If this has already been posted I apologize.

The Final Stand: California Emissions Exemption Repeal Bill Moves to Governor for Signature or Veto

On Friday (Aug. 27), the California Legislature approved A.B. 2683 with damaging amendments. A.B. 2683 is the legislation that would repeal the state's current rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older. The bill repeals the current pro-hobbyist exemption and replaces it with a law requiring the PERMANENT testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles. The amendments do not protect car collectors and are being opposed by SEMA and the major car clubs and organizations in California. The bill is now in the hands of the Governor who can choose to veto it or sign it into law.

We Urge You to Contact Governor Schwarzenegger IMMEDIATELY to Request His Veto of A.B. 2683!

The Governor may be reached at:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633

To send an Electronic Mail please visit:
http://www.govmail.ca.gov

The bill requires the following:

1. Require vehicles of the post 1975 model year insured as collector cars (driven only to parades, exhibitions, etc.) and at least 35-years old to continue in the Smog Check program for the duration of the vehicle's life.

2. Revise the Smog Check testing regimen for these qualifying vehicles to include a tailpipe test, functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks. The vehicle would be forced to comply with the exhaust emissions standards for the vehicle's class and model year as prescribed by California regulators.

Despite assurances from the bill's sponsors that a good faith effort would be made to address hobbyist concerns, this bill continues to betray the trust of the collector car community. There is nothing that differentiates a 1975 from a 1976 vehicle requiring one be accorded a lifetime exemption while the other is not. Further, with regulators having proposed yearly testing of these older vehicles, this bill could be far costlier and even more burdensome to vehicle collectors in the future. In addition, regulators could set emissions standards to any level that suits their purposes in order to ensure inspection failures of these 1976 and later model cars. Finally, nothing in this bill would stop regulators from bringing 1975 and older vehicles back into the Smog Check program at a later date.


The truth remains the same:
California's current law recognizes the minimal impact of vehicles 30-years old and older on vehicle emissions and air quality.
Vehicles 30-years old and older still constitute a minuscule 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 (a fraction of the miles each year as a new vehicle).
Legislators, regulators and stationary source polluters are feeling the heat from a failed effort to meet air quality goals and are looking for a convenient scapegoat, using false data and inflated annual mileage assumptions to further their case. The old car hobby should not carry the burden of their mistakes!

Please contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org if you have any questions. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

 

Email him and tell him you might be a Republican, because you believe the government should'nt tell you what to do with your 30 year old car.

 

I think he will veto it since he is "anti-regulation".... That's why he is there in the first place, right?

Bob

 

Thanks for the update, Steve. This statement is really the heart of the issue to me. Do you have some data or statistics that support this?

Dave

 

I'm sure he will terminate this bill written by girlie-men congressmen!!!

 

Or you can just move out of a left wing ultra-Liberal state to somewhere where they have reasonable rules and regs.
When Kalifornia sinks into the ocean I sure won't shed any tears.

Dep

 

But he's also big on environmental issues. It's a coin-toss.

 

well, if he does that then my car is the first thats going on the market for 5000 smack-a-roo's and that includes the 600 watt amp and Two 10" subs moving 250 RMS. new brake system, chrome valve covers, and probably a cheap 250 dollar paint job so it looks good.

 

Another reason not to move to CA when I retire. I do love San Diego but those idiots up in the state house just kill me.

 

Welcome to my hell !!

Arizona tests EVERYTHING 1967 and newer. No rolling exceptions, no exceptions for collector cars - nothing. I get to get tested EVERY FRICKING YEAR !!

 

That can't be the whole state. If it were, what would be the benefit of registering a car in Arizona? People around here do it to avoid smog checks. (Nevada and Oregon are used, too.)

 

Find that hard to believe considering he was the one who talked GM into offering the original hummer to the public. He's been driving those things for years.

 

that won't happen, but their off-base & twisted thinking will somehow spread thru the U.S like a virus.

 

PA is a pain in the butt in many ways but it is old car friendly. I paid $75 for a permanent Antique registration. Its good FOREVER. Never an emmissions check....never a saftey inspection...Nuttin. Now you cant drive many miles and the car must remain stock...even the wheels. (At least stock enough to fool the police). That is fine with me cause the stock look is what I'm going for anyway.

 

Edgamacate me. Would the late 70s cars have to pass today's emissions standards or the late 70's standards?

 

Who says "that won't happen"? All the experts I herd talking speak of it as a sure thing. And we have virus control in the Midwest

Dep

 

Well, I've been in contact with my representative, who thankfully voted against it, although it didn't seem to help much. I've also emailed the governor. Don't know what that's worth either, but at least I've done something.

This really sucks.

 

Whatever standards were in effect for the model year.

 

what about cars with engine conversions? like say my 77 vette with a ls1 engine? i was led to believe that you can go to a referee station and they will evaluate you car. and if it passes for the year of the new engine, you will receive a letter or emission sticker for your car outline it's "new" level of complience.

chris

 

any KALIFORNIANS out there? hello, anybody?


chris