Sacramento: Senate Bill 100, authored by Senator Maurice Johannessen (R-Redding), passed the Senate unanimously 40-0 and now awaits Governor Gray Davis' signature to become law. This bill clears the air regarding emission control inspections of specially-constructed vehicles (i.e., kit cars, Cobra replicas and street rod reproductions).

SB100 requires a passenger vehicle or pickup truck that is specially constructed to be inspected by service stations authorized to perform such functions. An emission inspection will be based upon the engine model-year or model-year used in the vehicle. The owner will also have the option of choosing whether the inspection is based on the engine or vehicle model-year. Upon completion of the inspection, the referee would be required to affix a tamper-resistant label to the vehicle. They would also be required to issue a certificate that establishes the engine or vehicle model-year and emission control system application. The bill also requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide an initial registration to the first 500 vehicles that meet the specified criteria and are presented to the department for registration.

Specially constructed vehicles or 'kit cars' are defined as vehicles specifically built for private use, not for resale, and not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or re-manufacturer. The law also states that all such vehicles must be inspected for emission control and certification as required by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Johannessen, a replicar enthusiast himself and owner of a Cobra replica, believes that SB100 will finally clear up the confusion surrounding inspection standards for kit cars. "This legislation creates a guideline for the emission inspection of specially constructed vehicles. Engines will now be held to the standards of the model-year they represent rather than the more sophisticated engines of today," he said.

Senator Johannessen introduced this legislation on two previous occasions. The bill successfully passed through the legislature last year, only to be vetoed by the Governor.

Sacramento: Three auto-related bills authored by Senator Maurice Johannessen (R-Redding) have been signed by the Governor. The three bills (SB 1081, SB 1100 and SB 1173) address 1) a test for muffler noise, wholesale car dealers, and amotorcycle replacement engines, SB 100 (constructed by Senator Johannessen to clear up the confusion surrounding inspection standards for kit cars) still awaits the Governor's signature.

California Senate Bill 1081 would be of particular interest to anyone who has ever been stoped for his or her noisy car. Presently, if you're pulled over and cited for a noisy muffler, it's your word against the officer's. This Bill establishes a testing system to officially determine the decibel level of a vehicle. Specific dealers would be able to certify that muffler systems comply with current noise decibel standards.

California Senate Bill 1100 addresses the continuing education program for vehicle dealers. Current law requires all dealers, after completing a preliminary education program, to follow-up every two years with additional courses. SB 1100 now exempts wholesale dealers who sell fewer than 50 cars per year from attending the continuing education program. This training is geared toward dealers who sell to the general public, not wholesale dealers who buy or sell only to other dealers.

California Senate 1173 eliminates an outdated registration process for certain motorcycle engines. When the current law was written, all motorcycle brands, except Harley-Davidson, had multiple registration numbers on both the engines and frames. Having only one number on the Harley-Davidson, that being on the engine, made it difficult to track a stolen engine if it were installed onto another bike frame. To verify that a replacement engine was not stolen, the original engine case for the motor had to be destroyed. SB 1173 eliminates the need to destroy the engine case because today's Harley-Davidson motorcycles are identified by separate frame and engine numbers, like all other motorcycle brands. Eliminating this rule allows for the sale of old engine crankcases to repair shops for parts or repair and resale.

Senator Johannessen commented "These bills eliminate outdated and unnecessary laws. SB 1081 will help resolve disputes between car owners and police officers in determining whether a car is truly noisy. SB 1100 will eliminate a continuing education program for wholesale dealers, originally intended for dealers who sell to the general public. SB 1173, will eliminate the unnecessary destruction of old engine cases that can be useful as replacement parts for bike shops or the home mechanic."

All three bills (SB 1081, 1100 and 1173) will officially take effect 1 January, 2002.

Contact: Andy Kotch, Publishing Company Director/Sen. Johannessen; 916-445-3353

News Releases
K. Maurice Johannessen
Senator, Fourth District
State Capitol
1170 N. Lincoln Street, Suite 106
Sacramento, CA 95814

above: Senator K. Maurice Johannessen

	Back to previous page (Internet Explorer) Go back a page (Netscape users)  Go to next page (Internet Explorer)