(1) Pursuant to the federal clean air act, the legislature adopts the California motor vehicle emission standards in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. The department of ecology shall adopt rules to implement the motor vehicle emission standards of the state of California, including the zero emission vehicle program, and shall amend the rules from time to time, to maintain consistency with the California motor vehicle emission standards and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 7507 (section 177 of the federal clean air act).

(2) The provisions of this chapter do not apply with respect to the use by a resident of this state of a motor vehicle acquired and used while the resident is a member of the armed services and is stationed outside this state pursuant to military orders.

Findings—2005 c 295: "The legislature finds that:

(1) Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollution in the state of Washington, and motor vehicles contribute approximately fifty-seven percent of criteria air pollutant emissions, eighty percent of air toxics emissions, and fifty-five percent of greenhouse gas emissions;

(2) Air pollution levels routinely measured in the state of Washington continue to harm public health, the environment, and the economy. Air pollution causes or contributes to premature death, cancer, asthma, and heart and lung disease. Over half of the state's population suffers from one or more medical conditions that make them very vulnerable to air pollution. Air pollution increases pain and suffering for vulnerable individuals. Air pollution imposes several hundred million dollars annually in added health care costs for air pollution-associated death and illness, reducing the quality of life and economic security of the citizens of Washington;

(3) Reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation sources are necessary, and it is equitable to seek such reductions because reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have already been initiated in other sectors such as power generation;

(4) Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions made under this act should be credited toward any future federal, state, or regional comprehensive regulatory structure enacted to address reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

(5) Under the federal clean air act, the state of Washington has the option to implement either federal motor vehicle emission standards or California motor vehicle emission standards for passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles;

(6) Opting into the California motor vehicle standards will provide significant and necessary air quality benefits to residents of the state of Washington; and

(7) Adoption of the California motor vehicle standards will increase consumer choices of cleaner vehicles, provide better warranties to consumers, and provide sufficient air quality benefit to allow additional business and economic growth in the key airsheds of the state while maintaining conformance with federal air quality standards." [ 2005 c 295 s 1.]

Effective date—2005 c 295 ss 1, 2, 7, and 11-13: "Sections 1, 2, 7, and 11 through 13 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately [May 6, 2005]." [ 2005 c 295 s 15.]

Individual automobile manufacturers may certify independent automobile repair shops to perform warranty service on the manufacturers' vehicles. Upon certification of the independent automobile repair shops, the manufacturers shall compensate the repair shops at the same rate as franchised dealers for covered warranty repair services.

Findings—2005 c 295: See note following RCW 70A.30.010.

(1) No model year 2010 or subsequent model year new passenger car, light duty truck, or medium duty vehicle may be sold in Washington unless there is securely and conspicuously affixed in a clearly visible location a label on which the manufacturer clearly discloses comparative greenhouse gas emissions for that new vehicle.

(2) The label required by this section should include a greenhouse gas index or rating system that contains quantitative and graphical information presented in a continuous, easy-to-read scale that compares the greenhouse gas emissions from the vehicle with the average projected greenhouse gas emissions from all passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty vehicles of the same model year. For reference purposes, the index or rating system should also identify the greenhouse gas emissions from the vehicle model of that same model year that has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions.

(3) The index or rating system included in the label under subsection (2) of this section shall be updated as necessary to ensure that the differences in greenhouse gas emissions among vehicles are readily apparent to the consumer.

(4) An automobile manufacturer may apply to the department of ecology for approval of an alternative to the disclosure labeling requirement that is at least as effective in providing notification and disclosure of the vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions as is the labeling required by this section.

(5) A label that complies with the requirements of the California greenhouse gas vehicle labeling program shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this section and any rules adopted under this section.

(6) The department of ecology may adopt such rules as are necessary to implement this section.

Intent—2008 c 32: "The legislature intends that new passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles for sale in Washington display clear and easy to understand information disclosing the new vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions. Further, the legislature intends that disclosure of such emissions serves as a means of educating consumers, other motorists, and the general public about the sources of greenhouse gas, their impact, available options, and in particular the role and contribution of automobiles and other motor vehicles." [ 2008 c 32 s 1.]