Hybrid HOV Exemption Extension?

Someone asked in another thread of messages when the current hybrid exemption to use the HOV lanes expires.

The latest appears to be that both houses of the 2009 session of the Virginia Legislature have passed a bill to extend the current hybird exemption to use HOV lanes SOV until mid-2010. (See website http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+sum+HB2476 ). The website shows the House voted 93 "for" and 5 "opposed" on Feb 2nd, and the Senate vote was 36 "for" and 2 "against" on Feb 26th.

The next step in the process is the bill goes to the Governor where he either approves, vetos, or offers amendments.

The 2011 session is getting ready to vote on house bill #1432 and house bill #1754 to extend the exemption for SOV hybrids with clean special fuel license plates until July 2012. Please email the delegates listed below to request that they vote against this extension. We need to get these single-occupant vehicles OUT of the HOV lanes!

Delegate Thomas "Tag" Greason (Loudon County) (introduced HB 1432): deltgreason@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Kenneth Plum (Reston) (introduced HB 1754): delkplum@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn (Springfield):delefiller-corn@house.virginia.gov

Here's the response I got from Dave Albo:

"Thank you for writing in opposition to an extension of the HOV Clean Fuel Plate Exemption. Del. Thomas Greason has introduced HB 1432, which is officially summarized:

HOV lanes; use by vehicle with clean special fuel license plates. Extends until July 1, 2012, the sunset on use of HOV lanes by clean special fuel vehicles, regardless of the number of occupants.

This bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the Committee on Transportation. Because I do not serve on that committee, I will not be able to affect the bill’s progress unless it reaches the floor of the House of Delegates. However, if it does so, you may be sure that I will take your views into consideration. If you would like to track the progress of HB 1432, or any other bill, you may do so through my website, www.davealbo.com. Just click “Track Legislation” and type in the bill number.

Again, I appreciate you taking the time to write. I always enjoy hearing from my constituents, so if you have any more comments, questions, or concerns, I encourage you to contact me again."

Found the voting history for last years bill that extended it to 2011.

ALBO voted for the extension!

HB 214 HOV lanes; extends date for use by vehicle with clean special fuel license plates.

floor: 01/26/10 House: VOTE: --- PASSAGE (78-Y 17-N)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YEAS--Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Armstrong, Athey, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Brink, Bulova, Byron, Carrico, Cleaveland, Cline, Comstock, Cosgrove, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Edmunds, Englin, Greason, Griffith, Herring, Hope, Howell, A.T., Hugo, Iaquinto, Ingram, James, Janis, Johnson, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Landes, LeMunyon, Lewis, Lohr, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, May, McClellan, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Morefield, Morgan, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Pollard, Putney, Rust, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Stolle, Surovell, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts, Wright--78.

NAYS--BaCote, Barlow, Carr, Cole, Garrett, Gear, Gilbert, Joannou, Lingamfelter, McQuinn, Morrissey, Nixon, Poindexter, Purkey, Spruill, Villanueva, Mr. Speaker--17.

ABSTENTIONS--0.

NOT VOTING--Abbott, Anderson, Kory, Torian--4.

Delegate Howell, W.J. recorded as nay. Intended to vote yea.

HB 1432 overwhelmingly passed the House by 90 to 8 January 31, 2011. Its companion Senate bill is in Committee with a positive impact statement. Last year the Senate unanimously passed the hybrid exemption by 40 to 0. Odds seem quite high the exemption will be extended through June 30, 2012.

HOVME