The general assembly finds and declares that:
(1) Air quality in Rhode Island does not meet the national and state ambient air quality standard for ozone;
(2) Poor air quality has an adverse effect on the health of all Rhode Island residents, particularly the elderly, the very young and those with respiratory ailments;
(3) Motor vehicle emissions account for a substantial amount of air pollution problems in the state;
(4) There is a dramatic need to reduce motor vehicle emissions in Rhode Island;
(5) The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.) mandates that the states formulate and implement individual programs to systematically improve ambient air quality, including a program to reduce emissions through the inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles;
(6) Should Rhode Island fail to act in a timely manner to improve its ambient air quality pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, notwithstanding the continued adverse effect air pollution will have on the environment and citizenry of the state, the United States department of transportation will withhold highway funding until compliance is attained, the United States environmental protection agency will withhold grants to support air pollution planning and control programs until compliance is attained, require new emissions be offset by emissions reductions at a ratio of two (2) to one, and will implement a motor vehicle emissions inspection program in the state. In addition, the citizens of the state of Rhode Island may seek injunctive relief under the provisions of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.).
(7) The general assembly enacted legislation mandating a centralized system for motor vehicle emissions inspections and maintenance during the January 1993 session;
(8) The centralized motor vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program was never implemented;
(9) A decentralized system for motor vehicle emission inspection is more desirable than a centralized system;
(10) Designing, promulgating and implementing a decentralized system for motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance will improve air quality, protect the health of Rhode Islanders, assure compliance with the federal clean air act and allow the removal of sanctions imposed on the state of Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 254, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 65, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 327, § 1.