Vehicles: high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation and local agencies, with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions, to designate certain lanes for preferential or exclusive use by high-occupancy vehicles. This bill, until January 1, 2020, or until the Director of Transportation determines otherwise, as provided under the bill, and files that determination with the Secretary of State, would suspend, consistent with the state implementation plan for the San Francisco Bay area adopted pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act and other federal requirements, the hours of operation for highway lanes designated for high-occupancy vehicles, in the Interstate 80 corridor within the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's jurisdiction, in the morning reverse commute direction, as defined. Because the commission would be required to post signage of the above requirements along the Interstate 80 corridor, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Interstate 80 corridor in the San Francisco Bay area. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.