DeTomaso Mailing List: June 97, Message #215
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All, Further to Jim Kaisers message, he also sent out the "Bill Analysis". I apologize for taking up bandwidth, but I think you will alll find it interesting, and the gross errors in the thinking of CARB and the folk who oppose SB42. However it is not meant to amuse.... Also please note at the end of the analysis is a list of supporting clubs/organizations. Clearly some more clubs need to get involved.... Shane Ingate in San Diego **************************************************************************** Subject: Message on bill sb_42 : billroot:[current.sb.from0000.sb00 Author: Senate-News-Reply@SEN.CA.GOV at UUCPLINK Date: 6/17/97 7:26 AM BILL ANALYSIS Date of Hearing: June 16, 1997 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION Kevin Murray, Chairman SB 42 (Kopp) - As Amended: February 13, 1997 SENATE VOTE: 33-0 SUBJECT: Air pollution: vehicles SUMMARY: This measure exempts vehicles over 25 years old from the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (smog check) program. EXISTING FEDERAL LAW: 1) Requires states and local air quality agencies to adopt programs to achieve federal ambient air quality standards, and to submit a State Implementation Plan which includes those program to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for approval. 2) Requires that a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program be adopted in each non-attainment area, and that an enhanced program be implemented in all serious, severe and extreme non-attainment areas. EXISTING STATE LAW requires all motor vehicles manufactured for the 1966 model-year and thereafter, to participate in the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program, and to obtain a smog check certificate or certificate of non-compliance biennially, upon transfer of ownership, or upon registration of a vehicle previously registered outside the state. FISCAL EFFECT: Potential loss of revenue to Bureau of Automotive Repair of smog certificate fees of $1.8 million in FY 1997-8 (six months), increasing to $3.8 million annually by FY 1999-00. COMMENTS: The author introduced this measure, and states that it is difficult for aging cars to pass smog tests because original parts are difficult to locate, new testing procedures are arbitrary and make it difficult for older vehicles to pass, and that testing cutpoints have been set at levels more stringent than original manufacturer's specifications which are impossible for older vehicles to meet. The author further states that the number of vehicles which would be exempted from the smog check program is relatively small, those model years between 1966 and 1973 which, according to the author, total 219,000 vehicles. According to the author, he has received over 8,000 communications in support of the bill. How Many Cars are Effected? According to the California Air Resources Board, over 200,000 vehicles would be exempted in the South Coast Air Basin, causing an increase of three tons per day in air pollutants based on an average use of 5,000 miles/year. However, this estimate is based on exempting only those vehicles which were manufactured for seven years between 1966 and 1973. Since the bill provides a "rolling exemption" for vehicles 25 years or older, each year another model-year would be exempted, ultimately exempting up to 75,000 more cars statewide in 1999, 80,000 more in 2000, and so on. How Clean or Dirty are These Cars? According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, the initial number of vehicles exempted by the bill is modest, approximately 5 percent of the vehicle fleet. However, this relatively small number of vehicles is responsible for 11 percent of the smog test failure rate of the entire vehicle fleet. While many of these vehicles may be owned by collectors and hobbyists which maintain their vehicles and drive them very little, many more are not, and these contribute disproportionately to the emissions inventory. Who Makes Up the Difference for Increased Mobile Emissions? While the author claims that the initial three tons/day of increased emissions in the South Coast Basin is negligible, it represents 2.7 percent of the total statewide emissions reductions attributable to the Smog Check II program. As the number of vehicles exempted from the program increase with time, there will be a resulting increase in emissions. If California is to achieve the emissions reductions attributable to the Smog Check II program as promised in the SIP, those who remain subject to the program will have to meet even higher standards to offset these increases. Why Not a Part of the Overall Discussion on Smog Check II? The administration and the Inspection and Maintenance Review Committee appointed by the Governor, Speaker and Senate Rules Committee is currently holding hearings statewide to develop recommendations to revise the current Smog Check II program. The Assembly stripped and passed several measures to the Senate to provide vehicles for any consensus arrived at between the Legislature and Governor on changes to Smog Check II including AB 57 (Escutia), AB 208 (Migden), AB 999 (Thomson), AB 1492 (Baugh), AB 1368 (Villaraigosa), and AB 1521 (Murray). It may be most appropriate and expeditious to either delay action on this measure until the administration makes their plan known and comprehensive discussions can take place, or alternatively, to amend the measure and move it along as a potential Conference Committee vehicle as the Committee did with all the related Assembly bills. REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support Association of Jensen Owners Automobile Club of Southern California California Automotive Wholesalers' Association California Marine Parks & Harbors Assn., Inc. California Roadsters California State Automobile Association Early Ford V-8 Club Fantasy Junction Forever Classics Car Club Lotus West Car Club Orange County Transportation Authority Sacramento Valley MG Car Club Specialty Equipment Market Association Super Chevy Magazine Valley Oak Auto Opposition Air Quality Products, Inc. California Air Resources Board Department of Consumer Affairs Western States Petroleum Association Analysis prepared by: John Stevens / atrns / (916)445-8800 ==============================================================================