SB 6208-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     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 low-emission vehicles as long as the vehicles are not a significant cause of congestion in the high occupancy vehicle lanes.

     Provides that, the state department of transportation and the local authorities, in consultation with the department of ecology, may permit a vehicle with one or more occupants to operate in high occupancy vehicle lanes if it is certified as an inherently low-emission vehicle, ultra low-emission vehicle, or zero-emission vehicle pursuant to Title 40, Chapter 1, Part 88, Code of Federal Regulations, is labeled in accordance with that title, and bears a special low-emission license plate as provided in this act.

     Declares that, if a vehicle with special low-emission license plates authorized in this act fails an emission test required under chapter 70.120 RCW , the department shall immediately notify the department of licensing of the failure.

     Requires the department of ecology, in consultation with the department of licensing and the department of transportation, to review the relevant data on low-emission vehicles licensed under this act, analyze their effects on improving air quality in this state, review their impacts on traffic flows in the high occupancy vehicle lanes, and make recommendations to the legislature regarding whether the low-emission licensing program should be extended.

     Directs the department to report its findings under this act to the legislature by December 15, 2004.