Bye-bye, vehicle inspection stickers

After several years of debate and failed attempts, the Legislature on Thursday eliminated Mississippi's $5 vehicle inspections and stickers.

The House on a vote of 112-7 agreed with Senate changes to House Bill 982 and sent the bill to Gov. Phil Bryant, who is expected to sign it into law.

It would take effect July 1. This led Rep. Steve Holland to wonder about those whose stickers expire in the meantime.

"What should we advise our constituents who want to save $5 between now and then?" Holland said. "Just ride it and pray (they don't get a ticket)?"

But House Transportation Chairman Robert Johnson III, D-Natchez, warned against changing the bill to make it take effect immediately, which would require sending it back to the Senate, which has killed similar proposals in years past.

"We've been passing this bill for three years," Johnson said. "We've got the opportunity to get it on to the governor."

Proponents of doing away with the inspections and stickers said it's an antiquated requirement given modern automobiles and the fee doesn't cover the costs. They said the Department of Public Safety collects about $2 million to $3 million a year from inspections. But DPS in hearings on the issue last year told lawmakers it loses money on the program. Some service shops that offer inspections have complained that the $3 of the $5 they keep doesn't cover the cost of a thorough vehicle inspection, and fewer shops offer the service.

Opponents have cited safety concerns, with some recommending the state increase fees and make inspections more stringent.

The bill would not eliminate a one-time $5 inspection required for window tinting, to make sure it's not so dark that a law officer can't see who or what is inside a vehicle.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves listed eliminating inspection stickers a top priority this legislative session.

Contact Geoff Pender at (601) 961-7266 or gpender@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @GeoffPender on Twitter.