California Bill to Require ANNUAL Emissions Tests for Vehicles 15-Years Old and Older Passes Assembly; Moves to Senate

 

Legislation (A.B. 616) to require annual Smog check inspections for vehicles 15-years old and older has been approved by the California Assembly and has been sent to the Senate for consideration.  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. 616.  The bill has been now referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

 

We Urge You to Contact Members of the Senate Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Oppose A.B. 616

 

• A.B. 616 ignores the minimal impact vintage cars have on air quality. 
  
  
• A.B. 616 could entice vintage car owners into allowing these vehicles to be scrapped.
  
  
• A.B. 616 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. 616 ignores the fact that classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven.
  
  
•  A.B. 616 would increase costs by creating an annual inspection fee for owners of these vehicles.
  
  
• A.B. 616 represents another attempt by California legislators and regulators to scapegoat older cars.

Please contact members of the California Senate Transportation Committee immediately by phone, fax or e-mail to request their opposition to A.B. 616.   

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org.  Thank you for your assistance. 

Senate Transportation Committee

Senator Alan Lowenthal (Chair)

Senator.Lowenthal@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4027

 

Senator Tom McClintock (Vice Chair)

Senator.McClintock@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4019

 

Senator Roy Ashburn

Senator.Ashburn@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4018

 

Senator Gilbert Cedillo

Senator.Cedillo@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4022

 

Senator Ellen Corbett

Senator.Corbett@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4010

 

Senator Robert Dutton

Senator.Dutton@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4031

 

Senator Tom Harman

Senator.Harman@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4035

 

Senator Christine Kehoe

Senator.Kehoe@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4039

 

Senator Joe Simitian

Senator.Simitian@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4011

 

Senator Tom Torlakson

Senator.Torlakson@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4007

 

Senator Leland Yee

Senator.Yee@senate.ca.gov

(916) 651-4008

 

 

Bill, I'd just like to say 'thank you' for posting this important heads-up about the California state legislature's latest move to squeeze classic cars off the roads. It's clear that this is only the precursor to future laws that will effectively make ownership of older cars more expensive and less attractive.

It should serve as an early warning to owners in other states as well. CARB regulations are looked to by emissions bureacrats everywhere from Washington, DC to state capitols across the nation. If this law passes in California, it will only add encouragement and momentum to similar efforts elsewhere.

It's so much easier/less politically dangerous to single out a relatively small class of car owners and make them the smog scapegoats, rather than address the real/larger sources of air pollution. When major campaign contributions come from those industries and groups, who are organized and who lobby continuously and aggressively for their own interests, versus classic car owners who aren't/don't, the outcome is predictable--and inevitable.

Each time we had to smog check our cars it cost over $50, just for the test. The state fee for registration renewal comes on top of that. By passing this law, California will double the basic cost of keeping an older car on the road. And that's not including the additional cost of any repairs that might have to be made, just to meet the smog test standards.

It doesn't bode well for future generations of classic Corvette owners. Young people may look at the cost and hassle of annual testing and decide that purchasing and preserving/restoring a 15-year-old car just isn't worth it.

And that will be a shame.

I think the members of the NC Dept. of Transportation must love old cars. If your car is 35 years old or older, no inspection sticker is required. Also for county tax purposes, the accessed value of any car 35 years old or older cannot exceed $500. My county taxes on my car is $4.72. 

There are no inspections in Indiana.  However, when I see a clunker going down the road blowing a load of smoke, it almost makes me wish there were some requirements.

Bill, thanks for the info.  I will write.  maybe you could make up a "standard letter" that CA people could copy and send.

I have one important question:  What about the CA Counties that are Exempt from smog.  For example where I live: Siskiyou Co., I do not have to do any smog any time except when I buy or sell.  No annual smog regardless of the age of vehicle.  I know this also applies to Lassen and Modoc County.  Maybe more CA Counties are exempt too.

One more thing....this is BULL##IT....  I agree strongly with all of your points!!........steve  steves742007-06-20 08:47:02

Virginia is good to old cars.