MORGANTOWN — Annual vehicle inspections could change to every two years under a bill the Senate sent to the House on Friday.
SB 254 changes the annual inspection to biannual and raises the sticker price from $3 to $6 to reflect that.
The total price, including the sticker, would go from $14 to $19. Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, said the extra $2 for the inspection station simply accounts for inflation. It would take effect in 2024.
A 2020 House bill to change inspections to every two years passed through two committees but died on the House floor in a 48-51 vote.
Stuart said Friday that West Virginia is one of only 19 states to require an annual inspection of any kind; five others do it every two years. Some other states require other kinds of inspections, such as emissions. And 10 states require no inspections at all.
Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, opposed the bill and engaged in a back-and-forth with Stuart. He asked if Stuart knew what a “one-eyed Popeye” is. The answer: a big truck with a headlight out that drivers mistake for a motorcycle.
Woelfel said border county residents have to deal with states with no inspections, such as Ohio. “People have their vehicles tied together with bailing wire and twine.”
Stuart answered that West Virginia is one of only four states that require the purely safety check. Moving to biannual is an entirely reasonable alternative to eliminating the inspection entirely. It still provides money for the State Police while providing more convenience for residents.
Woelfel asked if the bill would make people more safe and Stuart answered that the proper question is will it make people less safe.
Woelfel continued, “I don’t think this is a Big Brother government situation where we’re going to free oppressed people from the burden of big government.” Older folks come in for the inspection and don’t know brakes are shot.
“I don’t see the net gain other than to say ‘freedom.’ ” he said. “We’re a leader in this. We want our people to be safe.”
The vote was 23-5, with six senators absent. Joining Woelfel against it were Democrats Mike Caputo, Marion, and Robert Plymale, Wayne, and Republicans Mike Oliverio, Monongalia, and Rupie Phillips, Logan.
Other bills
Another vehicle-related bill, HB 2533, passed unanimously. It was requested by the Division of Motor Vehicles and makes permanent removable windshield placards — commonly referred to as handicap-accessible placards — valid for the applicant’s life. These placards are currently valid for a maximum of five years and the applicant must then reapply.
The bill returns to the House for concurrence on an amendment to correct some technical errors.
SB 292 creates the Health Care Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act and exempts sharing ministries from the state’s insurance laws. A sharing ministry serves as a facilitator among ministry members, who agree to assist other members with medical expenses through contributions.
The bill emphasizes that sharing ministries are not medical insurance. But it provides that a public higher education institution that requires health insurance must recognize a student’s membership in a sharing ministry in lieu of insurance.
Katy Talento, executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, previously explained in committee that more than 3,000 West Virginians already participate in sharing ministries.
It is a nonprofit. Ministry members share a common set of religious or ethical beliefs. A member who seeks care sends the bills to the ministry, she said. The ministry verifies the eligibility of the expense and then notifies all members to ask them to share in the bill.
The ministry facilitates the transfer of funds. Funds go to the member or directly to the provider.
The vote on the Senate floor was 27-1, with Caputo providing the sole nay vote. It now goes to the House.
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