The Sunnyvale Sun

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Bill being considered in state capital could help clear the air

By MICHELLE MAGHRIBI

Living in the Bay Area with its notoriously bad air, did you ever see a smoking vehicle and wonder why it's on the road and, more importantly, whether it could make you sick?

These same questions prompted the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Assemblywoman Sally Lieber to co-sponsor legislation that would require vehicles to pass a visible smoke test as part of a regular California smog test inspection.

Lieber represents the 22nd District, which includes both Sunnyvale and Cupertino. She introduced the bill Jan. 19, 2006.

"Currently, there are tests for carbon monoxide, but not for smoke or particulate matter, which is probably more harmful to human health," she said. "People are getting used to calling 1.800.EXHAUST (394.2878) to report having seen smoking vehicles.

"Nevada has had the test since 1983, so it makes sense to get the requirement in California."

No additional test equipment is needed. What's checked is whether a vehicle is visibly smoking.

According to Lieber, supporters of the bill include the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Lung Association.

The bill (AB1870) aims to help "clear California's air."

Approved May 4 with a bipartisan vote of 58-9 by the California State Assembly, the legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing.

If passed in committee, it will move on to the full Senate for a vote.

If approved by the Senate, the bill would require Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature to become law.

Schwarzenegger "has expressed a desire to better California's air quality," Lieber said. "He also signed a more controversial bill than this one about a year ago having to do with a 30-year rolling smog check exemption for cars."

Lieber's principal consultant, Harry Adams, said the 2004 smog-related bill was controversial because it ended the 30-year rolling exemption for cars built in 1976 or later. Under the new law, cars that are model year 1975 or older have permanent exemption for smog. Those that are 1976 or newer would be required to pass a smog test.

"Our rationale was that older cars typically produce more pollutants, so why should they not have to meet clean air standards when they become 30 years old?" Adams said.

According to published reports in 2004, it was estimated by the California Air Resources Board and the Department of Consumer Affairs that approximately 200,000 of California vehicles emit smoke.

The present bill was suggested last year by BAAQMD.

"It sounded like it made a lot of sense," Lieber said. What also made sense to Lieber was state help for low-income drivers who may own the smoking cars. "It may give them the financial assistance to fix their cars," she said. "Right now, there is none."

If the legislation passes, qualified low-income motorists who fail the biennial test could be eligible to receive a $500 repair subsidy under the Department of Consumer Affairs' Consumer Assistance Program.