Emission program changes pass Senate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Senate gave final approval Thursday to legislation overhauling the emissions inspection program in the St. Louis area. The Senate's 29-4 vote sends the bill to the governor. The measure no longer contains a provision the Senate included earlier this year that would have done away with vehicle safety inspections statewide. Missouri vehicles must pass a safety inspection every two years before they can be relicensed by the state.

The bill changes the emissions process required in the St. Louis area by doing away with centralized testing and allowing more shops to do the test, if they meet certain requirements. The bill also gives most owners of new vehicles a break from the emissions inspection for the first four years.

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Emissions bill is SB583.

On the Net:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov