Pennsylvania House Bill 1614 Weakens Vehicle Emissions Inspections and Maintenance Program

Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa.
© Niagra CC BY-SA 3.0

ASA Asks Repairers to Send Letters in Opposition to House Bill 1614

Pennsylvania House Bill 1614, introduced by state Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-10, seeks to eliminate emissions inspections for certain vehicles.

The bill, which is currently before the House Committee on Transportation, includes the following provisions:

• Vehicles never before registered in the state will be exempt from emission inspections for 10 years from the date of original registration.
• Vehicles powered by electric, hybrid electric or compressed natural gas will be exempt from emission inspections.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposes the 10-year emissions inspection exemption. H.B. 1614 stands to weaken Pennsylvania’s successful vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program. The annual inspection often drives vehicle maintenance by creating an awareness of air quality issues. The bill also ignores the environmental science behind the inspections by failing to consider the effects of poor air quality on at-risk groups such as children and the elderly.

If passed, the legislation will take effect within 60 days of its approval.

ASA is urging Pennsylvania’s independent repairers to send a letter in opposition to their state representatives. To send a letter and to view the full text of the bill, visit the alerts section of ASA’s legislative website and scroll down to scroll down to Pennsylvania House Bill Weakens Vehicle Emissions Inspections and Maintenance Program.