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2023 SESSION

23102994D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 537
Offered January 11, 2023
Prefiled January 11, 2023
Requesting the Secretary of Public Safety to study the impact of federal emissions standards on the quality, cost, and availability of emergency response vehicles. Report.
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Patrons-- LaRock and Wiley
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards regulating heavy-duty diesel engines; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, the EPA acknowledged that abnormal conditions of the emission control system could lead to decreased engine power, speed, or torque and adopted regulatory flexibility for fire trucks and ambulances to prevent emission-related power loss on these emergency response vehicles; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, the EPA expanded regulatory flexibility to allow for case-by-case approval for engines used in other types of motor vehicles to be used in emergency response vehicles in situations where the functioning or malfunctioning of the standard emission control system could prevent the vehicle from performing as necessary; and

WHEREAS, regulatory flexibility creates a voluntary option for engine manufacturers to provide improved emergency response vehicles; and

WHEREAS, emergency response vehicles make up a small percentage of the vehicle market and few, if any, engine manufacturers are manufacturing or updating engines for emergency response vehicles as authorized by the EPA; and

WHEREAS, emergency services organizations in the Commonwealth are struggling with the cost and availability of reliable emergency response vehicles and the cost and delay associated with repairing such vehicles; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Secretary of Public Safety be requested to study the impact of federal emissions standards on the quality, cost, and availability of emergency response vehicles.

In conducting his study, the Secretary of Public Safety (Secretary) shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, the Virginia Ambulance Association, the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, the Regional EMS Council Directors, and motor vehicle engine and parts manufacturers. The Secretary shall identify the issues with existing emergency response vehicles and how such issues are impacting emergency services in the Commonwealth. The Secretary shall also determine any barriers to manufacturing and acquiring improved vehicles or engines and parts for such vehicles and recommend solutions to overcoming such barriers.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Secretary of Public Safety for this study, upon request.

The Secretary of Public Safety shall complete his meetings by November 30, 2023, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of his findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.