bill Berryhill

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2009

   An act to add Section 21655.10 to the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 670, as introduced, Bill Berryhill. Vehicles: high-occupancy
vehicle lanes: veterans.
    Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation to
designate certain lanes for the exclusive use of high-occupancy
vehicles (HOVs). These lanes may also be used, until January 1, 2011,
by certain low-emission and hybrid vehicles not carrying the
requisite number of passengers otherwise required for the use of an
HOV lane if the vehicle displays a valid identifier issued by the
Department of Motor Vehicles.
   This bill would authorize the Department of Transportation and
local authorities to permit exclusive or preferential use of
high-occupancy vehicle lanes to be used by a vehicle driven by a
veteran or active duty member of the United States Armed Forces,
regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle or the type of
vehicle, provided that the vehicle is driven by the veteran or active
duty member and the vehicle displays an insigne approved by the
Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill would also state that this
provision would only apply if the Director of Transportation
determines that the application would not subject the state to a loss
in federal aid for highways.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 21655.10 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

   21655.10.  (a) The Department of Transportation and local
authorities, with respect to highways under their respective
jurisdictions, may authorize or permit exclusive or preferential use
of high-occupancy vehicle lanes to be used by a vehicle driven by a
veteran or an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces,
regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle or the type of
vehicle, if the vehicle used by the veteran displays an insigne
approved by the department indicating that the vehicle is owned by a
veteran.
   (b) This section does not relieve the driver of the vehicle from
the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using
the highway, nor protect the driver from the consequences of an
arbitrary exercise of the privileges of this section.
   (c) This section shall only apply if the Director of
Transportation determines that the application will not subject the
state to a reduction in the amount of federal aid for highways.