2969-S AMH VANL NEAL 70

SHB 2969 - H AMD 0370 Failed 3-1-02

By Representative Van Luven

     On page 30, after line 2, insert the following:

ASec. 603  RCW 46.61.165 and 1999 c 206 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

     The state department of transportation and the local authorities are authorized to reserve all or any portion of any highway under their respective jurisdictions, including any designated lane or ramp, for the exclusive or preferential use of public transportation vehicles or private motor vehicles carrying no fewer than a specified number of passengers when such limitation will increase the efficient utilization of the highway or will aid in the conservation of energy resources.  Regulations authorizing such exclusive or preferential use of a highway facility may be declared to be effective at all times or at specified times of day or on specified days.  Except that highway projects funded in whole or in part by revenue generated under this act may not include high occupancy vehicle lanes unless those lanes are open to all traffic from eight p.m. through six a.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday.  Violation of a restriction of highway usage prescribed by the appropriate authority under this section is a traffic infraction.

     Sec. 604.  RCW 47.52.025 and 1974 ex.s. c 133 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

     Highway authorities of the state, counties, and incorporated cities and towns, in addition to the specific powers granted in this chapter, shall also have, and may exercise, relative to limited access facilities, any and all additional authority, now or hereafter vested in them relative to highways or streets within their respective jurisdictions, and may regulate, restrict, or prohibit the use of such limited access facilities by various classes of vehicles or traffic.  Such highway authorities may reserve any limited access facility or portions thereof, including designated lanes or ramps for the exclusive or preferential use of public transportation vehicles, privately owned buses, or private motor vehicles carrying not less than a specified number of passengers when such limitation will increase the efficient utilization of the highway facility or will aid in the conservation of energy resources.  Regulations authorizing such exclusive or preferential use of a highway facility may be declared to be effective at all times or at specified times of day or on specified days.    Except that highway projects funded in whole or in part by revenue generated under this act may not include high occupancy vehicle lanes unless those lanes are open to all traffic from eight p.m. through six a.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. @

     Renumber remaining sections.

EFFECT: Requires that high occupancy vehicle lanes built as part of projects funded in whole or in part by the act must be open on weekends and from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays.