3852

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

(Senate Joint Resolution 45)

A SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION concerning

Motor Vehicle Emissions and Safety Standards

FOR the purpose of directing the Department of
Transportation to investigate all possible
alternative and optional methods for the enforcement
of [[vehicle exhaust emission levels and]] vehicle
safety equipment standards [[and the Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene to investigate all
possible alternative and optional methods for the
establishment of vehicle exhaust emission standards;
providing for coordination of both investigations:
and the reporting of the investigations]] and
vehicle exhaust emission levels.

WHEREAS, By publication in 38 FR 238, December 12,
1973, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has
directed that Maryland must provide for a program of
inspection and maintenance of vehicle exhaust emissions
for vehicles operating on Maryland highways beginning not
later than August 1, 1975, and that Maryland shall not
register or allow to operate on its highways after July
31, 1976, any vehicle that does not comply with
applicable standards adopted pursuant to law; and

WHEREAS, Standard No. 1 of the 18 Federal Highway
Safety Program standards requires that each state must
adopt a system of periodic motor vehicle inspection to
determine that each vehicle complies with established
standards for motor vehicle safety equipment or be
subject to a penalty of having 10 percent of its highway
aid funds withheld by the U.S. Department of
Transportation, which in the case of Maryland would
amount to an estimated $20 million; and

WHEREAS, Daring the years of 1972, 1973 and 1974 the
Maryland General Assembly did not enact legislation
designed to provide for the required inspection programs;
and

WHEREAS, Some sort of legal action or penalty
imposition by both Federal agencies involved is more
imminent, particularly in light of recent notice by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the
10 percent penalty would be imposed on Maryland unless
immediate action be taken to comply with the provisions
of Highway Safety Program Standard No. 8 dealing with
blood alcohol levels for determination of driving under
the influence; and

WHEREAS, Fuel conservation efforts, the current