Assigned to TTMC FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2546
vehicle emissions; exemption
Purpose
Exempts, if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) approves the proposed
modifications to the Vehicle Emissions Testing Program protocols, a vehicle that is manufactured
in or after the 2018 model year from the Annual Emissions Inspection Program.
Background
Within 90 days of the expiration of vehicle registration, every motor vehicle in Arizona
within Area A, in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and Area B, in the Tucson metropolitan area,
must pass a vehicle emissions inspection to determine the effect of vehicle-related pollution or
ambient air quality and compliance with minimum emissions standards adopted by the Director of
the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Minimum emissions standards are
based on vehicle class and compliant with the federal Clean Air Act and based on vehicle class.
Motor vehicles manufactured in or before 1966, new vehicles for the first six years of registration,
motorcycles and electric vehicles are exempt from annual vehicle emissions testing requirements
(A.R.S. Title 49, Chapter 3, Article 5).
ADEQ may adopt rules for air pollution emission standards for off-road vehicles and
engines marketed in Arizona beginning with the 1999 model year (A.R.S. § 49-542.04).
The registration renewal notice required for the second through fifth registration year of a
new vehicle must include a notice to the vehicle owner that the owner may choose to have an
emissions inspection because of vehicle emissions performance warranty limitations on emissions
components of the vehicle, but that an emissions inspection test is not required (A.R.S. § 49-543).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Exempts, from the Annual Emissions Inspection Program, a vehicle that is manufactured in or
after the 2018 model year.
2. Specifies that, in addition to an emissions inspection, a vehicle is subject to a tampering
inspection as prescribed by rules adopted by the Director of ADEQ if the vehicle was
manufactured after the 1974 model year but before the 2018 model year.
3. Allows the Director of ADEQ to adopt rules for purposes of implementation, administration,
regulation and enforcement of the Annual Emissions Inspection Program that include the
exemption from inspection of vehicles that were manufactured in or after the 2018 model year. FACT SHEET
H.B. 2546
Page 2
4. Prohibits ADEQ from adopting 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.
5. Conditions the enactment of this legislation on the U.S. EPA's approval, by July 1, 2027, of
the proposed modifications to the Vehicle Emissions Testing Program protocols as part of the
State Implementation Plan for Air Quality.
6. Requires the Director of ADEQ, by September 1, 2027, to notify in writing the Director of the
Arizona Legislative Council either:
a) of the date on which the condition was met; or
b) that the condition was not met.
7. Makes technical and conforming changes.
8. Becomes effective on the general effective date or later, subject to the provisions of the
conditional enactment.
House Action
NREW 2/6/24 DPA 6-4-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/28/24 31-28-0-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 7, 2024
RA/SDR/slp