HCS HB 1181 & 1719 -- VEHICLE EMISSIONS INSPECTION PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Dempsey (Selby)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Job
Creation and Economic Development by a vote of 10 to 6 with 1
present.

This substitute requires the Air Conservation Commission to
suspend the operation of any motor vehicle emissions inspection
program on or before January 1, 2005.  The commission must revert
to the vehicle inspection standard found in Section 307.366,
RSMo, which states, in part, that in any portion of a non-
attainment area certain motor vehicles must be tested and
approved before they are sold and every two years to determine
that the emissions system is functioning in accordance with the
emission standards specified by the commission and as required to
attain the national health standards for air quality.

The substitute allows the commission to institute a decentralized
emission inspection program instead of the current program.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue of $40,382,069 in
FY 2005, $98,792 in FY 2006, and $101,261 in FY 2007.  Estimated
Cost on Other State Funds of $271,252 in FY 2005, $599,896 in FY
2006, and $570,549 in FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the current vehicle emissions
inspection program in St. Louis is not necessary because the air
quality has improved in the region due to fewer flights at
Lambert International Airport, less manufacturing in the region,
and better cars.  Great strides have been made in engine and fuel
technology that have reduced emissions.  Most newer cars
self-check themselves for emissions trouble and alert the driver
if there is a problem.  St. Louis is now in attainment status
eliminating the need for the emissions program.  The cost of
emissions testing has also gone down in recent years, but the
fees have not.  The $24 fee charged is too much, especially for
people living on fixed incomes.  These same individuals tend to
drive older cars which have emission problems and are expensive
to repeatedly test and repair.  St. Louis may be losing revenue
because some people will license their cars outside the city to
avoid the emissions testing and their property taxes then go to
that entity.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Selby; Mufflermat;
Ken Storm; Mike Christensen; Ernest N. Cook; Ray Mundy; and
United Auto Workers State CAP Council.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that emissions testing
is required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and that if the program ends in St. Louis, the state will
risk losing millions of federal highway dollars.  Missouri cannot
afford to take that risk.  St. Louis has reached attainment
status based on the EPA standards in effect prior to April 15,
2004.  When new standards take effect after April 15, St. Louis
will be in non-attainment status, requiring them to implement a
new program to reach attainment again.  According to the EPA,
vehicle inspection and maintenance programs are the most
efficient and effective measures available to help metropolitan
areas clean the air.  St. Louis has an extremely high rate of
childhood asthma which can be attributed to poor air quality.
This can be improved and controlled through vehicle emissions
testing.

Testifying against the bill were St. Louis Regional Chamber and
Growth Association; Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of
Missouri; Department of Transportation; Robinwood Automotive
Services; Sun Auto Service; Missouri Coalition for the
Environment; Sierra Club; American Cancer Society; American Lung
Association of Missouri; City of St. Louis; Associated Industries
of Missouri; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and ESP
Missouri, Incorporated.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill answered technical
questions.

Others testifying on the bill was Department of Natural
Resources.

Alice Hurley, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:14 am