There was an article in today's LA Times summarizing the legislation that Governator Schwartzennegger has signed into law. Disturbingly, the list included the following:
"Old Cars: A bill ending the exemption on smog checks that cars at least 30 years old now get and requiring emissions tests for all vehicles made since 1976. (AB 2683 by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster)."
Fearful that my SB100 smog exemption might have come to an end, I read the bill, as well as the relevant sections of the Health and Safety Code which the bill amends. The text of the amendment and the Code are confusing, to say the least, and the interpretation of the provisions is made even more difficult by the fact that there is another amending bill that must be read in conjunction with AB2683. That said, here is my understanding of the current state of the law:
- SB100 survives. Those of us who have registered our cars as specially constructed vehicles can continue to enjoy the smog exemption as it previously applied. AB2683 does not appear to change the SB100 status quo.
- If you did NOT register your car under the SB100 exemption, but instead relied on a smog exemption because your car either (i) was manufactured before 1974; or (ii) was more than 30 model years old, then you may be toast. The new bill tightens the exemption so that it now only applies if your car was "manufactured" before 1976.
I would be interested to know if there is any industry commentary on this bill, as it took me by surprise. In particular, if anyone hears a contrary view on the bill's effect on SB100, please post here.
"Old Cars: A bill ending the exemption on smog checks that cars at least 30 years old now get and requiring emissions tests for all vehicles made since 1976. (AB 2683 by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster)."
Fearful that my SB100 smog exemption might have come to an end, I read the bill, as well as the relevant sections of the Health and Safety Code which the bill amends. The text of the amendment and the Code are confusing, to say the least, and the interpretation of the provisions is made even more difficult by the fact that there is another amending bill that must be read in conjunction with AB2683. That said, here is my understanding of the current state of the law:
- SB100 survives. Those of us who have registered our cars as specially constructed vehicles can continue to enjoy the smog exemption as it previously applied. AB2683 does not appear to change the SB100 status quo.
- If you did NOT register your car under the SB100 exemption, but instead relied on a smog exemption because your car either (i) was manufactured before 1974; or (ii) was more than 30 model years old, then you may be toast. The new bill tightens the exemption so that it now only applies if your car was "manufactured" before 1976.
I would be interested to know if there is any industry commentary on this bill, as it took me by surprise. In particular, if anyone hears a contrary view on the bill's effect on SB100, please post here.
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