AndyH
Well-known member
Received this today as part of the Plug-In Texas March newsletter.
More here:
http://www.plugintexas.org/news.php
More here:
http://www.plugintexas.org/news.php
SB 1742 by Senator Troy Fraser and HB 3308 by Representative Eddie Rodriguez
• Creates new legislation making “plug-in electric vehicles” (EVs) eligible to use a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle.
• Vehicle owners will be issued a specially designed "plug-in electric vehicle" decal from the state at time of registration or reregistration identifying the vehicles’ eligibility to be in HOV lanes with fewer passengers.
• This legislation would be effective September 1, 2011 and be implemented unless the use would impair the receipt of federal funds.
• SB 1742 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security. HB 3308 has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation.
HB 3310 by Representative Eddie Rodriguez
• Proposes to make a new light-duty motor vehicle powered in part by an electric motor, including a vehicle that draws power from a battery or a hybrid engine, eligible for a $2,500 grant from the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP).
• Limited to 2,000 vehicles for the 2011-2013 biennium. This legislation would be effective September 1, 2011 and expires September 1, 2013.
• Texans in nonattainment areas are paying an additional fee for vehicle testing already which provided TERP with $114 million (in 2010-2011 budget); this legislation would use $5 million apportioned from existing TERP funds with no new fiscal impact on the state or consumers.
• HB 3310 was heard in the House Committee on Energy Resources on March 30 where Plug-In Texas testified in support of the bill.
SB 385 by Senator Tommy Williams and HB 1037 by Representative John Otto
• Proposes to create the Texas alternative fueling facilities program using two percent of funds from the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP).
• The program would grant eligible recipients 50 percent, or $500,000, for the construction, reconstruction or acquisition of a facility which refuels alternative fueled vehicles (includes electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, propane, etc.). The recipient must make the fueling infrastructure available to the public.
• SB 385 was supported by Plug-In Texas at a hearing on March 22 and is now on the Senate’s Intent Calendar.
SB 15 by Senator Troy Fraser
• Purpose is to establish strategic planning of energy development, production, delivery, commercialization, and utilization in Texas.
• Creates the Texas Energy Policy Council to develop and present a statewide energy policy plan to the legislature.
• The council shall consider and make recommendations on strategies that involve the use of alternative fuel vehicles such as natural gas vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles.
• SB 15 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.
HB 1669 by Representative Linda Harper-Brown
• Directs the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to establish a new road use tax on owners of electric motor vehicles in 2012.
• Plug-In Texas believes the bill imposes a new tax on innovative vehicle technology with limited data and limited experience to draw upon and unfairly targets early adopters of EVs. This legislation, as introduced, could be a disincentive for ownership.
• Plug-In Texas believes EVs should pay fair share for road use, but a preferred approach is for a smaller, two-year study and action by 2013 Texas Legislature to develop an equitable financial contribution by EV owners.
• HB 1669 was heard in public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation on March 28 where Plug-In Texas testified in opposition to the tax bill.
