Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/29/2003 01:39 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 81-MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS INSPECTION
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER, sponsor of HB 81, explained the bill
streamlines the motor vehicle emission statutes to improve
compliance and enforcement, to provide consistency between
departments that oversee the emission program and to cut down on
extraneous testing requirements.
The bill is technical and addresses a program that is applicable
to just Anchorage and Fairbanks. The bill increases the fine for
non-compliance to $500. Because the purpose of the $300 increase
is to improve compliance, the judge may use discretion to waive
or reduce the fine.
The bill removes the exemption from alternative fuel vehicles
because they too pollute if not properly maintained. In
addition, it addresses loopholes in the registration program by
requiring that the registration not extend beyond the expiration
period on the emission certificate. Under current statute, when
the title of a pre-1987 vehicle is transferred the emissions
inspection cannot be more than a year old. HB 81 provides that
the inspection may not be more than two years. This doesn't
lessen the requirements for older vehicles it removes extraneous
testing requirements for vehicle transfer.
The bill is a consumer protection bill in that Anchorage and
Fairbanks residents can be assured that the car they're buying
is compliant. Inspection decals must be displayed on windshields
and the inspection record must be on file at DMV. If a car isn't
compliant, the dealer must be able to explain why it is not.
Finally, the bill expands enforcement of the emission standards
to include DMV, DEC and the municipalities of Anchorage and
Fairbanks so consumers may report emission offenders to any of
those agencies.
CHAIR JOHN COWDERY asked whether the sponsor had a year certain
date because antique cars would likely not be able to conform.
REPRESENTATIVE MEYER deferred to the AMATS [Anchorage
Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions] representative.
SENATOR DONNY OLSON asked what it would typically cost to
correct emissions deficiencies in a ten year old car and a forty
year old car.
REPRESENTATIVE MEYER replied the average emission repair cost is
$250, but the bill could run as high as $2,000 if a new
catalytic converter was needed.
SENATOR OLSON asked about cars built before there were catalytic
converters.
RON KING, program manager of Air Non-Point & Mobile Sources with
the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), explained
that Anchorage has a test on vehicles built in 1968 and after
and the vehicle is judged according to the standards under which
it was manufactured. A car built in 1968 isn't held to the same
standard as a car built in 2002.
SENATOR OLSON asked if there were no inspection requirements for
pre 1968 cars.
MR. KING said the oldest car inspected in either Anchorage or
Fairbanks was built in 1968 so there is no set standard on cars
built before that year.
He said DEC supports the legislation. The program has helped
both Anchorage and Fairbanks achieve health based air standards
for carbon monoxide and is designed to continue to operate
efficiently with minimal impact to citizens.
CHAIR COWDERY asked about buying older vehicles for parts.
MR. KING explained there is a mechanism to allow title-only
transfers, which means the vehicle could not be used on the road
unless or until it meets emission requirements.
SENATOR OLSON asked about other equipment such as farm
equipment.
MR. KING said vehicles that aren't required to be inspected
because they aren't licensed for operation on the road aren't
covered. Farm vehicles may use the road, but they aren't
licensed for operation on the road.
SENATOR OLSON asked about motorcycles.
MR. KING replied motorcycles are exempt from the inspection
program because they don't typically operate during the winter
months.
JAMES ARMSTRONG, AMATS committee coordinator, pointed to the
supporting letters in the packets. He expressed appreciation to
Representative Meyer for sponsoring the bill on behalf of AMATS.
CHAIR COWDERY asked for the will of the committee.
SENATOR THOMAS WAGONER made a motion to move CSHB 81(STA) and
zero fiscal note from committee with individual recommendations.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
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