Brief Description: Opening high-occupancy vehicle lanes during nonpeak hours.

Sponsors: Representatives Woods, Nixon, Schindler, Hankins, Bailey, Ericksen, Talcott, Buck, McCune and Dunn.

Hearing Date: 1/23/06

Staff: David Bowman (786-7339).

Background:

The Department of Transportation and local authorities are authorized to designate highway lanes, ramps, and other facilities within their jurisdictions, commonly called high-occupancy vehicle lanes, to be exclusively or preferentially used by public transportation vehicles or private motor vehicles carrying no fewer than the number of passengers specified by regulations, when such designation will increase the efficient utilization of the highway or will aid in the conservation of energy resources. Regulations authorizing a high-occupancy vehicle lane restriction may be effective at all times or at times of day or on certain days as are specified in the regulations. Violation of a high-occupancy vehicle lane restriction is a traffic infraction.

Summary of Bill:

Regulations authorizing high-occupancy vehicle lane restrictions may be effective only during the following times on Monday through Friday: (a) 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.; (b) 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.