[DeTomaso] Any Panteras in Missouri ?

[Daniel C Jones]

> All motor vehicles driven less than 12,000 miles between the biennial
> safety inspection are also exempt.

I read this to mean that if you put less than 6000 miles per year on the
car, then you don't need to have an emissions inspection even if your
car is post-1996.  Seems like a big loophole.  Disconnect the odometer
and you never need an emissions inspection.  Missouri has provisions for
historic vehicles at least 25 years old.  Several of my vehicles, including
the Pantera are registered as historic vehicles.  A one time fee of $25.25
and you never need a safety or emissions test again, nor do you have to pay
a license fee again (Missouri makes up for it with personal property tax,
though).

The blurb below has more details.

Dan Jones

Missouri State Senate

Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed

HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 583 - This act proposes to revise the state emissions
inspection program. The act creates a decentralized emissions inspection
program whereby motor vehicle safety inspection stations and other entities
will conduct emissions inspection if certified by the air conservation
commission. The decentralized system will not go into effect until September 1,
2007. Prior to that date, the commission shall develop a decentralized
emissions inspection program that allows official emissions inspection stations
to conduct on-board diagnostic testing on 1996 and newer vehicles. The act
provides that motor vehicle safety inspection stations and other entities may
apply to the commission to become official emissions inspection stations.
Before issuing a certificate of authorization to a prospective station, the
commission must determine if the applicant will be properly equipped, has
qualified emission inspectors, and meets other requirements set forth by the
commission (Section 643.303).

The act applies the new decentralized emissions program consistently throughout
the city of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County,
and Franklin County. The act updates the county descriptions (Section 643.305).

The act provides that the Director of Revenue may verify a successful safety
and emissions inspection result electronically. This provision is similar to
one contained in HB 241 (2005).

If a motor vehicle is inspected and approved prior to sale or transfer, it is
not subject to another emissions inspection for 90 days after the date of sale
or transfer of the vehicle.

The act specifically exempts motor vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 from the
emission inspection process. Motor vehicles manufactured prior to that date
will be subject to a gas cap pressure test as part of the motor vehicle safety
inspection test. This requirement will be implemented by rules. The act exempts
heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess
of 8,500 pounds. The act also exempts new motor vehicles which have not been
previously titled and registered, for the four-year period following their
model year of manufacture provided the odometer reading for such motor vehicles
are less than 40,000 miles at their first required biennial safety inspection;
otherwise such motor vehicles shall be subject to the emissions inspection.
Motor vehicles driven less than 12,000 miles between biennial safety
inspections are exempt from the emissions inspection (Section 643.315).

The act sets forth the procedures that one must follow in order to become an
official emissions inspection station. The act also provides that the
commission may suspend a stations's certificate of authority to conduct
emissions inspections provided the station is given due process as outlined in
the act (Section 643.320).

The act provides that the commission shall establish a waiver amount which
shall be no greater than $450. The act provides that the waiver amount for
repairs conducted by an owner shall be $400 provided the owner expends at least
$400 on emissions parts. Labor costs do not count toward the waiver amount for
owner repairs. The subsection requires the commission to create a waiver form
and requires owners to submit all original receipts for parts. Under the act,
the commission may establish, by rule, a waiver amount which may be lower for
owners who provide reasonable and reliable proof to the commission that the
owner is financially dependant solely on state and federal disability benefits
and other public assistance programs. Such proof shall be submitted to the
commission thirty calendar days prior to each subsequent emissions inspection
before the lowered waiver amount is allowed (Section 643.335).

The act requires certified repair technicians to obtain and possess valid A6,
A8, and L1 certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service
Excellence (Section 643.335).

The act requires the Department of Natural Resources and the Highway Patrol to
provide oversight for the emissions inspection program, including oversight of
the repair services by recognized repair technicians. Both agencies shall
submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the oversight measures
implemented for the program and the data collected regarding compliance and
incidents of fraud (section 643.337). The act also requires the Department of
Natural Resources to submit annual reports to the General Assembly describing
the overall effectiveness of the new decentralized emissions inspection program
(section 643.353).

Beginning September 1,2007, the inspection fee shall not exceed $24 (Section
643.350).

The act abolishes the Missouri Air Pollution Control Fund established under
Section 307.366 and transfers its funds to the Missouri Air Emission Reduction
Fund (Section 307.367).

The act requires the Department of Natural Resources to promote participation
in the decentralized emissions inspection program among qualified motor vehicle
dealers, service stations, and other individuals. After the implementation of
the decentralized emission inspection program, the department shall monitor
participation in such program. In determining whether there are a sufficient
number of individuals conducting motor vehicle emission inspections under the
decentralized program, the department shall attempt to ensure, through
promotional efforts, that no more than twenty percent of all persons residing
in an affected nonattainment area reside farther than five miles from the
nearest inspection station.

Many of the provisions of the act have an effective date of September 1, 2007.