SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 5886

               As Passed Senate, March 16, 1999

Title:  An act relating to adopting new air emission standards for motor vehicles.

Brief Description:  Changing vehicle emission inspection program provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators Fraser, Fairley, Kline, Thibaudeau and Franklin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Environmental Quality & Water Resources:  2/26/99, 3/2/99 [DP, DNP].

Passed Senate, 3/16/99, 32-14.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fraser, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Jacobsen and McAuliffe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Honeyford, Morton and Swecker.

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786-7461)

Background:  Certain motor vehicles, located within a vehicle emission testing area, must have a valid emission inspection or compliance certificate prior to being licensed or transferred.  To be valid, the certificate must have been issued within six months prior to the license application or renewal.

Last year the Legislature passed a vehicle emission testing exemption, effective January 1, 2000, for vehicles less than five years old or more than 25 years old.  The act required the Department of Ecology (DOE) to study the amount of pollution that would be created by this exemption and propose a method of recapturing the emissions "lost" by the new exemption.  DOE's study recommended recapturing the "lost" emissions by requiring emission testing on a discrete class of used cars sold by licensed motor vehicle dealers.

Washington State has several areas that are very close to violating federal clean air standards and are at risk of "nonattainment."  If a state is in nonattainment, it may be placed under federal regulation for 10 years.  "Point source" pollution from industry is the easiest area to target for reduction when a state is in nonattainment.  However, motor vehicles contribute more pollution to the air than do "point source" industries and many people believe that any solution to air pollution issues should first seek to address vehicle emissions.

Summary of Bill:  The emission testing exemption schedule is modified as follows:  (1) January 1, 2002 C vehicles less than three or more than 25 years old are exempt; and (2) January 1, 2005 C vehicles less than five or more than 25 years old are exempt.

The validity of the emission testing certificate is extended from six months to 14 months.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 24, 1999.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on July 1, 2002.

Testimony For:  Adopting the California new vehicle emission standards will contribute to solving the long-term problems this state will face.  These standards will result in a fleet of cars that is 40 percent cleaner.  The cost to the manufacturers will be between $40-200 depending on the type of vehicle.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Mary Burg, Stu Clark, DOE; Mike Ryherd, Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency.