How a Bill Becomes Law . . . or Doesn't

[SacramentoMike]

I think it's kind of interesting, reading through the twists and turns of bills like SB435 in the California Legislature. Who knows who said what to whom to influence the changes it's gone through, or why this--or any other--bill seldom comes out of the end of the sausage maker looking anything like it did when it went in, but here are the highlights of this one.

When the bill was introduced in February, it was about imposing the same biennial smog check requirement on most motorcycles that cars here have to go through. It had support from all the "clean air" and "healthy lung" organizations. Well, after it was amended five more times, pollution standards somehow morphed into noise emission standards. The bill now proposes a fine for motorcycles not sporting a federally-required Environmental Protection Agency sticker or label (required since 1983--I'm guessing we probably all have it, somewhere). Modified (think "loud") exhaust systems are basically subject to a "fix it" ticket. It also includes "the offense of disconnecting, modifying, or altering a required pollution control device." Being a mechanical violation, "a peace officer shall not stop a motorcycle solely on a suspicion of a violation of this section. A peace officer shall cite a violation of this section as a secondary infraction." Odd. Wonder how they'll enforce it then.

Anyhow, we've ducked the smog check for a while longer. It's not the first time they've tried to get this through, and it won't be the last, but the longer we do without it, the better, IMO. This one originally wouldn't have taken effect until 2012, so now we're even farther out than that, at least. The history of this thing makes kind of interesting reading, if only to show why we can't ever seem to get anything done at all. It's here, if you're interested. (For whatever reason, I can't link to the specific bill. On the page I've linked to, enter "Senate" in the "House" box and type in the bill number (435). It will come up.) The analyses make it easier to follow; just watch the dates.

 

[Tree Doc]

Such typical BS from the egg suckin' dog liberal pukes. First, Pavely presents it as a "clean air" issue on par with all automobiles. It gets shot down. So, rather than watering it down, she goes at it with even MORE regulation, fines, and more? Just goes to show how the liberal majority in Kalifornistan rolls. It's never good enough until it really puts a hurt on the citizens of the state....then, and only then, will they vote it in.

 

[madmike2]

Beware:

Forum Guidelines:

2. No religious/moral philosophy/political crap.

True, false, opinion, regardless.....don't visit this area in your posts lest the admins wreak havoc on your forum privileges.

'Nuff sed!?!?

 

[Ignacio]

Such typical BS from the egg suckin'.....

This is the kinda stuff that sends otherwise exempted threads off the rails. Please don't.

Sacramento Mike did a decent job presenting it as a political item that affects FJR and cyclists and could be discussed rationally.

You want to rant and howl at the moon about liberals, K's in California, and the general woes of your neck getting stepped on....please find another place to do it. There are plenty of other places on the internet for that kind of divisive crap.

Thanks.

The Management

 

[MojaveFJR]

Yeah, that 90 dB limit or whatever it is never gets in enforced unless they you are pulled over for something else. Exhausts are required to be stamped with the dB limit or for OFF ROAD USE ONLY.

Obviously not that important or we would see a lot of HD riders pulled over.

 

[exskibum]

Nah, guys . . . foaming at the mouth at whole generalized classifications of people one hasn't met and doesn't know is why God gave us the ignore button on motorsport fora, isn't it? 'Cept for what Iggy quoted, I cain't see a thing.

(On a serious note, THANK YOU to the admins for this rule and its enforcement. You want a mouth foaming motorcycle site that has become 2% about the motorcycle it was founded around, 13% childishness about feces and the like, and 85% foaming at the mouth political rants about ANYONE who dares disagree with any part of the approved political orthodoxy, log into the Blackbird site that neither WC nor I frequent anymore.)

BTW, good post with interesting info, SM.

 

[Old Michael]

Nah, guys . . . foaming at the mouth at whole generalized classifications of people one hasn't met and doesn't know is why God gave us the ignore button on motorsport fora, isn't it? 'Cept for what Iggy quoted, I cain't see a thing.
(On a serious note, THANK YOU to the admins for this rule and its enforcement. You want a mouth foaming motorcycle site that has become 2% about the motorcycle it was founded around, 13% childishness about feces and the like, and 85% foaming at the mouth political rants about ANYONE who dares disagree with any part of the approved political orthodoxy, log into the Blackbird site that neither WC nor I frequent anymore.)

BTW, good post with interesting info, SM.

Geez, Rich. I can't help liking you.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Geez, Rich. I can't help liking you.

Geez OM! Tyler knows a women's bathroom where you can get some love aids for your new interest...

 

[exskibum]

Geez, Rich. I can't help liking you.

Geez OM! Tyler knows a women's bathroom where you can get some love aids for your new interest...

Horny Goat Weed?!?

 

[tmc]

+2 Agreed well said Rich.

I have left several forums for that very reason.

As for this law... while I'm no fan of it, it wouldn't affect me as I typically leave well enough alone - although the Holeshots on me Feej are likely just a hair under the prescribed 95db...

 

[Tree Doc]

Sorry for the derail Sac Mike and Gang,

As a business owner constantly struggling to survive in this State, there are a whole lot of political issues that really get my blood boiling and in a roundabout way, this is one of them! When I read the post, there was the usual explosive release of Miasmic Gas and my head was deep in the cloud. I forgot where I was for that moment, I guess.

From here on out, I'll keep it FJR's. Just try not to get me started. :assassin:

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Geez, Rich. I can't help liking you.

Geez OM! Tyler knows a women's bathroom where you can get some love aids for your new interest...

Horny Goat Weed?!?

Whatever it takes.

 

[n1acguy]

Being a mechanical violation, "a peace officer shall not stop a motorcycle solely on a suspicion of a violation of this section. Apeace officer shall cite a violation of this section as a secondary infraction." Odd. Wonder how they'll enforce it then.

What that means is that if you get stopped for speeding or some other traffic violation, then they'll cite you for an equipment violation. Sounds like they want to implement this the same way they did the seatbelt law. At first they couldn't stop you for a seat belt violation, and were only able to write you up for it if they first stopped you for something else. People didn't scream about it too much, so later on they amended so that they could stop you solely for not wearing your seatbelt.

There was some CHP prick patrolling Angeles Crest Hwy for a while that if he stopped you for something like speeding, would write an equipment violation for an after market windscreen if it was tinted. I'm talking about the little windscreen on most sport bikes, the one you don't look through unless you duck down and lay on the tank. That was just harassment.

Not that I'm for government regulation, but considering the political climate we have here, I'm kind of surprised we don't already have emissions testing mandated for our bikes when states like Arizona already have it. A few years ago SCAQMD (south coast air quality management district) wanted to ban charcoal barbecues.

Nothing they come up with surprises me too much anymore.