JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri legislature ended its session May 31 without the Senate's taking up Missouri House Bill 451 (HB 451), which would have repealed the state law that all vehicles have a safety inspection before being licensed.
HB 451 previously had passed the Missouri House of Representatives. Rep. J. Eggleston, a Republican representing Missouri's Second District north of Kansas City, sponsored the bill.
Mr. Eggleston told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he considered it a burden on Missouri motorists to pay $12 for the inspection and take time off work for it.
Professional associations including the Automotive Service Association (ASA), Auto Care Association (ACA) and Tire Industry Association (TIA) urged their members in Missouri to contact their state legislators in opposition to HB 451.
"Regular safety inspections by a qualified technician can identify and repair most safety issues arising from normal wear and tear on the vehicle," ASA Washington Representative Robert L. Redding said.
Missouri is one of 15 states to have legal requirements for some form of periodic vehicle safety inspection. The others are Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.