Missouri State Sen. Bill Stouffer has introduced legislation that would change the Missouri Vehicle Safety Inspection Program to exempt vehicles from testing for their first 10 years. Missouri Senate Bill 58, introduced Jan. 7, 2009, has been passed by the Senate and is now in the hands of the Missouri House of Representatives.
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposes changes proposed to the Missouri Vehicle Safety Inspection Program. These proposed changes allow a car to have 150,000 miles or more (based on the average annual mileage of 15,000) before its first vehicle safety inspection. The bill’s effect would be to create less-safe highways in the state of Missouri. This could mean more accidents leading to more injuries and possibly deaths.
There has been a history of safety inspection legislation in Missouri. During the last legislative session, Missouri Rep. Jason Brown introduced House Bill 1486 that would have exempted vehicles from testing for their first six years. Prior to this, Missouri Sen. Charlie Shields offered Senate Bill 17 that would have abolished the state’s inspection program, excluding the St. Louis metropolitan area and school buses.
ASA asks Missouri repairers to contact their state representative and express their opposition to S.B. 58.
To view the text of this legislation and to send a pre-written letter in opposition to S.B. 58, visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com. Click on the “Legislative Alert Center” tab.
ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to http://www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at http://www.TakingTheHill.com.
