CA SB983

Removes the limit of 4 approved high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane facilities and eliminates the January 1, 2012 deadline for applications, allowing unlimited future HOT lane projects approved on or after January 1, 2015.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to independently apply to the California Transportation Commission to develop and operate HOT lanes, and permits both the department and regional transportation agencies to issue bonds backed by toll revenues to finance construction.

Expands eligible applicants to include the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and removes previous local transportation authority restrictions.

Prohibits conversion of existing non-toll or non-user-fee lanes into tolled lanes, except that existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes may be converted to HOT lanes.

Requires the California Transportation Commission to establish new guidelines for approved facilities and mandates annual reporting on HOT lane progress to the Legislature.