California Bill to Exempt Pre-1981 Vehicles from Emissions Inspection Requirement Approved by Committee; Moves to Appropriations

• S.B. 1239 recognizes the minimal impact of pre-1981vehicles on emissions and air quality.
   
• S.B. 1239 acknowledges that pre-1981 vehicles still constitute a minuscule portion of the overall vehicle population and are a poor source from which to look for emissions reduction.
   
• S.B. 1239 endorses the fact that pre-1981 vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven (a fraction of the miles each year as a new vehicle). 
   
• For years, legislators, regulators and stationary source polluters have felt the heat from failed efforts to meet air quality goals and have looked to older cars as a convenient scapegoat, using false data and inflated annual mileage assumptions to further their case.  S.B. 1239 helps validate the truth.  The old car hobby should not continue to carry the burden of past mistakes!

Overview: Legislation (S.B. 1239) to exempt all motor vehicles prior to the 1981 model year from the emissions inspection requirement was approved by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on a narrow 6 – 5 vote.  Current law requires the lifetime testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles.  The bill will next be considered by the Appropriations Committee.