ANALYSIS OF HB 1032

HOUSE AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 6, 2001

$Prohibits the Department of Ecology from conducting transient emission tests (IM 240 tests) as part of the motor vehicle emission inspection.

$Limits the length of a contract between the Department of Ecology and a vehicle emissions inspection facility to a maximum of five years.

Background:

The Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) conducts emission inspections on motor vehicles registered in the portions of the state designated by DOE as Aemissions contributing areas.@  An area of the state may only be identified as an emissions contributing area if the DOE first finds that the area is within a Anon-compliance@ area for motor vehicle emissions.  Currently in the Washington Administrative Code, the DOE has listed the cities of Seattle, Bellevue, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Everett as non-compliance areas.  Within each non-compliance area, the DOE identifies by zip code the smallest land area containing registered motor vehicles significantly contributing to air quality degradation.  Vehicles registered within the identified zip codes that are older than five years or newer than twenty-five years are subject to emissions testing biennially.

The DOE has promulgated administrative rules outlining emission tests that are to be conducted on motor vehicles registered within emissions contributing areas.  These tests do not include the transient emission test, or IM 240 test. The IM 240 test consists of a 240-second emissions test while the vehicle=s engine is driven through a computer monitored driving cycle of acceleration, deceleration and idling.  Emissions testing in Washington consists instead of steady state tests, meaning either constant idling or a fixed level of acceleration.    

The DOE is authorized to establish and operate, through, contract vehicle emission inspection stations.  Currently the DOE reports that it has contracted with Envirotest Systems, Inc to supply all of its emissions testing.  The current contract expires on June 31^st, 2002 and will be open to competitive bid.

Summary:

The Department of Ecology (DOE) may not include in its motor vehicle emission testing procedure a transient emission test, also known as the IM 240 test.  The DOE may not enter into a contract with a motor vehicle emissions inspection facility for a period over five years.

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:None requested.

Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of regular session.