LEGISLATIVE ALERT

CARB May Look to Eliminate Emissions
Testing Exemption for Older Cars

In early 2001, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is likely to pursue legislation in the California State legislature to repeal the state's current rolling emissions test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older. If CARB is successful, emissions tests could be required of vehicles as far back as the 1966 model year. In other words, CARB is working to ensure that older vehicles are NEVER excused from the SMOG Check program.

We Urge You to Contact Your State Legislators to Support 
the Current Emissions Exemption

• Existing law in California exempts all pre 1974 vehicles from emissions testing until 2003. After 2003, vehicles 30 years old and older will be exempt from emissions testing.
   

• California's emissions testing exemption recognizes the minimal impact of antique and classic vehicle emissions and air quality.
   

• Vehicles 30 years old and older constitute a small portion of the overall vehicle population and are a poor source from which to look for emissions reduction.
   

• Antique and classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven and have little impact on California's pollution problems.
   

• Expanding emissions testing could unfairly force 1960s-era vehicles - vehicles not originally equipped with pollution control systems - to undergo emissions tests.
   

• Expanding emissions testing to take in older vehicles could lead to increasing the pool of vehicles eligible for scrappage, including 1960s-era cars.

Contact. your state legislators to oppose repealing California's emissions exemption for older vehicles. To find out who your legislators are, contact the California Senate general information line at 916-445-4311 and the California Assembly information line at 916-445-2323. This information can also be accessed via the internet at www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html or by calling the SEMA Washington, DC office at 202-783-6007. Please fax  a copy of your letters to us at 202-783-6024 or mail to:

SEMA Washington Office
                        1317 F St., NW, Ste. 500
                       Washington, D.C.  20004
                    Attn: Steve McDonald/Brian Caudill