HOV Lane for Hybrids: Not on Saturday

Although laws adopted by the State Legislature go into effect in California on January 1st, one law will not. The measure allowing drivers of Hybrid vehicles to drive in California highway's carpool lanes still requires an act of Congress before it may come into effect:

Although Assembly Bill 2628 is set to become law with the new year, it cannot be implemented without approval by Congress, where the measure is stalled indefinitely.

That's confused and frustrated many hybrid enthusiasts who loved the idea of zipping past their gas-guzzling brethren on Los Angeles' notoriously jammed freeways.

"We're getting e-mails from all over the state, from people who either say they own a hybrid or they're thinking about buying one, saying, 'When can we use the HOV lanes?"' said Louise Rishoff, district director for Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, the Woodland Hills Democrat who introduced the legislation.

"We're just waiting for Congress," she said. "The bill acknowledges that this federal approval is a prerequisite to implementation.