MWACA Legislative Representative Ron Reiling writes that the program was spared for another year, but a new proposal to raise sales tax and tax labor is on the table
Editor’s note: Last week the Midwest Auto Care Alliance reached out with ‘urgent legislative update’: Missouri’s vehicle safety inspection requirement was on the brink of being eliminated and the industry was urged to immediately contact their legislators.
Dear Missouri Automotive Service Professionals,
It was close, but thanks in part to your efforts, the Missouri Safety Inspection Program survived the 2026 legislative session. The issue remained active until about halfway through the final day of the session on May 15, 2026.
Earlier in the session, the House passed HB 1838, which would have repealed the Safety Inspection Program along with approximately 13 other provisions. After passing the House, HB 1838 was sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.
The Senate amended the bill to include the repeal of emissions testing in St. Charles County. At that point, the bill stalled and did not move forward before the end of the session.
However, the issue resurfaced through another bill. The Senate passed SB 1408, which would have increased the speed limit on rural highways from 70 mph to 75 mph, and sent it to the House. The House then added 14 amendments to the bill, essentially including the language from HB 1838, and sent it back to the Senate.
The Senate did not accept the House amendments and requested that the House either recede from its amendments or grant a conference committee. A conference committee was granted. This committee, made up of five members from each chamber, works to negotiate differences and attempt to reach an agreement. Once an agreement is reached, both the House and Senate must approve the conference committee report before the bill can pass.
Early last week, the conference committee report was sent forward, but it still included language repealing the Safety Inspection Program.
Throughout the final week, the Senate appeared frustrated by the House adding a large number of amendments to bills that likely would have passed on their own. The Senate continued debating several bills, and multiple filibusters consumed significant time. It became clear that the Senate was pushing back against heavily amended bills and seemed to prefer a more single-subject approach.
On Friday, the final day of the session, both chambers were working through bills in the final hours. The Senate requested that the House recede from its amendments to SB 1408 and pass the original version of the bill. The House agreed. As a result, the repeal language was removed, and the Missouri Safety Inspection Program was spared for another year.
Thank you to everyone who stayed engaged, from our Legislative Day in Jefferson City to your follow-up efforts throughout the session. Your participation truly does make a difference.
I have also attached the list of bills we followed throughout the session.
Sales Tax Proposal
Missouri lawmakers have approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would phase out the state income tax and allow lawmakers to expand sales and use taxes to help replace lost revenue.
The proposal could extend sales taxes to some services that are not currently taxed, including labor-related services. It is currently expected to appear on either the August primary ballot or the November general election ballot, depending on the governor’s decision by May 22.
Ron Reiling
MWACA Legislative Representative
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