CTA Members:
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) took the first step in adopting the first-in-the-nation Smog Check Program for Trucks during their hearing on December 9, 2021.
As you will recall, CTA's Government Affairs Team worked throughout 2017-2019 on the authorizing legislation, Senate Bill 210 and was able to statutorily cap fees for this program at $30 a year and require CARB to provide at least one test method that was not to exceed $30 inclusive of the fee.
At this hearing, per the request of CTA and ATA, CARB agreed to amend their rulemaking package to ensure that fleets of all sizes have the flexibility to continue operating in the event a truck's emission control system needs fixing but the required parts are unavailable.
CARB's Governing Board also listened to the concerns brought forward by CTA's Government Affairs Team regarding over testing.
Rather than adopting staff’s recommendation, the CARB Governing Board directed their staff do just twice annual testing and to move towards adopting quarterly testing three years from this rule's effective date, which could be interpreted as either 2026 or 2027.
Additionally, CTA is following up with CARB's Governing Board and Executive Staff to recommend enhanced testing only be applied to the small number of vehicles that have been tampered with emission controls or limited to the minority of fleets with repeated mal maintenance issues.
A timeline of program requirements are below. Please note initial reporting is set to begin in 2023 with period testing set for 2024.
CARB is still developing verification processes for OBD scanners and optional telematics based compliance. CTA will be working with CARB to ensure proper outreach and training occurs on the new program.
In addition to CARB's Fact Sheet with additional details, we will send out a more detailed breakdown of the program’s requirements, which will need to undergo a 15 day comment period, pushing a final rulemaking package into the new year.
