BILL NUMBER: SB 724 VETOED DATE: 09/06/2011 To the Members of the California State Senate: I am returning Senate Bill 724 without my signature. This bill would require the Air Resources Board (ARB) to respond to an applicant in writing within 30 working days of receipt of a certification application for a vehicle, engine, or equipment family regarding the application's completeness and acceptance for filing. If the ARB determines that the application is not complete, ARB must specify in writing the information required to make it complete. The ARB's vehicle and equipment certification process is intended to ensure that new vehicles, equipment, and engines sold in California meet minimum emission standards to protect air quality and public health. Under the current certification process, the ARB works closely with applicants to obtain the information necessary to make an approval determination and issue a certification for sale. In fact, ARB issues approval determinations within 90 days for over 96 percent of applications once they are deemed complete. Moreover, this bill could interfere with the iterative information gathering application approval process, thereby rushing the process and inadvertently allowing vehicles with defective emission components on the market. Finally, I would note that no real or convincing evidence has been presented to me that justifies a rigid, 30 day deadline for a written response. Sincerely, Edmund G. Brown Jr.