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2008 -- H 7523 | |
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LC00184 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
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JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008 | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- AMEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL | |
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CONSERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO VEHICLE GLOBAL WARMING INDEX | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Walsh, Segal, Gallison, Lewiss, and Silva | |
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Date Introduced: February 26, 2008 | |
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Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources | |
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It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
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SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "Motor and Other vehicles" is hereby |
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
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CHAPTER 5.5 |
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VEHICLE GLOBAL WARMING INDEX LABELS |
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31-5.5-1. Definitions. – For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have |
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the following meanings: |
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(1) "Motor Vehicle" shall means a passenger vehicle, light-duty truck with a gross |
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vehicle weight of eighty-five hundred (8,500) pounds or less, or any other vehicle determined by |
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the registrar to be a vehicle whose primary use is noncommercial personal transportation and |
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which is manufactured for the model year two thousand ten (2010) or subsequent model year; and |
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(2) "Motor Vehicle Global Warming Gases" or "Global Warming Gases" shall mean |
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carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur |
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hexafluoride. |
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31-5.5-2. Vehicle Global Warming Index Labels. – (1) No model year two thousand |
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ten (2010) or subsequent model year motor vehicle shall be sold in this state unless there is |
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securely and conspicuously affixed in a clearly visible location, a label on which the |
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manufacturer shall endorse clearly, distinctly, and legibly true and correct entries disclosing |
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information concerning the emission of global warming gases. |
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(2) Unless alternative labeling is approved by the registrar pursuant to section 31-5.5-3, |
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the label required by subsection 1 of this section shall include: (a) a global warming index that |
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contains quantitative information presented in a continuous, easy-to-read scale, unless the |
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registrar determines, after public hearing, that an alternative graphical representation will more |
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effectively convey the information to consumers, and that compares the emissions of global |
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warming gases from the vehicle with the average projected emissions of global warming gases |
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from all vehicles of that same model year. For reference purposes, the index shall also identify |
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the emissions of global warming gases from the vehicle model of that same model year that has |
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the lowest emissions of global warming gases; and (b) the use of at least one color ink, as |
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determined by the registrar, in addition to black. |
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(3) In order to ensure that the label is useful and informative to consumers, the registrar |
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shall, in designing the label and to the extent feasible within its existing resources: a) seek input |
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from the registrar of motor vehicles, automotive consumers, graphic design professionals, and |
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persons with expertise in environmental labeling; and (b) consider other relevant label formats |
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consistent with paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of this section. |
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(4) The index included in the label pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of this |
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section shall be updated as determined necessary by the registrar to ensure that the differences in |
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emissions among vehicles are readily apparent to the consumer. |
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(5) Such label and index included in such label shall, to the largest extent possible, be |
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consistent with labels and information required by other states. An automobile manufacturer may |
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apply to the registrar for approval of an alternative to the labeling requirement that is at least as |
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effective in providing presale notification of the vehicle's emissions of global warming gases as is |
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the labeling required by this chapter. |
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(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a purchaser from removing |
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the label, required by this section, after such purchaser has taken possession of the vehicle. |
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31-5.5-3. Regulations. – The registrar is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate |
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rules and/or regulations specifying labeling requirements necessary for the implementation of this |
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title; provided, however, that any such rules and/or regulations may allow for the use of labels |
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adopted by the state of Rhode Island that generally meet the requirements of this chapter. |
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC00184 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
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BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
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OF | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- AMEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL | |
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CONSERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO VEHICLE GLOBAL WARMING INDEX | |
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TABLE. | |
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This act would require automobile and light-truck manufacturers to affix a label on all |
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new vehicles offered for sale contain a global warming index detailing its carbon dioxide and |
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other global warming gases. |
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This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC00184 | |
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