HB 3082 - DIGEST

     Finds that the goals of the state and federal clean air acts will be advanced by extending the use of the high occupancy vehicle lanes to federally certified clean-fuel vehicles as long as the vehicles are not a significant cause of congestion in the high occupancy vehicle lanes.

     Provides that, by June 30, 2001, the department shall issue special clean-fuel license plates, bearing the standard background, for passenger vehicles that are federally certified as:  (1) Inherently low-emission vehicles;

     (2) ultra low-emission vehicles; or

     (3) zero-emission vehicles.

     Provides that the department shall revoke the special clean-fuel designation if the vehicle is required to have a standard emission test, under chapter 70.120 RCW, and it fails the test.  If the vehicle fails the emission test, the vehicle's owner shall return the special clean-fuel license plates to the department within fifteen days and apply for regular license plates.

     Provides that the use of a special clean-fuel license plate on a vehicle that is not federally certified, or on a certified vehicle that has failed an emission test more than fifteen days previous, is a misdemeanor.