HB 81-MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS INSPECTION    REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER, bill sponsor, explained the bill streamlines existing law by improving enforcement, providing consistency between overseeing departments and providing relief from the extraneous testing requirements. The purpose for increasing the fine from $200 to as much as $500 is to improve compliance. The benefit is that the air stays clean and Alaska continues to qualify for federal street and highway money. The bill removes the exemption from alternative fuel vehicles and requires that the registration period not extend beyond the expiration period on the emission certificate. When the title of a pre-1987 vehicle is transferred, the emissions test requirement is changed from not more than a year old to not more than two years old, which removes extraneous testing. He said HB 81 is a consumer protection bill in that Anchorage and Fairbanks residents can be assured that the car they're buying isn't a lemon. 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. The bill expands enforcement of the emission standards to include DMV, DEC and the municipalities of Anchorage and Fairbanks. SENATOR JOHN COWDERY asked what happens if the inspection decal is lost. RON KING, manager of the Air Non-Point & Mobile Sources Program, said replacement decals would be available through the local inspection emissions programs in both municipalities. The systems are computer-linked so they could verify that the vehicle was in compliance. CHUCK HOSACK, Deputy Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, testified via teleconference in support of HB 81 because it would reduce the public's confusion with regard to inspections. SENATOR COWDERY asked what the process would be if you lived in Anchorage, but registered your car in Juneau. MR. HOSACK explained the residence address of the vehicle owner is used as the basis for inspection requirements. There is a waiver for vehicles that are used outside the emission area, but once the vehicle is returned to the emission inspection area it would require inspection. SCOTT LEIST from Fairbanks testified via teleconference to ask whether all vehicles in the inspection area would need emission testing and would the tests be required annually. RON KING, program manager with the Department of Environmental Conservation, replied the inspection programs would remain the same. In Fairbanks, cars that were built after 1974 must be inspected and in Anchorage the requirement is that cars built after 1967 must be inspected. By statute, the emission test is and would remain a biannual program. MR. LEIST expressed support for the bill. JAMES ARMSTRONG from Anchorage expressed support for the legislation. SENATOR GRETCHEN GUESS made a motion to move HB 81 and attached zero fiscal note from committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, it was so ordered.