Re: Smog Cops at it again in California...

[James Montebello <jamesm@domain.elided>]

On Fri, 23 Aug 2002, Steve Richards wrote:
>   What is AB1493?  The bill the our current Governor, Gray Davis, signed
> allows for CARB (California Air Resources Board) to designate
> fees/assessments to any California Vehicle that produces 3Green House
> Gasses2 ie: Carbon Dioxide.  As the bill is written, any vehicle registered
> or not, used on public road or not, is covered.

Either the bill number above is incorrect, or this statement doesn't
jibe with my reading of the same bill.  The full text of the bill as
signed is available on the web (http://www.assembly.ca.gov).

It's a short bill, and the thrust appears to be aimed at reducing the
greenhouse gas emissions of *future* vehicles.  It won't take effect
until 2006, and will only affect motor vehicles made for or after the 2009
model year.  Not a lot of Alfas in California will be covered by that. :-)

My reading is the bill doesn't involve applying fees to any existing
motor vehicles.  Indeed, it says exactly the opposite:

(a) No later than January 1, 2005, the state board shall
develop and adopt regulations that achieve the maximum feasible and
cost-effective reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from motor
vehicles.
[...]
   (d) The regulations adopted by the state board pursuant to
subdivision (a) shall not require any of the following:
   (1) The imposition of additional fees and taxes on any motor
vehicle, fuel, or vehicle miles traveled, pursuant to this section or
any other provision of law.
[from SEC 3]

It's late, I read the bill quickly, I'm not a lawyer or a legislator,
I may be completely wrong.

james montebello
san mateo, ca
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