Louisiana residents could save a few extra dollars per year if one lawmaker's bill becomes law. That's because a northwestern Louisiana legislator wants to eliminate vehicle inspections.
That legislator says his brake tag bill is gaining support.
"It's just a fee that we don't need to pay," Rep. Larry Bagley (R-Stonewall) said to WWL's Tommy Tucker. "If a car runs well and is mechanically safe, then I'm not sure why we need to do that."
Bagley says he contacted Governor Jeff Landry's office and asked officials there to let him know if they had any problems with his bill. According to Bagley, Landry's office hasn't been in touch with him. He says he interprets that silence as support.
Bagley added that state police isn't actively opposing his bill as they did in 2019, even though they stand to lose millions of dollars in revenue.
"If years prior, it was around $10 million dollars that state police got. OMV, the Office of Motor Vehicles, got about $3 million," Bagley said. "Their concern is they are going to lose some money and would like to be sure that that's kept in the budget. I told them I would work with them. I'm on appropriations, so we'll take care of all of that."
In fact, Bagley says his bill has received little opposition.
"The only pushback I've had is some of the owners of the inspection stations," Bagley said, noting that inspection station owners make $4.75 off each $10 inspection sticker they sell.
Bagley's bill, unless it's amended, would allow municipalities with their own inspection laws, such as Kenner and New Orleans, to continue to mandate vehicle inspections for their residents.
"Right now, it'll only be the state tags," Bagley said. "I know the municipalities like them because it's a fund generator, and that money can be hard to replace because it can be millions of dollars for the coffers of the city."
The bill is pending a hearing in the House Transportation Committee.
