HB19-1199 Summary

• Requires plug-in electric vehicles to pay a $35 annual express lane access fee beginning July 1, 2022, to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes for free and toll/HOT lanes at reduced rates regardless of occupancy.

• Limits eligible vehicles to those in their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd registration period under the same owner, with vehicle caps increasing annually from 10,000 (July 2020) to 120,000 (July 2024).

• County clerks must collect the access fee at registration and transmit revenue to the statewide transportation enterprise special revenue fund for use by the High-Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE).

• Authorizes Department of Transportation to restrict free/reduced toll access if it causes violations of level-of-service guarantees or debt service coverage requirements, and requires annual reporting to legislature on usage.

• Establishes electronic processes to notify HPTE and authorized agents when access fees are paid and when vehicle caps are reached.