California Bill to Require ANNUAL Emissions Tests for Vehicles 15-Years Old and Older; Hearing Scheduled for April 13
Legislation (A.B. 859) reintroduced in the California Assembly by Assemblyman Dave Jones (916/319-2009) to require annual Smog check inspections for vehicles 15-years old and older will be considered by the Assembly Transportation Committee on April 13, 2009. The bill would also require that funds generated through the additional inspection fees be deposited into an account which can be used to scrap older cars. You may recall that in 2004 a new law was enacted in California to require the lifetime testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles. Pre-1976 motor vehicles would remain exempt under A.B. 859.
We Urge You to Call Members of the Assembly Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Oppose A.B. 859A.B. 859 ignores the minimal impact vintage cars have on air quality.
A.B. 859 could entice vintage car owners into allowing these vehicles to be scrapped.
A.B. 859 ignores the fact that vehicles 15-years old and older still constitute a small portion of the overall vehicle population and are a poor source from which to look for emissions reduction.
A.B. 859 ignores the fact that classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven.
A.B. 859 would increase costs by creating an annual inspection fee for owners of these vehicles.
A.B. 859 represents another attempt by California legislators and regulators to scapegoat older cars.
Please contact members of the California Assembly Transportation Committee immediately by phone to request their opposition to A.B. 859.
Assembly Transportation Committee
Assemblymember Mike Eng – Chair Phone: 916/319-2049
Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries Phone: 916/319-2066
Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield Phone: 916/319-2040
From: SEMA Action Network Date sent 03/17/2008 03:03:01 pm Subject: SEMA Legislative Alert: Old Car Emissions Exemption Threatened in 8 California Counties...
Old Car Emissions Exemption Threatened in 8 California Counties; Hearing Scheduled for April 1
Legislation (S.B. 1549) has been introduced in the California State Senate by Senator Dean Florez (senator.florez@sen.ca.gov) to repeal the state’s current emissions test exemption for pre-1976 vehicles registered by new owners in the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. The District includes eight counties in California’s Central Valley: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the valley portion of Kern. Under the bill, after Jan. 1, 2009, new owners seeking to register a pre-1976 vehicle in these eight counties would be subject to emissions tests for the life of the vehicle. S.B. 1549 is scheduled to be considered by the California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on April 1, 2008.
We Urge You to Call, E-Mail or Fax Senator Florez and Members of the Senate Transportation Committee (List Attached) Immediately to Oppose S.B. 1549Existing law in California exempts all pre-1976 vehicles from emissions testing.
California’s current emissions testing exemption recognizes the minimal impact of pre-1976 motor vehicles on emissions and air quality.
Pre-1976 vehicles constitute a small and shrinking portion of the overall vehicle population in California and are a poor source from which to look for further emissions reductions.
Pre-1976 antique and classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained.
Repeal of the exemption in the San Joaquin Valley could lead the Legislature to target other areas in the state in the future.
Legislators and regulators are again feeling the heat from a failed effort to meet air quality goals and are looking for a convenient scapegoat. The old car hobby should not carry the burden of their mistakes, as it has in previous amendments to the old car exemption!
Please phone, fax or e-mail Senator Florez to express your opposition to S.B. 1549. Senator Florez can be reached at:
