Virginia Senate suspends bill to change car inspection requirements

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Virginia Senate Bill 526, introduced by state Sen. Mamie Locke, has been suspended until 2009. This bill would change the car inspection requirement to every two years rather than the annual requirement currently in place. It would also increase the maximum allowable fee for most vehicles.

Gov. Timothy Kaine (D) had suggested replacing the annual $16 inspection fee with a $20 fee every two years as a way to save money for Virginians. He also claimed this would allow state police who are tasked with examining facilities that perform the inspections more time to patrol Virginia highways.

The bill was introduced Jan. 9, 2008, and was referred to the Virginia Senate Committee on Transportation. The Senate Transportation Committee continued the bill until 2009 at the request of the bill sponsor.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposed the legislation. To view Virginia Senate Bill 526, visit ASA’s legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. The bill can be found by clicking “Track Current Legislation” and then following the link to “See State Leg. Bills.”