Smog Tech San Jose - Passage of AB 2289 Marks a Major Milestone

Passage of AB 2289 Marks Major Milestone in Smog Check Program

Reforms expected to improve air quality, increase station flexibility

In September 2010, the Legislature passed and the governor signed into law Assembly

Bill (AB) 2289 (Eng, Chapter 258, Statutes of 2010). This landmark legislation introduces

the most extensive set of reforms to the Smog Check Program in more than a decade.

It is designed to improve California’s air quality and simplify inspection procedures for

newer vehicles. Provisions of the bill will gradually be implemented and may require the

adoption of regulations. The following are some of the major components of AB 2289:

Station Performance and Directed Vehicles

AB 2289 requires the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to develop inspectionbased

performance standards for stations. Any Smog Check station meeting these

standards will be able to test directed vehicles. This new “STAR” program will

replace the Gold Shield program in January 2013.

Inspection Procedures

Most model year 2000 and newer vehicles will be subject to a simplified inspection

that does not require a tailpipe test. Test equipment will automatically communicate

with the vehicle’s on-board computer. This method of testing should help reduce

station labor costs, as it will be predominantly software driven; however, vehicles may

still be subject to a visual or functional inspection and a smoke test. The inspection

procedures will be developed by BAR, in coordination with ARB, for implementation

no sooner than January 2013.

Referee Network

Under AB 2289, a referee may charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost to inspect a vehicle whose physical or operational design prevent an inspection at a licensed Smog Check station. Vehicles subject to an inspection fee may include grey market vehicles, vehicles with engine changes, vehicles equipped with retrofit alternative fuel conversation kits, and specially

constructed vehicles.

Program Evaluation

BAR must perform an annual evaluation of the Smog Check Program. The analysis will compare

the percentage of vehicles that initially passed an inspection and subsequently failed a BAR on-road

inspection to the percentage of vehicles that initially ailed an inspection and subsequently failed an on-road inspection.

What are your thoughts??