Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4, Part 1; Title 55, Chapter 6 and Title 68, Chapter 201.

Under present law, certain counties in this state require the successful completion of a motor vehicle emissions test prior to the issuance or renewal of registration or registration plates. <br /> <br /> This bill authorizes an owner or operator of a motor vehicle required to undergo such testing to elect a tailpipe emissions test in lieu of an onboard diagnostic test if the vehicle has an illuminated check engine light at the time of testing.<br /> <br /> This bill specifies that it will take effect on the January 1 following the date on which the environmental protection agency (EPA) approves a revised state implementation plan consistent with this bill. The commissioner of environment and conservation must certify in writing to the executive secretary of the Tennessee code commission the date of the approval by the EPA and provide the executive secretary with a copy of the approval. However, if on January 1 following EPA approval of a revised state implementation plan consistent with this bill, a contract exists between the department and a contractor providing inspection services, or a local pollution control program and a contractor providing inspection services, then this bill will take effect in the jurisdictions covered by the contract upon the date of the contract's termination or expiration or the effective date of the contract's renewal or an applicable amendment to the contract's inspection service fee. This bill requires the commissioner of environment and conservation or the chief public officer of the local pollution control program, whichever is applicable, to provide notice to the executive secretary of the code commission of the dates that would trigger the effectiveness of this bill in jurisdictions where there are existing contracts. <br /> <br />