PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2025
Contact: Jacob Posik
Director of Legislative Affairs
Office: 207.321.2550

Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Oppose 
Vehicle Inspection Fee Increase and New Electronic Tracking System

Former Democratic Sen. Ben Chipman, Democratic Rep. Amy Roeder, and Republican Rep. John Eder join Maine Policy in opposing inspection fee increases and a new electronic tracking system.  

AUGUSTA, Maine – A bipartisan group of current and former lawmakers join Maine Policy Institute today in calling on lawmakers to oppose increasing the annual fee for motor vehicle inspections or adopting an electronic inspection program.

“Doubling the cost of an inspection sticker to pay for a new electronic tracking system is expensive, unnecessary and would have a devastating impact on low-income and working class residents all across our state,” said former Sen. Ben Chipman (D-Portland), who previously chaired the Legislature’s Transportation Committee.

“Vehicle inspections are a tax on low-income Mainers, plain and simple. Mainers are smart, resourceful and know how to take care of their own vehicles. I grew up in Minnesota where we also received several feet of snowfall annually, used the same chemicals to treat our roads, and did not have vehicle inspections. Data show inspections don’t improve roadway safety because accidents are rarely caused by defective vehicles–that’s why most states don’t have these requirements. Vehicle inspections are an unnecessary tax on Maine people and it’s time for them to go,” said Rep. Amy Roeder (D-Bangor).

“The last thing Mainers can afford right now is another fee increase. It makes no sense to increase inspection fees when my colleagues and I should be looking for ways to make this program less burdensome for all Mainers. Moving to an electronic system will also force new costs on small repair shops and stop Mainers from shopping around for inspection services. I encourage all Mainers to contact their elected officials and urge them to vote against LD 566 and 667. If Maine increases the fee or moves to an electronic system, those changes will be permanent and we can’t let that happen,” said Rep. John Eder (R-Waterboro).

“No evidence exists to suggest that vehicle inspections make our roads safer. Annual inspections are a burden that force hardworking Mainers to waste productive time and money every year getting their cars checked for unnecessary repairs. It’s even more unconscionable that lawmakers would consider raising inspection fees or adopting an intrusive electronic inspection system, which opens the door for surveillance by the State Police. Vehicle inspections have long outlived their usefulness and it’s time for lawmakers to reform the program this session,” said Maine Policy Institute CEO Matthew Gagnon.

The Legislature’s Committee on Transportation will hold public hearings today on a pair of bills that propose to increase fees and move to an electronic system that would allow the State Police to surveil Maine motorists and inspection stations. An electronic system would also prohibit Mainers from shopping around for inspection and repair services.

The bipartisan coalition opposes the following proposals scheduled for public hearing today, which would increase motor vehicle inspection fees and adopt an electronic program that allows the State Police to track Maine motorists and inspection stations.

  • LD 566, “An Act to Modernize the Motor Vehicle Inspection Program and Amend the Law Governing Inspection Fees” sponsored by Sen. Brad Farrin of Somerset
  • LD 667, “An Act to Modernize the State Motor Vehicle Inspection Program and the Law Governing Inspection Fees” sponsored by Rep. Wayne Parry of Arundel

The public hearings on LDs 566 and 667 will be held today at 1 p.m. at the State House, Room 126. Members of the coalition will be there to speak in opposition to both of these bills and will be available to speak with members of the media.

# # #

 Maine Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to expand individual liberty and economic freedom in Maine. Learn more about our work at www.mainepolicy.org.