Bill Text: GA SB347 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Rules of the Road; moratorium on the future designation of high occupancy toll lanes

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-26 - Senate Read and Referred [SB347 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SB347-Introduced.html

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12 LC 39 0021

Senate Bill 347

By: Senators Thompson of the 5th, Henson of the 41st, Butler of the 55th, James of the 35th, Seay of the 34th and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 40-6-54 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to specially designated travel lanes, so as to place a moratorium on the future designation of high occupancy toll lanes; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 40-6-54 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to specially designated travel lanes, is amended by revising subsection (d) as follows:

"(d) The General Assembly finds and declares that the development, improvement, and use of exclusive or preferential high occupancy vehicle lanes, emergency vehicle lanes, and truck lanes or routes should be undertaken in order to relieve congestion and increase the efficiency of the federal-aid highway system. The Until July 1, 2012, the Department of Transportation in cooperation with the State Road and Tollway Authority is hereby authorized to implement high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes where appropriate in qualifying HOV lanes. A 'HOT lane' is a designated lane which allows single occupancy vehicles to gain access to HOV lanes by paying a toll set by the State Road and Tollway Authority. The department may design and develop a system of HOT lanes which uses use value pricing and lane management. 'Value pricing' recognizes the need to vary the road user charge according to the levels of congestion and time of day; and 'lane management' restricts access to the designated HOT lanes based on occupancy, vehicle type, or other objective which would maximize the efficiency of the federal-aid highway system. No additional HOT lanes shall be designated by the department on or after July 1, 2012, unless and until the General Assembly specifically authorizes the return of HOT lane designations through legislation."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.