BILL REQ. #:  S-4173.1 

Read first time 01/15/08.   Referred to Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications.

     AN ACT Relating to presale and ongoing disclosure of greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions from new motor vehicles; adding a new section to chapter 70.120A RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature intends that new motor vehicles in Washington permanently display clear and easy to understand information disclosing a new motor vehicle's greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions. Further, the legislature intends that presale and ongoing disclosure of such emissions serve as a means of educating consumers, other motorists, and the general public about the sources of greenhouse gas, their impact, available options, and in particular the role and contribution of automobiles and other motor vehicles.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 70.120A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) No model year two thousand ten or subsequent model year motor vehicle may be sold in Washington unless there is securely, conspicuously, and permanently affixed in a clearly visible location a label on which the manufacturer clearly discloses comparative greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions for that new motor vehicle.
     (2) The label required by this section should include a greenhouse gas index or rating system that contains quantitative and graphical information presented in a continuous, easy-to-read scale that compares the greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions from the motor vehicle with the average projected greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions from all motor vehicles of the same model year. For reference purposes, the index or rating system should also identify the greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions from the motor vehicle model of that same model year that has the lowest greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions.
     (3) To ensure that the disclosure label is useful and informative to consumers, other motorists, and the general public, the department of ecology shall, in designing the label and to the extent feasible within its existing resources:
     (a) Seek input from automotive consumers, graphic design professionals, automotive dealers, persons with expertise in environmental labeling, and relevant state and federal agencies; and
     (b) Consider other relevant label formats that are consistent with this section, including those proposed for use in California and New York.
     (4) The index or rating system included in the label under subsection (2) of this section shall be updated as necessary by the department to ensure that the differences in greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions among motor vehicles are readily apparent to the consumer.
     (5) An automobile manufacturer may apply to the department of ecology for approval of an alternative to the disclosure labeling requirement that is at least as effective in providing notification and disclosure of the motor vehicle's greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions as is the labeling required by this section.
     (6) The definitions in this section apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Greenhouse gas" has the same definition as in RCW 80.80.010.
     (b) "Motor vehicle" has the same definition as in RCW 70.120.010.
     (7) The department of ecology may adopt such rules as are necessary to implement this section.
     (8) The department of ecology shall provide a status report to appropriate committees of the legislature on or before December 1, 2008, outlining its approach and progress toward implementing a greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions disclosure labeling program for Washington.