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
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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
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