URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT (UPDATE)
California Legislation to Allow Certain Vehicles to Pay Fee Instead of Passing Smog Test Dies as Legislature Adjourns
Legislation (A.B. 550) to allow an owner of a motor vehicle that is subject to the smog check program to pay a $200 smog abatement fee in lieu of passing a smog test was not considered by committee before the legislature adjourned for the year. It may be considered in 2016. Under the bill, the vehicle would have had to meet specified criteria in order to qualify.
Under current law, the smog check program requires inspection of motor vehicles upon initial registration, biennially upon renewal of registration, upon transfer of ownership, and in certain other circumstances. However, the law exempts specified vehicles from inspection, including motor vehicles manufactured prior to the 1976 model-year. This bill would have allowed the owner of a motor vehicle that is required to take a smog test to pay the abatement fee if the motor vehicle is 30 or more model-years old; was manufactured during or after the 1976 model-year; failed a smog test; and failed a subsequent smog test after necessary repairs were made.
Thank you to all who participated in supporting this bill.