After an outpouring of public opposition, legislation to adopt California’s vehicle emissions standards was held in committee this week.

HB 1634 (Gonzalez), if passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker, would outsource Illinois’ vehicle emissions standards to an unelected board in California.

It would require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to adopt and maintain rules implementing “the motor vehicle emissions standards of the State of California.”

After more than 3,700 individuals, groups, and businesses filed in opposition to these new vehicle-emissions standards, the sponsor agreed to hold the bill for the present and the committee hearing was canceled.

“Thanks to public outcry, this harmful mandate was stopped this week,” said Noah Finley, Illinois State Director for NFIB, “but it could be resurrected again later this session. NFIB will continue to monitor this bill and others like it.”