Wisconsin Code § 285.30

Motor vehicle emissions limitations; inspections
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(1) DEFINITIONS. As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) “Federal act” means the federal clean air act, 42 USC 7401
et seq., and regulations issued by the federal environmental protection agency under that act.
(b) “Motor vehicle” has the meaning designated under s.
340.01 (35).
(2) LIMITATIONS. The department shall adopt rules specifying emissions limitations for all motor vehicles not exempted under sub. (5). The limitations may be different for each size, type
and year of vehicle engine affected and may not be more stringent
than those required by federal law at the time of the vehicle’s
manufacture. The limitations shall be adopted and periodically
revised upon consideration of the following factors:
(a) The emissions reductions necessary to achieve federally
mandated ambient air quality standards by any deadline established by the federal act and to maintain those standards after any
deadline established by the federal act.
(b) The emissions levels attainable by reasonable preventive
maintenance practices relating to installed emission control
equipment and devices for each model year, size and type of motor vehicle affected.
(c) The requirements for eligibility for a manufacturer’s warranty under section 7541 (b) of the federal act.
(d) The requirements of the federal act.
(3) COUNTIES WHERE INSPECTIONS REQUIRED. If the department finds that air quality within a county will not meet one or
more applicable primary or secondary ambient air quality standards by any deadline established by the federal act, or that these
standards will not be maintained in the county after any deadline
established by the federal act and that inspection of emissions
from motor vehicles in any part of the county is required by federal law to attain or maintain these standards, the department
shall certify this finding to the department of transportation.
(4) TERMINATION. If the department finds that air quality
within a county specified in a certification under sub. (3) has attained all applicable ambient air quality standards and that these
standards will be maintained in the county or that control of motor vehicle emissions is no longer required by federal law for attainment and maintenance of these standards, the department
shall notify the department of transportation that the county is
withdrawn from the certification under sub. (3).
(5) EXEMPTIONS. Emissions limitations promulgated under
sub. (2) do not apply to the following motor vehicles:
(a) A motor vehicle of a model year of 1995 or earlier.
(b) A motor vehicle of a model year of 2006 or earlier that has
a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 8,500 pounds, as determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle, and a motor vehicle of
a model year of 2007 or later that has a gross vehicle weight rating

exceeding 14,000 pounds, as determined by the manufacturer of
the vehicle.
(c) A motor vehicle exempt from registration under s. 341.05,
except that a motor vehicle owned by the United States is not exempt unless it comes under par. (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (j),
(k), or (m).
(d) A motor vehicle of a model year of 2006 or earlier that is
powered by diesel fuel.
(e) A new motor vehicle not previously registered in any state.
(f) A motor vehicle for which inspection, in the judgment of
the department, is not a cost effective method for attaining and
maintaining air quality.
(g) A moped as defined in s. 340.01 (29m).
(h) A motorcycle as defined in s. 340.01 (32).
(i) A farm truck as defined in s. 340.01 (18) (a).
(j) An off-road utility vehicle as defined in s. 340.01 (38m).
(k) A low-speed vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (27h).
(L) A lightweight utility vehicle as defined in s. 346.94 (21)
(a) 2.
(m) An autocycle, as defined in s. 340.01 (3m).
(6) TAMPERING WITH POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM OR
MECHANISM. (a) Definitions. As used in this subsection:
1. “Air pollution control equipment” means any equipment
or feature which constitutes an operational element of the air pollution control system or mechanism of a motor vehicle.
3. “Tamper” means to dismantle, to remove without replacing with an identical or comparable tested replacement device or
to cause to be inoperative any air pollution control equipment.
(b) Prohibition. Except as permitted or authorized by rule of
the department, no person may fail to maintain in good working
order or may tamper with air pollution control equipment.
(c) Ineligibility for motor vehicle registration. Except as permitted or authorized by rule of the department, if any person tampers with the air pollution control equipment of a motor vehicle,
that vehicle is ineligible for motor vehicle registration until the air
pollution control equipment is replaced, repaired or restored to
good working order.
(d) Suspension or cancellation of motor vehicle registration.
Except as permitted or authorized by rule of the department, if
the owner of a motor vehicle tampers with or causes or knowingly
permits any person to tamper with the air pollution control equipment, the motor vehicle registration for that vehicle may be suspended or canceled in addition to any other penalty provided by
law.
(e) Rule making. The department shall promulgate rules that
specify the requirements for the inspection of motor vehicles for
the occurrence of tampering with air pollution control
equipment.

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