2518

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 725

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article - Transportation

23-202.

(a)  The Administration, by October 1, 1979, shall
publish, in the Maryland Register, proposed rules and
regulations providing, to the extent required by federal
law, for the establishment of an emissions inspection
program to commence no earlier than July 1, 1980 and no
later than [January 1,] DECEMBER 31, [1982] 1983. Prior
to the drafting of the rules and regulations, the
Administration shall hold a minimum of two public hearings,
one in the Baltimore metropolitan area and one in the
Washington, D. C. metropolitan area in Maryland for the
purpose of receiving public comments. The Administration
shall submit the proposed rules and regulations to each
house of the General Assembly not later than the 15th day of
the regular session of the General Assembly in 1980. The
rules and regulations shall provide that as of [January 1,]
DECEMBER 31, [1981] 1982, the emissions program is a
voluntary one conducted by the Administration in various
areas of the State. Public education and awareness
programs shall be conducted on a regular basis to inform the
citizens concerning the benefits of the emissions program.
After [January 1,] DECEMBER 31, [1982] 1983, the program
shall be mandatory for all motor vehicles in the State not
otherwise exempted. Unless legislation establishing a
different program is enacted in the 1980 Session, the
proposed rules and regulations, with any amendments that
shall have been concurred in by joint resolution of the
General Assembly, shall take effect as provided in the rules
and regulations.

(b)  The program shall require that an inspection
system be established in this State to provide for annual
inspection, under a schedule adopted by the Administrator,
of those motor vehicles required to be inspected.

(c) The inspection system shall consist of inspection
facilities established in strategic locations that will best
serve the public convenience.

(D) THE RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL PROVIDE THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION:

(1) MAY GRANT A WAIVER TO A VEHICLE OWNER IF:

(I)  THE VEHICLE FAILS TO PASS THE EMISSION
TEST;

(II)  THE VEHICLE OWNER HAS ACTUALLY
EXPENDED $75 FOR REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE; AND