What's the difference between these two cars? The one on the left will continue to have a lifetime exemption from Smog Check, while the one on the right will lose its exemption. Other than that, there is nothing that substantially differentiates a 1975 from a 1976 Corvette requiring one be accorded a lifetime exemption while the other is not.
California Governor Schwarzenegger must decide whether to veto or sign into law a bill (AB 2683) passed by the California Legislature that will require the lifetime emissions testing of all 1976 and newer model year vehicles.
Contact the Governor Immediately and Urge Him to Veto A.B. 2683
AB 2683 would:
§ Repeal the existing pro-hobbyist 30-year rolling emissions exemption. From now on, all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles would be emissions tested, including those vehicles that are insured as collector cars (driven only to parades, exhibitions, etc.). § Allow regulators to set emissions standards at any level that suits their purposes in order to ensure inspection failures of these 1976 and later model cars.Nothing in this bill prevents California's legislators from bringing 1975 and older vehicles back into the Smog Check program at a later date or from requiring that vehicles be tested on a yearly basis.
California's current 30-year rolling exemption recognizes the minimal impact vintage cars have on air quality, since they constitute a minuscule portion of the overall vehicle population. These older cars are overwhelmingly well maintained and infrequently driven, and are poor candidates for reducing pollution. However, they are convenient scapegoats for legislators, regulators and stationary source polluters who are using false data and inflated annual mileage assumptions to make it sound like they are cleaning the air. The old car hobby must unite against this legislative tax that will accomplish nothing except require unnecessary testing, waste money and burden car hobbyists.
Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Veto A.B. 2683