2023 -- H 6055
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LC001887
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AN D 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:
SECTION 1. Chapter 31-47.1 of the General Laws entitled "Motor Vehicle Emissions 1
Inspection Program" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
31-47.1-12. Advanced motor vehicle emission standards. 3
(a) The department of environmental management shall adopt motor vehicle emissions 4
standards based on California's duly promulgated motor vehicle emissions standards, unless, after 5
a public hearing, the department establishes, based on substantial evidence, emissions standards 6
and a compliance program similar to the state of California's will not achieve, in the aggregate, 7
greater motor vehicle pollution reductions than the federal standards and compliance program as 8
required in § 31-47.1-1(a) for any such model year. The department shall publicly issue detailed 9
written findings before and after holding a public hearing pursuant to this section and said hearing 10
shall be subject to the provisions for public meetings contained in chapter 46 of title 42 ("open 11
meetings"). A decision not to adopt said standards shall apply as long as the federal standards and 12
the standards of the state of California do not change. 13
(b) The department shall promulgate regulations to ensure maximum motor vehicle 14
pollution reductions pursuant to the provisions of this section within one calendar year of the 15
adoption of the advanced emission standards of the state of California. 16
(c) The provisions of this section are intended as minimum requirements of the state's 17
motor vehicle emissions program and shall not limit the department's authority to adopt and 18
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implement the stricter air quality regulations allowed under any other federal and state law. 1
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 2
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AN D OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS
INSPECTION PROGRAM
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This act would require the department of environmental management to adopt motor 1
vehicle emissions standards based on California's promulgated standards; provided that, the 2
California standards achieve greater motor vehicle pollution reductions than the federal standards 3
as required by § 31-47.1-1(a). 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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