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2000 SESSION

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(SB578)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

    Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 578.

    Senate Bill 578 would substantially increase the fee Virginia motorists have to pay for vehicle safety inspections. The cost for a safety inspection would increase $15 for every truck, $5 for every car, and $2 for every motorcycle in Virginia. These fee increases would effect a tax increase on the people of Virginia of over $30 million a year.

    Virginia State Police statistics show that the number of vehicle safety inspections performed in the Commonwealth of Virginia has gone from over 5.5 million in 1990 to over 6.5 million in 1999. The number of inspection stations in the Commonwealth, all of which are privately operated, also has increased over the past decade. There is no requirement to engage in the business of motor vehicle inspections. This expansion of motor vehicle inspection stations has been driven by the traditional profit motive. These businesses would not offer motor vehicle inspections as a service if it did not lead to profits. Indeed, many vehicle repair shops offer discount coupons for this service on passenger cars and light trucks in order to secure customers for repair work.

    Guaranteeing that vehicles on our streets and highways are functioning safely in conformance with federal and state regulations is an integral part of the Commonwealth’s public safety responsibility. However, I am not convinced that the current fee structure inhibits our ability to carry out this responsibility.

    I simply cannot justify requiring Virginians to pay increased inspection fees.

    Accordingly, I am returning this bill without my signature.