HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) to reform Pennsylvania’s outdated vehicle emissions testing program, reducing the number of counties and vehicles covered by the requirement.
“Too many motorists are forced to spend $40 every year on testing that is increasingly unnecessary and has little environmental benefit. Relief from this mandate is long overdue,” said Langerholc, who championed the reforms in previous legislative sessions.
The federal Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program mandates that motorists in 25 Pennsylvania counties undergo annual emissions testing. However, a Joint State Government Commission study has shown that removing seven of these counties from the program would have minimal impact on maintaining federal air quality standards.
Senate Bill 35 will remove Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer and Westmoreland counties from the I/M program.
“Emissions testing is ineffective, overburdensome and unneeded. It must end. Yet again, I am forced to introduce this legislation because the House cannot be bothered to bring it to a vote,” Langerholc said. “I have introduced this bill or a variation of it every single session I have been in the Pennsylvania Senate. I will not quit, I will not give up until we get this passed.”
Senate Bill 149 exempts the five most recent model year vehicles from emissions testing requirements.
“With the growing number of newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles on the road, vehicle emissions testing has become increasingly ineffective at reducing air pollution,” Langerholc said. “It makes sense to exempt these newer vehicles since they consistently pass the emissions test. I’m grateful for my Senate colleagues passing these commonsense reforms.”
The measures now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.
WATCH: Sen. Langerholc discusses Senate Bill 35 on the floor of the Senate.
WATCH: Sen. Langerholc discusses Senate Bill 149 on the floor of the Senate.
CONTACT: Gwenn Dando