Just saw this after arriving at work, so here is the skinny. Below is the chaptered assembly bill (following an interpretation of what it means:
"AB 2683
(Chaptered by Secretary of State 09/23/2004. Chapter 704, Statutes of 2004)
Lieber, et al. Air Pollution; Smog Check. Would, commencing April 1, 2005, exempt from smog check requirements, and smog check compliance requirements, any motor vehicle manufactured prior to the 1976 model-year. Would also provide that defined "collector" motor vehicles for which proof of insurance is submitted on that basis in accordance with regulations adopted by BAR, and that are at least 35 model-years old, shall be subject to otherwise applicable exhaust emission standards, but shall not be required to pass a visual and functional inspection of emission equipment, other than a functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks. Would, commencing January 1, 2005, expand the model-year smog check exemption to include motor vehicles 6 or less model-years old, unless ARB determines that including the 5th and 6th model-year vehicles in the exemption would prohibit the state from meeting the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act. Would, commencing April 1, 2005, apply the model-year exemption that is applicable to vehicles registered in this state to the initial registration of vehicles previously registered outside this state. (Would repeal the 30-year rolling exemption.)"
This basically says that defined collectors (35 model year or older, not us, maybe my chevelle) cars will be subject to a gas cap inspection and liquid fuel leak test. It also says that the 30 year rolling exemption will cap at model year 1975 and earlier. This means our cars will forever be in the Smog Check program, unless there is legislative changes. The 4 model year new car exemption is moved to 6. So new cars are exempt from smog check for their first 6 years. Some news agencies reported the bill wrong by saying 30 years or older would be subjected to Smog check, while in reality it should have said the 30 year rolling exemption would come to an end and only those vehicles model year 1975 and earlier will be exempt from Smog Check.
