HB 2546
Initials EB/BSR Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: NREW DPA 6-4-0-0
HB 2546: vehicle emissions; exemption
Sponsor: Representative Jones, LD 17
House Engrossed
Overview
Exempts vehicles that were manufactured after the 2018 model year from Vehicle Emissions
Inspection Program (Emissions Program) requirements. Contains a conditional enactment.
History
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) administers the Emissions
Program. Vehicles located in Area A (the Phoenix metropolitan area and parts of Pinal and
Yavapai Counties) and Area B (the Tucson metropolitan area), owned by a person who is
subject to university vehicle regulations or uses their vehicle to commute to workplaces in
these areas must pass annual or biennial inspections to ensure compliance with minimum
emissions standards. The ADEQ Director is responsible for adopting these standards, which
are based on the class of vehicle and location in the Phoenix or Tucson metropolitan area. A
vehicle cannot be sold in these metropolitan areas or registered until it passes an inspection,
except specified vehicles. (A.R.S. § 49-542).
Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are vehicles that are only fueled by a source other than
conventional gasoline or diesel. These sources may include electricity, solar energy, liquefied
petroleum gas, natural gas, hydrogen, a blend of 70% percent alternative fuel source and 30%
petroleum based fuels and alcohol fuels. AFVs in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas,
or AFVs used to commute to these areas, must have an emissions test in the sixth registration
year and in subsequent years (A.R.S. § 49-542.05).
Provisions
1. Requires an annual or biennial inspection for vehicles that:
a) were manufactured before the 2018 model year; and
b) were manufactured before the 2018 model year registered outside of area A or area B
used to commute to workplaces in area A or B. (Sec. 1 and 2)
2. Exempts a vehicle that was manufactured after the 2018 model year from inspection in
order to comply with registration requirements. (Sec. 1 and 2)
3. States a vehicle that was manufactured before the 2018 model year cannot be registered
until such vehicle has passed the emissions and tampering inspection or has been issued
a certificate of waiver. (Sec. 1 and 2)
4. Prohibits a dealer that is licensed to sell motor vehicles and whose business is located in
area A or B from delivering any vehicle that was manufactured before the 2018 model
year to the retail purchaser until the vehicle passes any inspection. (Sec. 1 and 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2546
Initials EB/BSR Page 2 House Engrossed
5. Exempts vehicles that were manufactured after the 2018 model year from receiving an
air quality compliance sticker. (Sec. 1 and 2)
6. Clarifies that vehicles that were manufactured before the 2018 model year must comply
with the ADEQ Director's minimum emission standards. (Sec. 1 and 2)
7. Specifies that a vehicle is subject to tampering inspection if the vehicle was manufactured
after the 1974 model year but before the 2018 model year. (Sec. 1 and 2)
8. Clarifies the ADEQ Director may adopt rules to exempt vehicles that were manufactured
on or after the 2018 model year from inspection. (Sec. 1 and 2)
9. Clarifies that ADEQ may adopt rules for air pollution emission standards for off-road
vehicles and engines marketed in Arizona on or after the 1999 model year and before the
2018 model year. (Sec. 3)
10. Exempts any AFVs manufactured after the 2018 model year from emission inspection
requirements. (Sec. 4)
11. Exempts any AFVs manufactured after the 2018 model year from testing while operating
on gasoline and on alternative fuel. (Sec. 4)
12. Removes the registration renewal notice requirement for the 2nd through 5th registration
year of new vehicles. (Sec. 5)
13. Contains a conditional enactment date of July 1, 2027 for specified sections related to the
vehicle emissions testing program protocols and provides those sections will not become
effective unless the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approves program protocols
changes by the date prescribed. (Sec. 6)
14. Requires the ADEQ Director to notify the Arizona Legislative Council Director in writing
whether the condition was or was not met by September 1, 2027. (Sec. 6)
15. Makes technical changes. (Sec 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)