Legislature accused of making classic mistake in law on cars

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 | 10:58 a.m.

James Sohns of Las Vegas, president of the Nevada Car Owners Association, said he'll urge state environmental officials to limit eligibility so that "junk cars" still undergo yearly emissions tests.

Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, one of the cosponsors of the bill and the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, agreed that the law was intended only for classic cars.

"We did not mean (SB430) to be carte blanche for 60,000 vehicles," O'Donnell said. "We meant it only for classic cars and to encourage the rebuilding of classic cars."

The law says annual smog tests will be eliminated for restored cars with special license plates reserved for "classic vehicles," "street rods" and "classic rods."

A "classic vehicle" is described as one manufactured in 1972 or before. A "classic rod" is any passenger car or light truck that has a carrying capacity of one ton or less and was manufactured at least 20 years ago. And street rods must have been made before 1948.

Nevada law requires that cars made after 1968 and registered in the Las Vegas and Reno areas undergo annual testing to make sure they aren't emitting dirty air.

When the bill was first introduced, only "classic vehicles" were exempt. State environmental officials estimated 20,429 vehicles would qualify for the exemption - such a small number that it wouldn't hurt air quality.

But the bill was expanded in O'Donnell's Transportation Committee. It was rewritten four times on its way to final passage and approval by the governor.

Sohns said he will ask that only the 1968-1972 vehicles that have been restored and have classic car plates be exempt from any future smog testing. He wants to require smog tests for the street rods and classic rods.

State officials are looking for suggestions from car club members on how to define a restored vehicle and what standards must be adopted to allow them to escape the smog test.