I apologize to the non-CA TIGER owners. This is an interesting read.
Phil
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Message on bill sb_42 : billroot:[current.sb.from0000.sb00
Author: Senate-News-Reply@SEN.CA.GOV at ~INTERNET
Date: 7/16/97 9:31 AM
BILL ANALYSIS
SB 42
Date of Hearing: July 16, 1997
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Carole Migden, Chairwoman
SB 42 (Kopp) - As Amended: 2/13/97
Policy Committee: Transportation Vote: 17 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill broadens a Smog Check II exemption by replacing the
exemption for 1965 or older cars with one that exempts cars that
are 25 or more model-years old at the time of annual registration
renewal.
FISCAL EFFECT
1) "Smog Certificate" revenue loss to the Vehicle Inspection and
Repair Fund of $1.8 million in FY 1997-98 (six months), $3.8
million in FY 1998-99, and increasing annually thereafter.
(This fund supports both Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) in
the Department of Consumer Affairs (90%) and the Air Resources
Board (ARB) (10%).
2) Minor, if any, cost savings to the BAR resulting from fewer
motor vehicles subject to Smog Check II.
BACKGROUND
1) Rationale. The author argues that cars 25 years and older have
a difficult time passing smog tests because parts are hard to
find, new testing procedures are "arbitrary" and testing
"cutpoints" are set at levels more stringent that the
manufacturer's specifications for the model years in question.
In addition, the bill is supported by several "classic car"
clubs that wish to have their 1966-73 cars immediately exempted
from the more stringent Smog Check II requirements. (All motor
vehicle models 1965 and older are already exempt from Smog
Check II.)
2) Rolling Exemption. The Smog Check II exemption provided by
this bill is broader and will grow as time passes. Current law
exempts about 150,000 cars that are model year 1965 and older
and that number is declining. This bill immediately exempts
about another 470,000 cars (model year 1966 through 1973) and
that number is likely to increase most years after that.
3) Classics vs Workhorses. It is not possible to discern how many
of these cars, model year 1966 and newer, are restored and
maintained as "classic" show-condition vehicles and how many
are simply older cars that are used as basic forms of
transportation in whatever condition they happen to be in.
While the broader exemption will benefit owners of mint
condition Maseratis and Jaguars, it will also benefit owners of
beat-up Pacers and Pintos. Most cars in the 1966-73 model year
range that are currently registered are not maintained as
classic show cars and their annual mileage and total emissions
output is considerably higher than the "classics" in these
model years.
4) Overall Emissions Impact. According to the ARB, cars of the
1966-73 model years are driven an average of 5,000 miles a
year. (The average late model car is driven about 13,000 miles
a year.) The BAR states that these model year cars are
responsible for 11% of the smog test failure rate, while making
up only about 4% of the total vehicle fleet required to take
biennial smog tests. The South Coast Air Quality Management
District estimates an increase of three tons of emissions per
day in their jurisdiction alone as a result of this bill.
Statewide the total increase in emissions is likely to be
substantial and growing as time passes. If California must
meet emissions reductions attributable to Smog Check II as
promised in the State Implementation Plan (SIP), then those
cars remaining subject to Smog Check II will be forced to meet
even higher standards to offset the emission increases
resulting from this bill. In a larger sense, to the extent air
quality goals become more difficult to achieve via mobile
emissions reductions, the emphasis would naturally have to
shift to stationary sources.
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