SCS/SBs 415 & 56 - This act makes various changes to the current laws affecting registration, inspection, emission testing and insuring of motor vehicles.

ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION OF REGISTRATION FORMS - This act allows the Director of Revenue to accept and renew motor vehicle registrations by electronic means. The documents required for registration include: personal property tax receipt; insurance card; safety; and/or emissions inspection may be verified by electronic means.

PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES - Under this act, no license registration shall be issued unless the personal property tax receipt shows that the previous year's taxes and delinquent taxes have been paid. The collector is not required to issue a receipt for the previous year until the person pays all personal property taxes.

BIENNIAL REGISTRATION - Under this act, motor vehicle owners are given the option of registering their vehicles on an annual or biennial basis. The fee for a biennial registration shall include a prorata amount for the additional year. A biennial registration, like the current annual registration of a motor vehicle, requires proof of insurance, proof that personal property taxes have been paid, and proof of an emission inspection if required.

BIENNIAL INSPECTIONS - Motor vehicles shall submit to a biennial (rather than annual) inspection. Motor vehicles manufactured in even-numbered years shall be inspected in even-numbered calendar years and vehicles manufactured in odd-numbered years shall be inspected in odd-numbered years.

MOTOR VEHICLE RESPONSIBILITY - This act requires an officer to issue a citation to a motor vehicle operator who fails to exhibit an insurance identification card. The separate violation for failing to carry an insurance identification card is eliminated. Any person who fails to maintain financial responsibility is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. The court may suspend the operator's license, assess four points under Section 302.302, RSMo, or place the operator under court ordered supervision. Motor vehicle policies must be at least three months in length with a minimum payment of one month. A person submitting false proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A person altering an insurance card to make it appear valid is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. This act also allows the Department of Revenue to create a database to verify compliance with the motor vehicle responsibility laws. This section is similar to truly agreed to CCS/HC/SS/SCS/SB 19 (1999).

INSPECTION LAWS - The highway patrol may revoke an inspection station's permit up to 3 years (up from 1 year). Inspection stations are responsible for the conduct of their employees that violates the inspection laws. This act allows a vehicle owner to rectify defects found from an inspection within 20 days (up from 15 days). Inspection fees are raised from $7 to $12. Inspection fees for motorcycles and trailers are raised from $6 to $10. The owner shall not be charged an additional inspection fee after correcting the defects if completed within 20 days (up from 10 days). The Highway Patrol may assign qualified persons to investigate inspection safety and emissions testing. The person may issue complaints and summons for violations. Such person must complete a training course provided by the highway patrol.

EMISSIONS TESTING - The emissions inspection program (Bar 90) does not apply to new vehicles, historic motor vehicles, and those engaged in interstate commerce. The Bar 90 program shall not apply to Franklin County residents who have chosen the biennial registration option. The Air Conservation Commission may establish an IM-240 emissions inspection program for Franklin County residents who have chosen the biennial registration option. Franklin County motor vehicles shall be subject to IM- 240 testing if the owner has opted for biennial registration.

This act has penalty provisions and has a contingent effective date for certain sections.
STEPHEN WITTE