The House of Delegates handed environmentalists a long-sought victory as it approved legislation yesterday requiring vehicle emissions testing for large trucks and buses that burn diesel fuel.

The legislation has passed the Senate in nearly identical form, meaning final passage is virtually assured.

The bill, sponsored by Baltimore County Democrat Del. Dan K. Morhaim, passed the House 122-10 with no debate.

It would subject Maryland's 70,000 diesel trucks and buses weighing more than 10,000 pounds, along with the same class of out-of-state vehicles, to random testing for the amount of soot or black smoke that spews out of their exhaust pipes.

Vehicles would be tested at weigh stations beginning in July 2000 based on standards endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency and used by 11 other states, said Maj. Richard A. Brown, commander of the state police truck safety division.

"What this does is say that you have to keep your truck in tune," said Sen. Jennie M. Forehand, who co-sponsored the Senate version with Sen. Walter M. Baker, a Cecil County Democrat.

Forehand, a Montgomery County Democrat, said the legislation would crack down on a fleet of durable but aging diesel trucks that spew out fumes in violation of current manufacturing standards for new diesel trucks.

Brown said three teams, each made up of a state trooper and a civilian, would be assigned to different parts of the state to test trucks stopped for routine inspections at weigh stations. The teams might occasionally make stops along the interstates, he said.

He said the inspections would require inserting a portable "wand-like device" into a truck's exhaust pipe. The test would take about 15 minutes, and between 10,000 and 12,000 trucks would be inspected each year, he said.

Vehicles that violate the standards would have 30 days to make repairs. Truck owners who fail to make repairs could have their registrations suspended or be fined up to $1,000, according to the bill.

Copies of citations issued to out-of-state trucks would be provided to the U.S Department of Transportation, which could audit trucking firms repeatedly cited by Maryland and other states.

A department pilot program between 1993 and 1995 found that 40 percent of the 1,500 trucks voluntarily tested had excessive smoke emissions, said spokesman Ron Lipinksy.

Forehand said she has been trying to pass such legislation since 1988 but that this is the first year the governor and the trucking industry have supported it.

"There's more support out there because there's greater recognition of the dangers from this kind of pollution," said Forehand.

Walter C. Thompson, an Annapolis lobbyist for the trucking industry, said the industry sees the bill as a reasonable measure to help clear the air.

"If your truck's not belching any smoke, you're not going to be slowed down," Thompson said.

Pub Date: 3/26/99