(Sacramento,CA) Assemblymember Tony Mendoza’s legislation (AB 1488) requiring smog tests for lightweight diesel vehicles has been signed into law by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Experts estimate that once the lightweight diesel smog-checking program is fully operational, an approximate one and a half tons of dangerous air pollutants will be removed from the air in our state daily.

Assemblymember Mendoza (D-Artesia) says, “Leaving our kids and grandkids a healthy environment must be one of the most important priorities of our generation. This new law can help improve the long-term health and quality of life of all Californians. In my district, getting this new law passed is a major victory. My neighbors and I are surrounded by the I-5, 605, 91 and other freeways. Reducing pollutants caused by traffic is crucial because we inhale the emissions from the hundreds of thousands of vehicles that cross our area every day.”

THE DETAILS of AB 1488

Existing law exempts diesel-powered vehicles from these requirements, unless the department determines that the inclusion of those vehicles is technologically and economically feasible, and, if the department makes that determination, requires a visual inspection of emission control devices and the diesel-powered vehicle's exhaust emissions, and authorizes the testing of emissions of specified pollutants and the measurement of emissions of smoke or particulates, or both. Violations of smog check requirements are a crime.

This bill would, starting January 1, 2010, include diesel-powered vehicles manufactured after the 1997 model-year that have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 8,501 pounds in the biennial smog check program, as provided.

The bill would authorize diesel-powered vehicle smog check testing to include on-board diagnostic testing.