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First Substitute H.B. 172

Senator Michael G. Waddoups proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2002 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

             6      This act modifies the Motor Vehicle and Public Safety Code by amending the frequency
             7      required for safety inspections and emissions testing for motor vehicles. This act amends the
             8      maximum fee an inspection station may charge for motor vehicle safety inspections. The act
             9      increases the decal fee the state charges for safety inspections. This act provides for the
             10      establishment of a safety inspection apprenticeship program. This act provides an effective
             11      date.
             12      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             13      AMENDS:
             14          41-6-163.6, as last amended by Chapter 217, Laws of Utah 1999
             15          53-8-204, as last amended by Chapter 238, Laws of Utah 1998
             16          53-8-205, as last amended by Chapters 128 and 238, Laws of Utah 1998
             17          53-8-206, as last amended by Chapter 238, Laws of Utah 1998
             18      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             19          Section 1. Section 41-6-163.6 is amended to read:
             20           41-6-163.6. Emissions inspection -- County program.
             21          (1) The legislative body of each county required under federal law to utilize a motor
             22      vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program or in which an emissions inspection and
             23      maintenance program is necessary to attain or maintain any national ambient air quality standard
             24      shall require:
             25          (a) a certificate of emissions inspection, a waiver, or other evidence the motor vehicle is


             26      exempt from emissions inspection and maintenance program requirements be presented:
             27          (i) as a condition of registration or renewal of registration; and
             28          (ii) at other times as the county legislative body may require to enforce inspection
             29      requirements for individual motor vehicles, except that the county legislative body may not
             30      routinely require a certificate of emission inspection, or waiver of such certificate, more often than
             31      [annually] required under Subsection (6) ; and
             32          (b) all motor vehicles owned by or being used by all departments, instrumentalities,
             33      agencies, and employees of the federal government, the state and any of its agencies, and all
             34      political subdivisions of the state including school districts and registered or principally operated
             35      in that county comply with this section.
             36          (2) The legislative body of a county identified in Subsection (1) shall make rules regarding
             37      emissions standards, test procedures, inspections stations, repair requirements and dollar limits for
             38      correction of deficiencies, and certificates of emissions inspections which are determined necessary
             39      by the county legislative body in consultation with the Air Quality Board created in Section
             40      19-1-106 to attain or maintain ambient air quality standards in the county, consistent with the state
             41      implementation plan and federal requirements. The county legislative body and the board shall
             42      give preference to an inspection and maintenance program that is:
             43          (a) decentralized, to the extent the decentralized program will attain and maintain ambient
             44      air quality standards and meet federal requirements;
             45          (b) the most cost effective means to achieve and maintain the maximum benefit with
             46      regard to ambient air quality standards and to meet federal air quality requirements as related to
             47      vehicle emissions; and
             48          (c) providing a reasonable phase-out period for replacement of air pollution emission
             49      testing equipment made obsolete by the program, but only to the extent the phase-out may be
             50      accomplished in accordance with applicable federal requirements and the phase-out does not
             51      otherwise interfere with the attainment and maintenance of ambient air quality standards. The
             52      rules may allow for a phase-in of the program by geographical area.
             53          (3) Agricultural implements of husbandry and any motor vehicle that meets the definition
             54      of a farm truck under Section 41-1a-102 and has a gross vehicle weight rating of 12,001 pounds
             55      or more are exempt from this section.
             56          (4) (a) The legislative body of a county identified in Subsection (1) shall exempt any


             57      pickup truck, as defined in Section 41-1a-102 , having a gross vehicle weight of 12,000 pounds or
             58      less from the emission inspection requirements of this section if the registered owner of the pickup
             59      truck provides a signed statement to the legislative body stating the truck is used:
             60          (i) by the owner or operator of a farm located on property that qualifies as land in
             61      agricultural use under Sections 59-2-502 and 59-2-503 ; and
             62          (ii) exclusively for the following purposes in operating the farm:
             63          (A) for the transportation of farm products, including livestock and its products, poultry
             64      and its products, floricultural and horticultural products; and
             65          (B) in the transportation of farm supplies, including tile, fence, and every other thing or
             66      commodity used in agricultural, floricultural, horticultural, livestock, and poultry production and
             67      maintenance.
             68          (b) The county shall provide to the registered owner who signs and submits a signed
             69      statement under this section a certificate of exemption from emission inspection requirements for
             70      purposes of registering the exempt vehicle.
             71          (5) (a) Each college or university located in a county subject to this section shall require
             72      its students and employees who park any motor vehicle on its campus or property that is not
             73      registered in a county subject to this section to provide proof of compliance with an emissions
             74      inspection accepted by the county legislative body.
             75          (b) College or university parking areas that are metered or for which payment is required
             76      per use are not subject to the requirements of this Subsection (5).
             77          (6) (a) An emissions inspection station shall issue a certificate of emissions inspection for
             78      each motor vehicle that meets the inspection and maintenance program requirements established
             79      in rules made under Subsection (2).
             80          (b) The frequency of the emissions inspection shall be determined based on the age of the
             81      vehicle as determined by model year and shall be required [at least annually, but the county may
             82      require the inspection at least biennially for vehicles that are five or fewer years old on January 1.]
             83      annually subject to the provisions of Subsection (6)(c).
             84          (c) (i) To the extent allowed under the current federally approved state implementation
             85      plan, in accordance with the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq., the legislative
             86      body of a county identified in Subsection (1) shall only require the emissions inspection every two
             87      years for each vehicle.


             88          (ii) The provisions of Subsection (6)(c)(i) apply only to a vehicle that is less than six years
             89      old on January 1.
             90          [(c)] (d) If [the county chooses to require biennial inspections] an emissions inspection is
             91      only required every two years for a vehicle under Subsection (6)[(b)] (c), the inspection shall be
             92      required for the vehicle in:
             93          (i) odd-numbered years for vehicles with odd-numbered model years; or
             94          (ii) in even-numbered years for vehicles with even-numbered model years.
             95          [(d) A vehicle's age is determined by the model year of the vehicle.]
             96          (7) The emissions inspection shall be required within the same time limit applicable to a
             97      safety inspection under Section 41-1a-205 .
             98          (8) (a) Counties identified in Subsection (1) shall collect information about and monitor
             99      the program.
             100          (b) The counties shall supply this information to an appropriate legislative committee, as
             101      designated by the Legislative Management Committee, at times determined by that designated
             102      committee to identify program needs, including funding needs.
             102a      S (9) IF APPROVED BY THE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE BODY, A COUNTY THAT HAD AN ESTABLISHED
             102b      EMISSIONS INSPECTION FEE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2002, MAY INCREASE THE ESTABLISHED FEE
             102c      THAT AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION STATION MAY CHARGE BY $2.50 FOR EACH YEAR THAT IS
             102d      EXEMPTED FROM EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS UNDER SUBSECTION (6)(c) UP TO A $7.50 INCREASE. s
             103          Section 2. Section 53-8-204 is amended to read:
             104           53-8-204. Division duties -- Official inspection stations -- Permits -- Fees --
             105      Suspension or revocation -- Utah-based interstate commercial motor carriers.
             106          (1) The division shall:
             107          (a) conduct examinations of every safety inspection station permit applicant and safety
             108      inspector certificate applicant to determine whether the applicant is properly equipped and
             109      qualified to make safety inspections;
             110          (b) issue safety inspection station permits and safety inspector certificates to qualified
             111      applicants;
             112          (c) establish application, renewal, and reapplication fees in accordance with Section
             113      63-38-3.2 for safety inspection station permits and safety inspector certificates;
             114          (d) provide instructions and all necessary forms, including safety inspection certificates,
             115      to safety inspection stations for the inspection of motor vehicles and the issuance of the safety
             116      inspection certificates;
             117          (e) charge a [$1.50] $2 fee for each safety inspection certificate;
             118          (f) investigate complaints regarding safety inspection stations and safety inspectors;


             119          (g) compile and publish all applicable safety inspection laws, rules, instructions, and
             120      standards and distribute them to all safety inspection stations and provide updates to the compiled
             121      laws, rules, instructions, and standards as needed;
             122          (h) establish a fee in accordance with Section 63-38-3.2 to cover the cost of compiling and
             123      publishing the safety inspection laws, rules, instructions, and standards and any updates; and
             124          (i) assist the council in conducting its meetings and hearings.
             125          (2) (a) (i) Receipts from the fees established in accordance with Subsection (1)(h) are fixed
             126      collections to be used by the division for the expenses of the Utah Highway Patrol incurred under
             127      Subsection (1)(h).
             128          (ii) Funds received in excess of the expenses under Subsection (1)(h) shall be deposited
             129      in the Transportation Fund.
             130          (b) (i) The first [$.50] $.75 of the fee under Subsection (1)(e) is a dedicated credit to be
             131      used solely by the Utah Highway Patrol for the expenses of administering this section.
             132          (ii) [Funds in excess of the first $.50] The remaining funds collected under Subsection
             133      (1)(e) shall be deposited in the Transportation Fund.
             134          (iii) The dedicated credits described under Subsection (2)(b)(i) are in addition to any other
             135      appropriations provided to administer the safety inspection program duties under this section.
             136          (3) The division may:
             137          (a) before issuing a safety inspection permit, require an applicant, other than a fleet station
             138      or government station, to file a bond that will provide a guarantee that the applicant safety
             139      inspection station will make compensation for any damage to a motor vehicle during an inspection
             140      or adjustment due to negligence on the part of an applicant or his employees;
             141          (b) establish procedures governing the issuance of safety inspection certificates to
             142      Utah-based interstate commercial motor carriers; and
             143          (c) suspend, revoke, or refuse renewal of any safety inspection station permit issued when
             144      the division finds that the safety inspection station is not:
             145          (i) properly equipped; or
             146          (ii) complying with rules made by the division; and
             147          (d) suspend, revoke, or refuse renewal of any safety inspection station permit or safety
             148      inspector certificate issued when the station or inspector has violated any safety inspection law or
             149      rule.


             150          (4) The division shall maintain a record of safety inspection station permits and safety
             151      inspector certificates issued, suspended, revoked, or refused renewal under Subsection (3)(c).
             152          (5) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             153      division shall make rules:
             154          (a) setting minimum standards covering the design, construction, condition, and operation
             155      of motor vehicle equipment for safely operating a motor vehicle on the highway;
             156          (b) establishing motor vehicle safety inspection procedures to ensure a motor vehicle can
             157      be operated safely;
             158          (c) establishing safety inspection station building, equipment, and personnel requirements
             159      necessary to qualify to perform safety inspections;
             160          (d) establishing age, training, examination, and renewal requirements to qualify for a safety
             161      inspector certificate;
             162          (e) establishing program guidelines for a school district that elects to implement a safety
             163      inspection apprenticeship program for high school students;
             164          [(e)] (f) establishing requirements:
             165          (i) designed to protect consumers from unwanted or unneeded repairs or adjustments;
             166          (ii) for maintaining safety inspection records;
             167          (iii) for providing reports to the division; and
             168          (iv) for maintaining and protecting safety inspection certificates;
             169          [(f)] (g) establishing procedures for a motor vehicle that fails a safety inspection;
             170          [(g)] (h) setting bonding amounts for safety inspection stations if bonds are required under
             171      Subsection (3)(a); and
             172          [(h)] (i) establishing procedures for a safety inspection station to follow if the station is
             173      going out of business.
             174          (6) The rules of the division:
             175          (a) shall conform as nearly as practical to federal motor vehicle safety standards including
             176      49 CFR 393, 396, 396 Appendix G, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 205; and
             177          (b) may incorporate by reference, in whole or in part, the federal standards under
             178      Subsection (6)(a) and nationally recognized and readily available standards and codes on motor
             179      vehicle safety.
             180          Section 3. Section 53-8-205 is amended to read:


             181           53-8-205. Safety inspection required -- Safety inspection certificate required --
             182      Out-of-state permits.
             183          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a person may not operate on a highway
             184      a motor vehicle required to be registered in this state unless the motor vehicle has passed a safety
             185      inspection.
             186          (b) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to:
             187          (i) vehicles exempt from registration under Section 41-1a-205 ; and
             188          (ii) off-highway vehicles.
             189          (2) The frequency of the safety inspection shall be determined based on the age of the
             190      vehicle determined by model year and shall [be required]:
             191           (a) be required each year for a vehicle that is [five] S [ten] SIX s or more years old on January 1; or
             192          (b) every two years for each vehicle that is less than [five] S [ ten ] SIX s years old on January 1 as
             193      follows:
             194          (i) in odd-numbered years for a vehicle with an odd-numbered model year; and
             195          (ii) in even-numbered years for a vehicle with an even-numbered model year;
             196          (c) be made by a safety inspector certified by the division at a safety inspection station
             197      authorized by the division;
             198          (d) cover an inspection of the motor vehicle mechanism, brakes, and equipment to ensure
             199      proper adjustment and condition as required by department rules; and
             200          (e) include an inspection for the display of license plates in accordance with Section
             201      41-1a-404 .
             202          (3) A safety inspection station shall issue a safety inspection certificate to the owner of
             203      each motor vehicle that passes a safety inspection under this section.
             204          (4) The division may:
             205          (a) authorize the acceptance in this state of a safety inspection certificate issued in another
             206      state having a safety inspection law similar to this state; and
             207          (b) extend the time within which a safety inspection certificate must be obtained by the
             208      resident owner of a vehicle that was not in this state during the time a safety inspection was
             209      required.
             210          Section 4. Section 53-8-206 is amended to read:
             211           53-8-206. Safety inspection -- Station requirements -- Permits not transferable --


             212      Certificate of inspection -- Fees -- Unused certificates -- Suspension or revocation of permits.
             213          (1) The safety inspection required under Section 53-8-205 may only be performed:
             214          (a) by a person certified by the division as a safety inspector; and
             215          (b) at a safety inspection station with a valid safety inspection station permit issued by the
             216      division.
             217          (2) A safety inspection station permit may not be assigned or transferred or used at any
             218      location other than a designated location, and every safety inspection station permit shall be posted
             219      in a conspicuous place at the location designated.
             220          (3) If required by the division, a record and report shall be made of every safety inspection
             221      and every safety inspection certificate issued.
             222          (4) A safety inspection station holding a safety inspection station permit issued by the
             223      division may charge:
             224          (a) a fee as reimbursement for the safety inspection certificate fee as specified in
             225      Subsection 53-8-204 (1)(e); and
             226          (b) a reasonable fee for labor in performing safety inspections, not to exceed:
             227          (i) [$5] $7 or less for motorcycles;
             228          (ii) unless Subsection (4)(b)(i) or (iii) applies, [$9] $15 or less for motor vehicles; or
             229          (iii) [$12] $20 or less for 4-wheel drive, split axle, and any motor vehicles that necessitate
             230      disassembly of front hub or removal of rear axle for inspection.
             231          (5) A safety inspection station may return unused safety inspection certificates in a
             232      quantity of ten or more and shall be reimbursed by the division for the cost of the safety inspection
             233      certificates.
             234          (6) (a) Upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation of a safety inspection station
             235      permit, the safety inspection station permit holder shall immediately terminate all safety inspection
             236      activities and return all safety inspection certificates and the safety inspection station permit to the
             237      division.
             238          (b) The division shall issue a receipt for all unused safety inspection certificates.
             239          Section 5. Effective date.
             240          This act takes effect on January 1, 2003, except for Section 41-6-163.6 which takes effect
             241      on July 1, 2003.


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