Archive-Name: gov/us/fed/congress/record/1998/jul/20/1998CRH5891/part2 [[Page H5897]]        The congressman said it is simple for agents to ensure that      border commuters have had smog checks simply by entering      license plate numbers into a computer data_base_.        Some lawmakers said they were concerned that the bill does      not address commercial vehicles, only passenger cars. A      Bilbray aide explained that including commercial vehicles      would open ``a Pandora's box of problems'' which could hinder      cross-border commerce under the North American Free Trade      Agreement.        Rep. Ron K_link_, D-Pa., expressed worry that Bilbray's      legislation might distract border agents from the more      pressing duties of intercepting illegal drug traffic and      illegal immigrants.        ``I have concerns about the smog coming from the tailpipes      of these vehicles, but in the whole scheme of things it seems      . . . less of a priority,'' K_link_ said.        Bilbray assured him that U.S. Customs Service agents do not      believe that the legislation would create ``unacceptable or      unrealistic workloads . . . nor interfere with'' the      interception of illegal drugs and illegal immigrants.                                   ____           [From Environment & Energy Mid-Week. June 25, 1998]    Border Smog Bill Wins Bipartisan Backing in House Commerce Markup                             [By Neil Franz]        Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) succeeded on Wednesday in      gaining the support of key Democrats for an amended version      of the Border Smog Reduction Act, and the House Commerce      Committee was at press time preparing for what seemed a      noncontroversial final vote. Addressing concerns of ``opening      up'' the Clean Air Act, which H.R. 8 amends, Chairman Tom      Bliley (R-Va.) pledged to do everything in his power to keep      the bill narrow and suggested the House leadership proceed on      the floor under suspension of the rules.        Written by Bilbray, who represents the San Diego area, H.R.      8 changes the CAA to deny entry into the United States any      foreign vehicles that do not comply with state laws governing      motor vehicles emissions. Some Mexicans, as well as      Americans, who live in Mexico but commute to the United      States are apparently ignoring the federal law's directive to      have their vehicles registered in their working state