Senate Bill 25-321 Introduced

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning measures to address air pollution levels related

• Page 1, Line 102to the operation of motor vehicles in areas that do not

• Page 1, Line 103meet federal national ambient air quality standards.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)

Under current law, the state contracts to conduct emissions testing. Current law also sets limits on how long the contracts may run. The bill repeals these limits and authorizes the division of administration in the department of public health and environment (division) to determine the length of each contract. Current law also authorizes a vehicle emissions inspection facility to charge a fee that is set by the air quality control commission (commission), but the fee is capped at $25 for model year 1982 and newer vehicles and $15 for model year 1981 and older vehicles. The bill authorizes the commission to adopt rules adjusting this fee limit, but the commission is limited to adjusting:

• The $15 maximum fee to $30 when a licensed inspection and readjustment station inspects vehicles model year 1981 and older; and
• The $25 maximum fee to $50 for a clean screen inspection performed on vehicles registered in the basic emissions program that are model year 1982 and newer.
• Paying emissions inspection fees for motor vehicles registered to individuals participating in an established and recognized public assistance program; or
• Adjustments or emissions-related repairs that are necessary and sufficient to receive a certification of emissions compliance.

The commission may adopt rules requiring the emissions compliance of vehicles that have failed an emissions test and that are registered outside of the program area but that operate within the program area.

The bill requires the commission to adopt rules requiring inspections of motor vehicles that are registered in the nonattainment area and identified as having excess emissions under the clean screen program and are either within the 2-year vehicle inspection cycle or exempt from periodic inspection.

If a motor vehicle's emissions control system has been disconnected, deactivated, or rendered inoperable, the division may notify the executive director of the department of revenue.

Under current law, fines and penalties assessed for violations of air quality laws are deposited in the community impact cash fund. The bill creates a motor vehicle emissions assistance fund (fund) and diverts the first $1 million from the community impact cash fund to the new fund, but at the end of each state fiscal year, any unspent money in the fund exceeding $250,000 is returned to the community impact cash fund.

The division may expend money from the fund to provide grants for:

The division may accept and expend gifts, grants, and donations. The money in the fund is continuously appropriated. To implement the bill, $5,674 is transferred from the AIR account of the highway users tax fund to the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account of the fund.

• Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 3, Line 1SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-304, amend the introductory portion and (5) as follows:

• Page 3, Line 242-4-304.  Definitions relating to motor vehicle inspection and

• Page 3, Line 3readjustment program. As used in sections 42-4-301 to 42-4-316 42-4-316.5, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 3, Line 4(5)  "Contractor" means any a person, partnership, entity, or

• Page 3, Line 5corporation that is awarded a contract by the state of Colorado through a

• Page 3, Line 6competitive bid process conducted by the division, in consultation with

• Page 3, Line 7the executive director and in accordance with the "Procurement Code",

• Page 3, Line 8articles 101 to 112 of title 24, C.R.S., and section 42-4-306, to provide

• Page 3, Line 9inspection services for vehicles required to be inspected pursuant to in

• Page 3, Line 10accordance with section 42-4-310 within the enhanced emissions

• Page 3, Line 11program area, as set forth in subsection (9) of this section; to operate

• Page 3, Line 12enhanced inspection centers necessary to perform inspections; and to operate the clean screen program within the program area.

• Page 3, Line 13SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-306, amend

• Page 3, Line 14(3)(a)(I)(C), (3)(b)(IV), (3)(b)(V)(A), and (13); and add (3)(b)(VI) and (8)(c) as follows:

• Page 3, Line 1542-4-306.  Powers and duties of commission - automobile

• Page 3, Line 16inspection and readjustment program - basic emissions program -

• Page 3, Line 17enhanced emissions program - clean screen program - rules - repeal.

• Page 3, Line 18(3) (a) (I) (C)  Upon the adoption of specifications for measuring

• Page 3, Line 19instruments and test analyzer systems, the division, in consultation with

• Page 3, Line 20the executive director, may let invite bids for the procurement of

• Page 3, Line 21instruments that meet federal requirements or guidelines and the

• Page 3, Line 22standards of the federal act. The invitation for bids for test analyzer

• Page 3, Line 23systems for the basic emissions program and the inspection-only facilities

• Page 4, Line 1in the enhanced emissions program shall must include but shall not be

• Page 4, Line 2limited to, the requirements for data collection and electronic transfer of

• Page 4, Line 3data as established by the commission, service and maintenance

• Page 4, Line 4requirements for such instruments for the period of the contract,

• Page 4, Line 5requirements for replacement or loan instruments in the event that the

• Page 4, Line 6purchased or leased instruments do not function, and the initial purchase

• Page 4, Line 7or lease price. On and after June 5, 2001, each contract for the purchase of such instruments shall have a term of no more than four years.

• Page 4, Line 8(b) (IV)  On and after May 26, 1998, any A contract for inspection

• Page 4, Line 9services shall must have a term of no more than five years and shall be

• Page 4, Line 10determined by the division and is subject to rebidding under the provisions of this paragraph (b) this subsection (3)(b).

• Page 4, Line 11(V) (A)  Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the

• Page 4, Line 12"Procurement Code", articles 101 to 112 of title 24, C.R.S., or this article,

• Page 4, Line 13any article 4, a contract for inspection services may be renewed for a

• Page 4, Line 14term not to exceed two years, after which the contract may be renewed for

• Page 4, Line 15a single term of up to four years or rebid as determined by the

• Page 4, Line 16division; except that inspection fees during any such four-year renewal contract shall be as are determined under section 42-4-311 (6).

• Page 4, Line 17(VI)  Upon the division making a recommendation or during

• Page 4, Line 18the renewal of a contract, the commission may adopt a rule to

• Page 4, Line 19set or adjust the inspection fees as described in section 42-4-311

• Page 4, Line 20(4)(a)(I) or (6)(a). The commission shall request supporting

• Page 4, Line 21documentation or financial analyses from the contractor to inform the commission's decision.

• Page 4, Line 22(8) (c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this

• Page 4, Line 23subsection (8), the commission shall adopt rules requiring inspections of motor vehicles that are:

• Page 5, Line 1(I)  Registered in Colorado and outside the program area;

• Page 5, Line 2(II)  Identified as producing excess emissions under the clean screen program; and

• Page 5, Line 3(III) (A)  Within the two-year vehicle inspection cycle; or

• Page 5, Line 4(B)  Exempt from periodic inspection in accordance with rules adopted under subsection (8)(a) of this section.

• Page 5, Line 5(13) (a)  The commission shall identify motor vehicle populations

• Page 5, Line 6contributing significantly to ambient pollution inventories by utilizing

• Page 5, Line 7mobile source computer models approved by the environmental

• Page 5, Line 8protection agency. The commission shall develop and implement more

• Page 5, Line 9stringent or frequent, or both, inspection criteria for those vehicles with such significant pollution contributions.

• Page 5, Line 10(b) (I)  The commission may adopt rules to identify motor

• Page 5, Line 11vehicles with excess emissions that regularly operate within the

• Page 5, Line 12program area. The rules must require that motor vehicles

• Page 5, Line 13identified as having excess emissions comply with the emissions

• Page 5, Line 14and maintenance requirements of this part 3 and are subject to enforcement under rules adopted by the commission.

• Page 5, Line 15(II)  Motor vehicles operating in the program area that

• Page 5, Line 16failed an enhanced emissions inspection and are subsequently

• Page 5, Line 17registered outside the program area must comply with the

• Page 5, Line 18emissions and maintenance requirements of this part 3 and are subject to enforcement under rules adopted by the commission.

• Page 5, Line 19(III) (A)  This subsection (13)(b) is effective April 1, 2027.

• Page 5, Line 20(B)  This subsection (13)(b)(III) is repealed, effective July

• Page 5, Line 211, 2027.

• Page 6, Line 1SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-307, amend (10)(b); and add (17) as follows:

• Page 6, Line 242-4-307.  Powers and duties of the department of public

• Page 6, Line 3health and environment - division of administration - automobile

• Page 6, Line 4inspection and readjustment program - basic emissions program -

• Page 6, Line 5enhanced emissions program - clean screen program - legislative

• Page 6, Line 6declaration - high-emitter motor vehicle regulation - definition - rules

• Page 6, Line 7- repeal. (10) (b)  Upon approval by the department of public health and

• Page 6, Line 8environment and the executive director, the contractor shall provide

• Page 6, Line 9inspection services for vehicles within the enhanced emissions program

• Page 6, Line 10area required to be inspected pursuant to section 42-4-310.

• Page 6, Line 11Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the "Procurement Code",

• Page 6, Line 12articles 101 to 112 of title 24, C.R.S., or this article, any article 4, a

• Page 6, Line 13contract for inspection services may be renewed for a term not to exceed

• Page 6, Line 14two years to ensure that, on or after December 31, 2001, inspection

• Page 6, Line 15services in the enhanced program area will not be interrupted by the

• Page 6, Line 16expiration of the previous contract, after which the contract may be

• Page 6, Line 17renewed for a single term of up to four years as provided in section

• Page 6, Line 1842-4-306 (3)(b)(V)(A). Any new contract entered into or renewed after

• Page 6, Line 19the two-year renewal shall require the contractor to provide any necessary

• Page 6, Line 20alternative inspection services or technologies so approved that is determined by the division.

• Page 6, Line 21(17) (a) (I)  The general assembly declares that:

• Page 6, Line 22(A)  Gasoline-powered motor vehicles are a major source

• Page 6, Line 23of ozone precursors, including nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide;

• Page 6, Line 24(B)  Gasoline-powered motor vehicles with emissions

• Page 7, Line 1control systems that have been tampered with or emissions

• Page 7, Line 2control systems that are not operating properly create excess

• Page 7, Line 3ozone precursors, including nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide, and are high-emitting motor vehicles;

• Page 7, Line 4(C)  High-emitting motor vehicles contribute a

• Page 7, Line 5disproportionate amount of total emissions and are a major

• Page 7, Line 6source of air pollution, especially in the ozone nonattainment area;

• Page 7, Line 7(D)  The clean screen program currently operates to

• Page 7, Line 8identify clean motor vehicles operating on the road and will identify high-emitting motor vehicles on the road; and

• Page 7, Line 9(E)  High-emitting motor vehicles that are operating in the

• Page 7, Line 10ozone nonattainment area are difficult to identify through

• Page 7, Line 11mandatory testing, and these include motor vehicles with

• Page 7, Line 12tampered emissions control systems within a testing exemption

• Page 7, Line 13period, motor vehicles requiring repairs between emissions tests,

• Page 7, Line 14and motor vehicles that have failed an emissions test and were subsequently registered outside the program area.

• Page 7, Line 15(II)  The general assembly determines that the best

• Page 7, Line 16interest of the state is to identify high-emitting motor vehicles

• Page 7, Line 17and require vehicles with malfunctioning or tampered with

• Page 7, Line 18motor vehicle emissions control systems to be repaired in order

• Page 7, Line 19to reduce excess emissions of ozone precursors, including nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.

• Page 7, Line 20(b) (I)  The commission may adopt rules to identify and

• Page 7, Line 21regulate high-emitting motor vehicles that are within the model

• Page 7, Line 22year exemption period for their vehicle emissions inspection

• Page 8, Line 1cycle or that are registered in Colorado and outside the program area after failing an emissions test.

• Page 8, Line 2(II)  If a motor vehicle is identified as a high-emitting

• Page 8, Line 3motor vehicle through an enhanced emissions inspection, the

• Page 8, Line 4division may notify the executive director that the motor

• Page 8, Line 5vehicle fails to comply with the emissions and maintenance

• Page 8, Line 6requirements of this part 3 or rules adopted by the commission under this part 3.

• Page 8, Line 7(III) (A)  This subsection (17)(b) is effective April 1, 2027.

• Page 8, Line 8(B)  This subsection (17)(b)(III) is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.

• Page 8, Line 9(c)  As used in this subsection (17), unless the context

• Page 8, Line 10otherwise requires, "high-emitting motor vehicle" means a motor

• Page 8, Line 11vehicle that produces significantly more air pollutants than

• Page 8, Line 12the motor vehicle average, exceeding established emissions limits.

• Page 8, Line 13SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-311, amend (4)(a)(I), (6)(a), and (6)(b) as follows:

• Page 8, Line 1442-4-311.  Operation of inspection and readjustment stations

• Page 8, Line 15- inspection-only facilities - fleet inspection stations - motor vehicle

• Page 8, Line 16dealer test facilities - enhanced inspection centers. (4) (a) (I)  A

• Page 8, Line 17licensed inspection and readjustment station, inspection-only facility, or

• Page 8, Line 18motor vehicle dealer test facility shall charge a fee not to exceed fifteen

• Page 8, Line 19dollars for the inspection of motor vehicles model year 1981 and older,

• Page 8, Line 20at facilities licensed or authorized within either the basic or enhanced

• Page 8, Line 21emissions program. except that for 1982 model and newer vehicles, a test

• Page 8, Line 22facility may charge a fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars The

• Page 9, Line 1commission may set or adust the amount of the fee under section

• Page 9, Line 242-4-306 (3)(b)(VI); except that the commission shall not set or

• Page 9, Line 3adjust the fee for model year 1981 and older motor vehicles to

• Page 9, Line 4exceed thirty dollars or for 1982 model year and newer motor vehicles to exceed fifty dollars.

• Page 9, Line 5(6) (a)  The amount of the fee charged for enhanced emissions

• Page 9, Line 6inspections performed within the enhanced emissions program area on

• Page 9, Line 71982 model year and later newer motor vehicles shall not be any

• Page 9, Line 8greater than that determined by the contract. and in no case greater than

• Page 9, Line 9twenty-five dollars. The amount of the fee charged for clean screen

• Page 9, Line 10inspections performed on vehicles registered in the basic emissions

• Page 9, Line 11program area shall not be any greater than that determined by the

• Page 9, Line 12contract and in no case greater than fifteen dollars. Such Theamount of

• Page 9, Line 13the fee shall must not exceed the amount of the maximum fee required

• Page 9, Line 14to be posted by the enhanced inspection center pursuant to section

• Page 9, Line 1542-4-305 for the inspection of any motor vehicle required to be inspected

• Page 9, Line 16under section 42-4-310. The commission may set or adjust the

• Page 9, Line 17amount of the fees under section 42-4-306 (3)(b)(VI); except that

• Page 9, Line 18the commission shall not set or adjust the fee amount to exceed fifty dollars.

• Page 9, Line 19(b)  During the two-year renewal of the a contract entered into

• Page 9, Line 20pursuant to section 42-4-307 (10), the commission shall may hold a

• Page 9, Line 21hearing to determine the maximum fee that may be charged pursuant to

• Page 9, Line 22the contract for inspections during any subsequent renewal term. The

• Page 9, Line 23maximum fee amount must be based on estimated actual operating costs

• Page 9, Line 24during the life of the contract, determined pursuant to the proceeding,

• Page 9, Line 25plus a percentage to be determined by the commission. not to exceed ten

• Page 10, Line 1percent and not to exceed twenty-five dollars The commission may adjust the amount of the fee under section 42-4-306 (3)(b)(VI).

• Page 10, Line 2SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-314, amend (1) and (2); and add (7) as follows:

• Page 10, Line 342-4-314.  Automobile emissions control systems - tampering

• Page 10, Line 4- operation of vehicle - penalty. (1)  No A person shall not knowingly

• Page 10, Line 5disconnect, deactivate, or otherwise render inoperable any air pollution

• Page 10, Line 6control system which a motor vehicle's emissions control system

• Page 10, Line 7that has been installed by the manufacturer of any automobile of a

• Page 10, Line 8model year of 1968 or later, except to repair or replace a part or all of the system.

• Page 10, Line 9(2)  No A person shall not operate on any a highway in this state

• Page 10, Line 10any an automobile described in subsection (1) of this section knowing

• Page 10, Line 11that any air pollution control system the emissions control system

• Page 10, Line 12installed on such the automobile has been disconnected, deactivated, or otherwise rendered inoperable.

• Page 10, Line 13(7)  If a motor vehicle's emissions control system has been

• Page 10, Line 14disconnected, deactivated, or rendered inoperable, the division

• Page 10, Line 15may notify the executive director that the owner of the motor vehicle has violated subsection (1) or (2) of this section.

• Page 10, Line 16SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-7-129, amend (2)(a) introductory portion and (2)(a)(V) as follows:

• Page 10, Line 1725-7-129.  Disposition of fines - community impact cash fund

• Page 10, Line 18- repeal. (2) (a)  All The state treasurer shall credit the receipts

• Page 10, Line 19from penalties or fines collected under sections 25-7-115, 25-7-122, and 25-7-123 shall be credited in the following manner:

• Page 10, Line 20(V)  For state fiscal year 2025-26 and any state fiscal year thereafter:

• Page 11, Line 1(A)  The first one million dollars to the motor vehicle emissions assistance fund established in section 25-7-129.5; and

• Page 11, Line 2(B)  One hundred percent of the receipts from penalties or fines collected during the fiscal year shall be credited remainder to the fund.

• Page 11, Line 3SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 25-7-129.5 as follows:

• Page 11, Line 425-7-129.5.  Motor vehicle emissions assistance fund - division

• Page 11, Line 5to provide grants - gifts, grants, or donations - definition. (1)  As used

• Page 11, Line 6in this section, "fund" means the motor vehicle emissions assistance fund created in subsection (2) of this section.

• Page 11, Line 7(2)  The motor vehicle emissions assistance fund is created

• Page 11, Line 8in the state treasury. The fund consists of money credited to the

• Page 11, Line 9fund pursuant to section 25-7-129 (2)(a)(V)(A), any other money

• Page 11, Line 10that the general assembly may appropriate or transfer to the

• Page 11, Line 11fund, and any gifts, grants, and donations received under subsection (5) of this section.

• Page 11, Line 12(3) (a)  The state treasurer shall credit all interest and

• Page 11, Line 13income derived from the deposit and investment of money in the fund to the fund.

• Page 11, Line 14(b)  At the end of each state fiscal year, no more than two

• Page 11, Line 15hundred fifty thousand dollars that is unexpended and unencumbered remains in the fund.

• Page 11, Line 16(c)  At the end of each state fiscal year, the state

• Page 11, Line 17treasurer shall credit any unexpended and unencumbered

• Page 11, Line 18money in excess of two hundred fifty thousand dollars

• Page 11, Line 19remaining in the fund to the community impact cash fund created in section 25-7-129 (1).

• Page 12, Line 1(4)  Beginning in the state fiscal year 2025-26, the division may expend money from the fund to provide grants for:

• Page 12, Line 2(a)  Paying emissions inspection fees required by part 3 of

• Page 12, Line 3article 4 of title 42, or rules adopted by the commission under

• Page 12, Line 4part 3 of article 4 of title 42, for motor vehicles registered to

• Page 12, Line 5individuals participating in an established and recognized public assistance program; or

• Page 12, Line 6(b)  Adjustments or emissions-related repairs that are

• Page 12, Line 7necessary and sufficient to receive a certification of emissions

• Page 12, Line 8compliance under part 3 of article 4 of title 42 and rules

• Page 12, Line 9adopted under part 3 of article 4 of title 42 if the adjustments or repairs are performed by:

• Page 12, Line 10(I)  A registered repair facility or technician, as defined in section 42-4-304 (21); or

• Page 12, Line 11(II)  A motor vehicle repair facility registered with the

• Page 12, Line 12secretary of state and in compliance with article 9 of title 42 or

• Page 12, Line 13registered with the division pursuant to rules adopted by the commission.

• Page 12, Line 14(5)  The division may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants,

• Page 12, Line 15or donations from private or public sources for the purposes set

• Page 12, Line 16forth in this section. The state treasurer shall credit any gifts, grants, or donations received by the division to the fund.

• Page 12, Line 17(6)  Money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the division to accomplish the purposes set forth in this section.

• Page 12, Line 18SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-3-304, add

• Page 12, Line 19(18)(e) as follows:

• Page 13, Line 142-3-304.  Registration fees - passenger-mile taxes - clean

• Page 13, Line 2screen fund - pilot program - report - rules - definitions - repeal.

• Page 13, Line 3(18) (e) (I)  On July 1, 2026, the state treasurer shall transfer

• Page 13, Line 4five thousand six hundred seventy-four dollars from the AIR

• Page 13, Line 5account's subaccount available for appropriation to the

• Page 13, Line 6department of public health and environment under subsections

• Page 13, Line 7(18)(a) and (18)(b) of this section to the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account created in section 42-1-211.

• Page 13, Line 8(II)  This subsection (18)(e) is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.

• Page 13, Line 9SECTION 9.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds,

• Page 13, Line 10determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate

• Page 13, Line 11preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for

• Page 13, Line 12the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.