From CalTrans:
"Each child counts as an occupant, but pets, infants still in the womb, inflatable dolls or ghosts do not (we've heard 'em all). Violators are subject to a minimum $271 fine."
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/faq/faq79.htm
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My response:
JetX, StephenK, or anybody - -
For the life of me, and it's bugging the hell out of me, in all of my research materials, and from researching the Internet, too, I can't seem to locate any Statute, Rule, Regulation or other lawful fiat, concerning HOV lanes and the violation or fines.
If you haven't been successful in your own search for the same, then perhaps, it's a communist conspiracy and there ISN'T any such law!
Now, I've found the laws concerning "setting up" and "allowing" HOV lanes, but absolutely NOTHING about violating such rule, or the fine involved.
Got a Statute, Regulation, or some other, number?
IAAL