CA AB2381

Requires the State Air Resources Board to enhance its certification, audit, and compliance activities for new motor vehicles to detect defeat devices or other software used to evade emissions testing, including increased use of in-use and real-world conditions emissions testing.

Authorizes the State Air Resources Board to consult or partner with academic institutions and laboratories to develop new surveillance methods, perform emissions testing, and conduct research on vehicle emissions.

Authorizes the State Air Resources Board to impose fees on new motor vehicle manufacturers to recover costs of implementing enhanced certification and compliance activities, capped at $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2019-20 with future increases limited to the California Consumer Price Index.

Establishes penalties for manufacturers that fail to pay imposed fees, including a 10 percent additional charge for payment beyond 60 days, interest charges, and escalating penalties for unpaid balances after one and two years.

Deposits fee revenues in the Certification and Compliance Fund and deposits penalty moneys in the Air Pollution Control Fund.