A.__The fuel tank cap is subject to inspection beginning January 1, 2002.

B.__The on-board diagnostic system is subject to inspection beginning January 1, 2003.__A motor vehicle may not fail inspection for failure to meet the inspection standard for the on-board diagnostic system until January 1, 2004.

Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §1762, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 786, §5, is amended to read:

8. Enhanced inspection stations. Beginning January 1, 1999, official inspection stations located in Cumberland County and beginning January 1, 2002, official inspection stations located in any other county shall offer enhanced inspections pursuant to section 1751, subsection 2-A and may not offer inspections pursuant to section 1751, subsection 2. Official inspection stations located outside of Cumberland County may offer inspections under section 1751, subsections 2 and 2-A. An inspection station that offers enhanced inspections shall employ an inspection mechanic certified to perform enhanced inspections.

Sec. 6. 36 MRSA §5219-U is enacted to read:

§5219-U.__Catalytic converter diagnostic test equipment purchased

by licensed inspection stations

An official inspection station licensed under Title 29-A, section 1762 is allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this Part on income earned by that station in an amount equal to the cost paid between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2002 to purchase up to 2 catalytic converter diagnostic testing devices required to perform the enhanced motor vehicle inspection required under Title 29-A, section 1751, subsection 2-A.__After December 31, 2002, an official inspection station is entitled to a credit equal to the cost paid to purchase a new catalytic converter diagnostic testing device to replace one that fails.

Sec. 7. Motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program requirement. The Department of Environmental Protection shall submit to the United States Environmental Protection Agency a revision to the state implementation plan, required in the federal Clean Air Act, Section 110, 42 United States Code, Section 7410, that incorporates the motor vehicle inspection program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, chapter 15, subchapter 1, as amended by this Act, to meet the requirement for a vehicle emission control inspection and maintenance program in

the federal Clean Air Act, Section 184, 42 United States Code, Section 7511c.

SUMMARY

This bill extends to the entire State the enhanced motor vehicle inspection program currently limited to motor vehicles registered in Cumberland County. Under this bill, the program applies statewide beginning on January 1, 2002 and is phased into the other counties over a 2-year period in the same manner in which the program was phased in when implemented in Cumberland County. The fee for the enhanced inspection for all counties other than Cumberland County remains at the current amount of $6.50.

The bill also provides a tax credit in tax year 2002 for official inspection stations who purchase the catalytic converter diagnostic testing devices necessary to conduct the enhanced inspections and allows a credit in 2003 and beyond for official inspection stations who must purchase a new testing device to replace one that fails.

The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to submit a revised state implementation plan to the United States Environmental Protection Agency that incorporates these changes into the enhanced motor vehicle inspection program.