The Missouri House of Representatives has eliminated the language in Senate Bill 58 that would have greatly expanded the length of time before an inspection under Missouri’s state vehicle safety inspection program.
Missouri S.B. 58, an act that modifies several provisions of law relating to transportation, would have exempted vehicles from safety inspection testing for their first 10 years, which would have allowed a car to have been driven 150,000 miles or more (based on the average annual mileage of 15,000) before its first vehicle safety inspection.
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) had shared its opposition to the bill, in a letter to Missouri repair shop owners, Robert L. Redding Jr., ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative, asked repairers to contact their legislators to oppose provisions diluting the safety inspection program. The letter noted that “Missouri’s safety inspection program has been a model for other states. Missouri law enforcement officials are to be commended for the program’s contributions.”
“We want to thank Missouri repair shop owners for contacting their legislators asking that they oppose efforts to weaken the state safety inspection program,” Redding says. “This should be an example to repairers in other states that speaking up does have value in the political process.”
Approximately 20 states have some form of periodic motor vehicle safety inspection program. Programs in Missouri and North Carolina often face the threat of elimination. ASA is working in an industry coalition to protect current programs and expand inspection programs to other states. Legislation has also been introduced in the U.S. Congress that will encourage states to initiate new programs.
To view the updated version of this bill, visit ASA’s legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.
