[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 109 (Tuesday, September 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 3, SAFE, 
 ACCOUNTABLE, FLEXIBLE, EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY 
                               FOR USERS

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                               speech of

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member 
Oberstar for their leadership in bringing SAFETEA-LU to the floor. It 
is an important bill that will help ease congestion throughout the 
country.
  In particular, I applaud their efforts regarding hybrid vehicles in 
High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. Allowing hybrids in HOV lanes will 
increase demand for the vehicles, improve air quality, and over time 
reduce our reliance on foreign oil sources.
  Section 166 of SAFETEA-LU allows vehicles meeting certain fuel 
efficiency and emissions standards to use HOV lanes. The bill, 
specifically section 166(b)(5)(B)(i), is written to allow states to 
establish a program that addresses the selection of vehicles under the 
HOV provision. As long as states meet the minimum standards set out in 
the bill, they can adjust which vehicles will be authorized to use HOV 
lanes.
  This intentional flexibility will allow California to implement a 
state law letting hybrid vehicles that get more than 45 miles per 
gallon in highway driving and meet California emission standards to 
ride in HOV lanes.
  The bill also allows states to choose which HOV lanes will be 
eligible for use by these vehicles. I call on California to study the 
issue carefully, so that only HOV lanes that can handle the increase in 
traffic be eligible for hybrid vehicles.
  Again, I thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership.

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