H-1183

AN ACT Relating to clean-fuel vehicles; amending RCW 70.120.020; adding a new section to chapter 82.44 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 70.120 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.19 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 80.28 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 70.94 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 70.120.020 and 1989 c 240 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall conduct ((~~the following programs in a manner that will enhance the successful implementation of the air pollution control system established for motor vehicles by this chapter:~~

~~(a) A voluntary motor vehicle emissions inspection program;~~

~~(b)~~)) a public educational program regarding the health effects of air pollution emitted by motor vehicles; the purpose, operation, and effect of emission control devices and systems; and the effect that proper maintenance of motor vehicle engines has on fuel economy and air pollution emission((~~; and~~

~~(c)~~)) and a public notification program identifying the geographic areas of the state that are designated as being noncompliance areas and emission contributing areas and describing the requirements imposed under this chapter for those areas.

(2)(a) The department((, the superintendent of public instruction, and the state board for community college education shall develop cooperatively, after consultation with automotive trades joint apprenticeship committees approved in accordance with RCW 49.04.040, a program for granting)) shall grant certificates of instruction to persons who successfully complete a course of study, under general requirements established by the director, in the maintenance of motor vehicles, including but not limited to gasoline, diesel, and clean-fuel powered engines, the use of engine and exhaust analysis equipment, and the repair and maintenance of emission control devices. The director may establish and implement procedures for granting certification to persons who successfully complete other training programs or who have received certification from private organizations which meet the requirements established in this subsection.

(b) The department shall make available to the public a list of those persons who have received certificates of instruction under subsection (2)(a) of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 82.44 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The annual excise tax specified in RCW 82.44.020 shall be waived for vehicles meeting the specifications for a "clean-fuel vehicle" and other requirements as provided in section 3 of this act.

(2) This section shall expire June 30, 2000.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 70.120 RCW to read as follows:

(1) By July 1, 1992, the department shall develop in cooperation with the departments of general administration and transportation, and the state energy office, clean-fuel performance and clean-fuel vehicle emissions specifications. In developing such specifications the department shall consider the requirements of the clean air act and the findings of the environmental protection agency, other states, the American petroleum institute, the gas research institute, and the motor vehicles manufacturers association.

(2) The department shall limit the excise tax exemption provided in section 2 of this act to vehicles that:

(a) Achieve highest emission reductions; and

(b) Require modifications or additional costs to purchasers of such vehicles.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.19 RCW to read as follows:

(1) At least thirty percent of all new vehicles purchased through a state contract shall be clean-fuel vehicles. This requirement shall take effect within twelve months of the time that two or more manufacturers produce clean-fuel vehicles in the same weight class.

(2) The percentage of clean-fuel vehicles purchased through a state contract shall increase at the rate of five percent each year.

(3) In meeting the procurement requirement established in this section, preference shall be given to vehicles designed to operate exclusively on clean fuels.

(4) Fuel purchased through a state contract shall be a clean fuel when the fuel is purchased for the operation of a clean-fuel vehicle.

(5) (a) Weight classes are established by the following motor vehicle types:

(i) Passenger cars;

(ii) Light duty trucks, trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating by the vehicle manufacturer of less than eight thousand five hundred pounds;

(iii) Heavy duty trucks, trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating by the vehicle manufacturer of eight thousand five hundred pounds or more.

(b) This subsection does not place an obligation upon the state or its political subdivisions to purchase vehicles in any number or weight class other than to meet the thirty percent requirement.

(6) For the purposes of this section, "clean fuels" and "clean-fuel vehicles" shall be those fuels and vehicles meeting the specifications provided for in section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 70.120 RCW to read as follows:

The department, in cooperation with the departments of general administration and transportation, the utilities and transportation commission, and the state energy office, shall biennially prepare a report to the legislature starting July 1, 1992, on:

(1) Progress of clean fuel and clean-fuel vehicle programs in reducing automotive emissions;

(2) Recommendations for enhancing clean-fuel distribution systems;

(3) Efforts of the state, units of local government, and the private sector to evaluate and utilize "clean fuel" or "clean-fuel vehicles"; and

(4) Recommendations for changes in the existing program to make it more effective and, if warranted, for expansion of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 80.28 RCW to read as follows:

The legislature finds that compressed natural gas offers significant potential to reduce potential from vehicle emissions and to significantly decrease dependence on petroleum-based fuels. The legislature also finds that well-developed and convenient refueling systems are imperative if compressed natural gas is to be widely used by the public. The legislature declares that the development of compressed natural gas refueling stations are in the public interest.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 80.28 RCW to read as follows:

The commission shall identify barriers to the development of refueling stations for vehicles operating on compressed natural gas, and shall develop policies to remove such barriers. In developing such policies, the commission shall consider providing rate incentives to encourage natural gas companies to invest in the infrastructure required by such refueling stations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:

The department may disburse matching grants from funds provided by the legislature from the air pollution control account, created in section 227, chapter ... (Z-0584.2/91), Laws of 1991, to units of local government to partially offset the additional cost of purchasing "clean fuel" and/or operating "clean-fuel vehicles" provided that such vehicles are used for mass transit.