Two new laws in California remove sunset dates on the application of fees on motor vehicles. Another new law boosts the amount charged to vehicles.

The first bill – SB348 – extends for four years the authority of an annual fee of up to $4 on vehicles registered within San Mateo County.

The new law removes the Jan. 1, 2009, sunset date on the authorization of the fee and extends its application until Jan. 1, 2013. Revenue from the fee is authorized to manage traffic congestion and storm water pollution in the county.

For the fee to be implemented, the board of the City/County Association of Governments in San Mateo County must adopt a resolution.

A fiscal analysis included in the bill shows that about $2.7 million annually would be raised for traffic congestion and storm water-related programs.

Advocates for the fee say it is intended to provide continued funding for “critically needed” and state-mandated programs at a time local funding for the program is scarce.

Another new law also removes a sunset date on collecting fees. Previously SB1646, it deletes the 2010 end date on the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s authority to impose an additional $1 fee on motor vehicles that are registered within its district.

Revenue generated is used to fund programs to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles in parts of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and all of Orange County.

Supporters of the fee say extra attention is needed to combat the risk of contracting cancer from airborne pollutants in Southern California. The high risk can be directly attributed to diesel-fueled engines in the basin, they say.

One more new law authorizes the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District to increase motor vehicle registrations to as much as $30. State law now authorizes air pollution control districts and air quality management districts to levy a fee of up to $2 on motor vehicle registrations.

AB2522 also requires at least $10 million of the revenue generated to be used to lessen air pollution in “disproportionately impacted” communities in the San Joaquin Valley.

According to an analysis of the bill, programs that will be supported by revenue from the fees will focus on modernizing the fleets of passenger vehicles and light-duty and heavy-duty trucks.

In an effort to reduce air pollution from vehicles, the new law also authorizes the San Joaquin Valley district to adopt rules and regulations to reduce vehicle trips.

To view other legislative activities of interest for California in 2008, click here.

– By Keith Goble, state legislative editor
keith_goble@landlinemag.com