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S 2922119th CongressIn Committee
HOV Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act
Introduced: Sep 19, 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-California)
Environment & ClimateInfrastructure
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act would extend, for one more year, the federal authorization that allows certain alternative fuel and clean vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Specifically, it amends 23 U.S.C. 166(b)(5)(A) to change the expiration date from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2026. The bill does not propose broader policy changes beyond this extension; it maintains the current policy that eligible alternative fuel and clean vehicles may use HOV facilities through the extended date, subject to existing criteria defined in law.
Key Points
- 1Short title: “High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act” (HOV Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act).
- 2Amends 23 U.S.C. 166(b)(5)(A) to extend the exemption deadline from September 30, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
- 3Purpose: to continue authorizing certain alternative fuel and clean vehicles to use HOV facilities (lanes) beyond the current expiration date.
- 4Effect: preserves the existing exemption for eligible vehicles for one additional year, without adding new policy beyond the extension.
- 5Scope: maintains the current eligibility framework as established in federal law (the bill does not redefine eligibility criteria).
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected: Owners/operators of eligible alternative fuel and clean vehicles that qualify for HOV lane access; travelers who use HOV lanes; state transportation departments and highway authorities administering HOV lanes.Secondary group/area affected: States and localities with HOV lanes, since they administer lane usage consistent with federal exemptions; vehicle manufacturers and fuel/clean-vehicle stakeholders who rely on incentives for driving clean vehicles.Additional impacts: Potential minor effects on traffic patterns and congestion relief in corridors with HOV lanes; minimal administrative impact from renewing the exemption for another year; environmental considerations by continuing incentives to use cleaner vehicles in high-occupancy lanes.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 16, 2025