SEMA LEGISLATIVE ALERT. Here we go again! Legislation (A.B. 859) has been reintroduced in the California Assembly by Assemblyman Dave Jones (Assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov) to require annual Smog check inspections for vehicles 15-years old and older. 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. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee.
We Urge You to Contact Assemblyman Jones and Members of the Assembly Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Oppose A.B. 859
• A.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, fax or e-mail to request their opposition to A.B. 859.
Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.
Assembly Transportation Committee
Assemblymember Mike Eng - Chair
Phone: 916/319-2049
Email: Assemblymember.Eng@asm.ca.gov
Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries
Phone: 916/319-2066
Email: Assemblymember.Jeffries@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield
Phone: 916/319-2040
Email: Assemblymember.Blumenfield@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Joan Buchanan
Phone: 916/319-2015
Email: Assemblymember.Buchanan@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Connie Conway
Phone: 916/319-2034
Email: Assemblymember.Conway@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Warren Furutani
Phone: 916/319-2055
Email: Assemblymember.Furutani@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani
Phone: 916/319-2017
Email: Assemblymember.Galgiani@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Martin Garrick
Phone: 916/319-2074
Email: Assemblymember.Garrick@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal
Phone: 916/319-2054
Email: Assemblymember.Lowenthal@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Jeff Miller
Phone: 916/319-2071
Email: Assemblymember.Miller@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Roger Niello
Phone: 916/319-2005
Email: Assemblymember.niello@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember John Perez
Phone: 916/319-2046
Email: Assemblymember.John.Perez@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Jose Solorio
Phone: 916/319-2069
Email: Assemblymember.solorio@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Tom Torlakson
Phone: 916/319-2011
Email: Assemblymember.Torlakson@assembly.ca.gov
Good news and bad news.
I met with Assemblymember Mike Eng last night at a fundraiser. He said:
1) This AB was put on hold.
2) The states are waiting to receive Obama’s over-arching emissions regulations.
By SVT Russ. May 22nd, 2009 at 9:11 amIn NH there was no such thing as emission testing until 2 yrs ago! It was great!
Now its 96 and newer cars get plugged in to the computer.
Im sure glad i dont live in california.
By nick. March 29th, 2009 at 7:36 pmCalifornia rules the emission testing deal.
By Bill A. March 14th, 2009 at 6:45 pmThey are the ones that have involved other areas of the country with their BS testing.
They are the ones with the problems, but it seems that other areas of the country seemed to get stuck with their legestration by the asshole local or state polititions.
Maybe an earthquake will get their ass off our backs.
IMO, cars that are over 15 years old are owned by either 1) enthusiasts that drive their cars infrequently, or 2) lower income folks who cannot afford the annual smog check.
I know Assemblymember Mike Eng. I will have to talk to him about this one.
By SVT Russ. March 13th, 2009 at 11:25 am“They” keep pushing the “consumer society” adgenda, yet all the while preaching Renew, Reuse, Recycle.
Why?
By Beoweolf. March 13th, 2009 at 6:40 amSimply put - because it easy to motivate the “Public” to regulate (thats actually, “Over Regulate”) any supposed chronic issue, as long as it against other people. Even worse, there is no penalty for revisting the issue, year after year after year. Its an unfortunate quirk of human nature (widely used by spouses and children)… if you whine, long enough and are annoying enough you can get compliance through irratation no matter how illogical the argument.
We’ve got them here in Canada, well, Ontario anyways where cars 3 yrs and older up to 20 years back have to get it bi-annually. It’s a bit of a crock, my 2000 F-150 pollutes a hair more now than new which wasn’t much. They target the wrong crowd in my opinion because the cars that can’t pass get passed off with a waiver you pay a bit more for to slip through the cracks. Money grab anyone?
By 64GALAXIE514. March 13th, 2009 at 6:25 amBig deal!!!! I’m in Georgia and we have had emissions testing for years. Currently on the books in many counties cars 1984 and newer have to have yearly emissions test completed before you can get your current year tag/registration. There are two different versions. 1 for 1996 obdII cars and new, 2nd is for 1995 and older cars and is more demanding…..
By ga289stocker. March 12th, 2009 at 1:39 pm