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Update: California Carpool Decals Offically Extended To July 2011

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Aug 12, 2010.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Good news, California Prius drivers: those of you who received a carpool decal a few years ago can continue to use those HOV lanes all by your lonesome until July 1, 2011. As we reported here on PriusChat back in late June, California Legislature SB 535 is a separate bill from the one passed last month that barred Prius and other hybrids from single-occupant HOV bliss. All of you who are lucky enough to have carpool decals can thank Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Mateo, for writing and sponsoring the bill. SB 535 now heads to the governor's desk, where it is expected to be signed shortly. Source: Mercury News Photo credit: robseattle on Flickr
     
    #1 Danny, Aug 12, 2010
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  2. SparkyJ

    SparkyJ New Member

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    I think the Prius community should shower Senator Yee with praise & thanks for getting us another 6 months of HOV usage. Let's let him know how important it was to us.

    You can send a thank-you letter to him at:

    Senator Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D.
    State Capitol, Room 4074
    Sacramento, CA 95814

    or you can call his Sacremento office at (916) 651-4008.

    If you are not in his district, his website won't accept your emails.
     
    #2 SparkyJ, Aug 12, 2010
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  3. aforkosh

    aforkosh Active Member

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    Read the article carefully. The bill is not quite yet law. Although it has passed both houses of the legislature, it still needs to get past the governor He can either sign it or let it become law without his signature. As long as he does not veto it, it will be the law, but that procwess hasn't yet occurred.
     
    #3 aforkosh, Aug 13, 2010
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  4. jaw444

    jaw444 Member

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    I just did a google search on Prius HOV to see if there have been any updates since several months ago when the expiration for the HOV privilege was to be 1/1/11, and i saw this link. All i know about this extension is what i just read here.

    Does anyone know what the reasoning behind the extension is? What caused this? was it because of appeals from people with the stickers, or something else?

    Any idea on what the time frame is for the governor's decision? If he lets it pass without signing, does anyone know what the deadline for him to sign would be?

    Thanks for this hopeful news.
     
    #4 jaw444, Aug 18, 2010
  5. jaw444

    jaw444 Member

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    Answering my own post, i just found this article:

    California Senate Gives HOV Access to Plug-in Hybrids, Extends Hybrids for 6 Months | Hybrid Cars

    The governor has 12 days to sign it. I think that will be around 8/24 approximately.

    The bill was sponsored by GM and backed by Toyota, Chrysler and Tesla.

    The reasoning for the extension is that it will give hybrid owners time to purchase an all electric vehicle or plug in hybrid; the LEAF electric car will become available later this year but in limited quantities, so the bill gives more time to people to evaluate the electric cars and to obtain one.
     
    #5 jaw444, Aug 18, 2010
  6. jaw444

    jaw444 Member

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    The governor signed AB 535 on 8/31. Those of us blessed with decals get a reprieve. I'm really grateful grateful and relieved.
     
    #6 jaw444, Sep 3, 2010
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