California Senate Bill 435, MC Smog Inspections

[rlfaubion]

California Senate Bill 435, requiring smog inspections for motorcycles in California was introduced February 26, 2009 by California State Senator Fran Pavley. Fran lives in Agoura Hills California. She pans herself as an “Environmental Crusader” representing Ventura and part of Los Angeles Counties.

Bill 435 is being introduced as an act to amend Section 44011 of, and to add Section 44012.5 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to air pollution, and will be voted on sometime after March 28th, 2009.

Here’s an entire copy of California Senate Bill 435 in a PDF format:

http://tinyurl.com/btaoz6

Here’s where you can locate your legislators:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

I ask you to locate your representative’s name and send an email requesting they vote against this Bill due the unnecessarily high costs that would be undertaken by the State for what would certainly result in minimal effective results toward environmental benefit.

While this initial Bill won’t affect every motorcycle today, know this is a beginning and if this Bill passes, your motorcycle could be the next one added by way of amendment. Write your representative today asking them to vote NO on Senate Bill 435…..

Thanks,

Ron “Valdez” Faubion

[cactusjack]

Currently, AZ is the only state that mandates motorcycle emissions testing. Our governor signed a bill last year ending the motorcycle testing program. It is still awaiting EPA approval before the state can actually stop testing motorcycles.

[ice793]

Fingers crossed

[blowndodge]

email sent........... this better not happen. How on earth in this economic time can California even consider this????? Unphucking believable!!

[rlfaubion]

They may not raise your taxes too much, but they will fee the sh*t outta ya with this one and others to come....

Don't fight a ticket in CA right now. I don't believe the State will take your evidence as consideration as to whether you're guilty or not. You're guilty because they need the money honey..

[josh]

I don't know where you found that pic ron but that is awesome

[djh]

E-mail also sent to local representatives. The point here is Our Elected MORONS don't want to or won't Stop Spending . Heck we had more representation underThe King of England than we seem to have now! Where's Thomas Payne ( Common Sense) and Thomas Jefferson ( The Delaration Of Independence) when we need them.

[twittercat]

Just sent emails to my appropriate representatives. Let's hope that there are enough of us telling our representatives our feelings about this bill will make an impact on how they vote.

[rlfaubion]

This bill goes to committee April 18th. Stay tuned...

[rlfaubion]

435 has passed through committee, but now must be voted on in the Senate. Here's an email I received recently.
*************************************

Thank you for your recent communication in opposition to SB 435 (Pavley). This bill would require specified motorcycles to undergo smog checks. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

Regarding your concerns about potential costs, motorcycle owners affected by this bill will be required to pay a smog check fee, around $50, every two years. It is estimated that this bill will cost the Department of Motor Vehicles $500,000, but much of this will be offset by smog check fees. The specific emission level standards are currently being developed by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs.

Though there are far fewer motorcycles than passenger vehicles, a motorcycle emits fourteen times the pollution of a car. Additionally, though technology to decrease emissions on motorcycles exists, tampering with the engines (and thus increasing smog-forming emissions two to three times over) is common. SB 435 would help regulate engine tampering as well as motivate motorcycle owners and manufacturers to invest in cleaner technology. This would improve the air quality and public health. This bill has not yet come before me for a vote, however, and could undergo many amendments before this occurs. Because of this, I cannot currently state my position on the bill, which is presently awaiting hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

You may wish to read more about the status, history and analysis of this and other bills online at www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html . While you are online, please check out my website, www.sen.ca.gov/steinberg, to learn of community events and other issues in which I am involved.

I appreciate hearing from you on issues important to you. Be assured that I will keep your views in mind if this issue comes before me for a vote. Please continue to express your views to me so I may better represent you in the state Senate.

If you need assistance or have concerns about another state matter, please do not hesitate to call my office at (916) 651-1529.

Sincerely,

DARRELL STEINBERG
President pro Tempore
6th Senate District

[cactusjack]

I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with this idea, as long as it isn't retroactive. It would be unreasonable to expect people with modified bikes to restore them to stock condition. The costs to do so would be exorbitant. Don't get me wrong, I am not a big fan of government meddling in people's lives, and more government intrusion is not usually a good thing.

[blowndodge]

With my debaffled stock exhaust I've already had to go through a sound inspection near the beach and passed easily. They had no idea I was modified and they looked carefully. If I have to have an exhaust sniff, I can just turn the TFI off behind the left side cover and take the test then crank er back up!! Shouldn't be an issue with me fortunately...

I'm against this whole thing however. "Increasing smog forming emissions three times over?" Where on earth did they get that information from?

[boxoman]

I wrote! Hope everyone contacts their representative about this.

-Tony

[gregg]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with this idea, as long as it isn't retroactive. It would be unreasonable to expect people with modified bikes to restore them to stock condition. The costs to do so would be exorbitant. Don't get me wrong, I am not a big fan of government meddling in people's lives, and more government intrusion is not usually a good thing.

I believe I read somewhere that it would be retroactive to models built in year 2000 and newer. Can't remember the source off the top of my head.

Every motorcycle built since 2000 (and likely earlier) has an emission compliance sticker (just like autos). The compliance is either Federal or California & Federal. The same penalties for tampering that apply to autos likely apply to motorcycles. I guess they'll look for carbon canisters and cats (when applicable) before sniffing. This also may be a way to control the obnoxiously loud pipes on some Harley's.

Considering that this is California, testing is probably inevitable.

[cactusjack]

A couple of the major motorcycle publications have recently mentioned this bill. Because it's retroactive, it becomes punitive in nature. Someone buys a 2001 bike and the previous owner de-smogged it. Now it becomes the new owner's responsibility to replace the components that were removed. It will be expensive and some of the parts may be hard/impossible to get, especially if the model has been discontinued.

The magazines are against it because it may discourage people from riding and it isn't going to make a dent in the air quality. I'm sure California has more serious problems that need to be addressed before spending time and money on this plan.