JACKSON, Miss. – A bill to do away with Mississippi’s annual $5 vehicle inspection sticker is headed to the Governor’s desk.
The House voted 112-7 to accept a Senate change that would still require a one-time $5 inspection for window tinting, which must not be too dark for law enforcement to see inside.
“We will be saving the state $720,000 a year. That’s how much it cost to operate the program,” explained House Transportation Committee Chairman Robert Johnson, III (D-Natchez) during Thursday’s floor debate.
The Governor is expected to sign the bill and it would take effect July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. “What should we advise our constituents who want to save $5 between now and then? Just ride it out and pray,” asked Rep. Steve Holland (D-Tupelo) during a floor exchange with Johnson. “Just ride it out and pray,” Johnson echoed in agreement.
He said changing the language to make the law effective immediately would require Senators to take a second look at the legislation. “We just trying to get it out of here before somebody down the hall (in Senate Chambers) change their minds.” Over the past several years, efforts eliminate the sticker have failed.
