Insane air board's new role: Tire *****

By Chris Reed,

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 12:54 p.m.

I read the proposed rules and I think the concerns of the California New Car Dealers Association are spot-on:

CARB is proposing to require every repair dealer to check the inflation of every tire during repair to improve mpg for all vehicles which, in theory, is meritorious.

However (the) regs. CARB’s pushing through (released this week and subject to a 15 day comment period) ... provides that the only times that consumers may decline a check and inflate service—they can never decline the service if it’s offered for free—is when they are charged for services AND if they can PROVE (with DOCUMENTATION!) that they’ve had their tires checked and inflated in the last 30 days, or if they WILL do so within the next week. It is unclear, but possible, that CARB could take enforcement action against the consumer if they don’t follow through with their promise?!

Note that even the Department of Consumer Affairs opposed the last draft of these rules—letter attached (and I’m guessing these amendments won’t remove their opposition). CARB’s not messing around with these either—the potential penalty for violating the regulation is at least up to $1,000 per violation and six months imprisonment. The enforcement section referred to by CARB states that a violation of the regulation shall be “deemed to result in an emission of air contaminants,” potentially leading to even harsher penalties.

Too much. CARB is interpeting AB 32 in such absurdly broad fashion it wants to deputize the state's auto boards to bully all vehicle owners. It's too much for Brian Stiver, director of the state Department of Consumer Affairs, and Sherry Mehl, chief of the state Bureau of Auto Repairs:

Unless (Automotive Service Providers) offer the (tire check/inflation) service for free to the consumer and the consumer accepts it, the regulation would have the effect of either forcing the ASPs to check tires without the consent of the consumer in violation of the ... Automotive Repair Act, or force ASPs to refuse to provide any repair services at all to the consumer. These are legally untenable options ...

When does the backlash begin? These people are insane.

Note the "documentation" requirement for vehicle owners who say their tires are properly inflated. These owners can't be trusted to do this complex procedure all by themselves and then tell the truth about it. No, they have to GET OUTSIDE PROOF!

I will ask the gov's office if it backs the nuts at the air board or the sane people from the state Department of Consumer Affairs.

ADDENDUM, 3:20 P.M.:

It’s a still a draft rule – agencies are engaged in discussions and we’re helping them work it out. We’d like to see the rule get to a place where Californians are conscious of tire pressure and the impact it has on air quality – but without anything that would stick unsuspecting consumers with a bill.

from Amanda Fulkerson in the gov's office.