(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.]