2023 -- H 6055

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LC001887

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS

INSPECTION PROGRAM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, Tanzi, Speakman, McGaw, Handy, Spears,
Potter, and Carson

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2023

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-47.1 of the General Laws entitled "Motor Vehicle Emissions

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Inspection Program" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     31-47.1-12. Advanced motor vehicle emission standards.

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     (a) The department of environmental management shall adopt motor vehicle emissions

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standards based on California's duly promulgated motor vehicle emissions standards, unless, after

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a public hearing, the department establishes, based on substantial evidence, emissions standards

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and a compliance program similar to the state of California's will not achieve, in the aggregate,

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greater motor vehicle pollution reductions than the federal standards and compliance program as

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required in § 31-47.1-1(a) for any such model year. The department shall publicly issue detailed

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written findings before and after holding a public hearing pursuant to this section and said hearing

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shall be subject to the provisions for public meetings contained in chapter 46 of title 42 ("open

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meetings"). A decision not to adopt said standards shall apply as long as the federal standards and

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the standards of the state of California do not change.

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     (b) The department shall promulgate regulations to ensure maximum motor vehicle

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pollution reductions pursuant to the provisions of this section within one calendar year of the

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adoption of the advanced emission standards of the state of California.

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     (c) The provisions of this section are intended as minimum requirements of the state's

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motor vehicle emissions program and shall not limit the department's authority to adopt and

 

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implement the stricter air quality regulations allowed under any other federal and state law.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS

INSPECTION PROGRAM

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     This act would require the department of environmental management to adopt motor

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vehicle emissions standards based on California's promulgated standards; provided that, the

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California standards achieve greater motor vehicle pollution reductions than the federal standards

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as required by § 31-47.1-1(a).

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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