Think you are driving down easy street in your pre-1976 classic truck or car in sunny ol’ California? Think again as a dark cloud of proposed new emissions laws threatens what you hold dear.
This is straight from this weeks SEMA eNews email:
SEMA eNews, Vol. 11, No. 12 - Mar 20, 2008
OLD CAR EMISSIONS EXEMPTION THREATENED IN EIGHT CALIFORNIA COUNTIES
Legislation (S.B. 1549) has been introduced in the California State Senate to repeal the state’s current emissions-test exemption for pre-'76 vehicles registered by new owners in the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. The District includes eight counties in State’s Central Valley: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the valley portion of Kern
Under the bill, after January 1, 2009, new owners seeking to register a pre-'76 vehicle in these eight counties would be subject to emissions tests for the life of the vehicle. S.B. 1549 is scheduled to be considered by the California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on April 1, 2008.
If this sounds scary, but you think you’re safe because you don’t live here you could be next! The areas in affected in the proposition are fairly rural which are areas usually not targeted by this kind of action and usually are home to more older vehicles than major metropolitan cities. If the bill passes none of us in the country will be safe…more from SEMA’s website
Old Car Emissions Exemption Threatened in 8 California Counties; Hearing Scheduled for April 1
Legislation (S.B. 1549) has been introduced in the California State Senate by Senator Dean Florez (senator.florez@sen.ca.gov) to repeal the state’s current emissions test exemption for pre-1976 vehicles registered by new owners in the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. The District includes eight counties in California’s Central Valley: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, <Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the valley portion of Kern. Under the bill, after Jan. 1, 2009, new owners seeking to register a pre-1976 vehicle in these eight counties would be subject to emissions tests for the life of the vehicle. S.B. 1549 is scheduled to be considered by the California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on April 1, 2008.
We Urge You to Call, E-Mail or Fax Senator Florez and Members of the Senate Transportation Committee (List Attached) Immediately to Oppose S.B. 1549
Existing law in California exempts all pre-1976 vehicles from emissions testing.
California’s current emissions testing exemption recognizes the minimal impact of pre-1976 motor vehicles on emissions and air quality
Pre-1976 vehicles constitute a small and shrinking portion of the overall vehicle population in California and are a poor source from which to look for further emissions reductions.
Pre-1976 antique and classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained.
Repeal of the exemption in the San JoaquinValley could lead the Legislature to target other areas in the state in the future.
Legislators and regulators are again feeling the heat from a failed effort to meet air quality goals and are looking for a convenient scapegoat. The old car hobby should not carry the burden of their mistakes, as it has in previous amendments to the old car exemption!
Please phone, fax or e-mail Senator Florez to express your opposition to S.B. 1549. Senator Florez can be reached at:
E-Mail: Senator.Florez@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4016
Fax: (916) 327-5989
Please phone, fax or e-mail members of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee to express your opposition to S.B. 1549
California Senate Transportation & Housing Committee
(Click here to email all Committee members)
Let us all get off our duff’s no matter where you live and write, call, email or all of the above these senators and let them know how we feel so this bill doesn’t pass and threaten each and everyone of us!