COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Representatives Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) introduced legislation on Wednesday aimed at cutting back on vehicle emissions testing in Northeast Ohio.
The legislation, named the "E-Check Ease Act," would create an "alternative emission certification" allowing drivers to file a form with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) saying that their vehicle complies with all Ohio emissions standards without having to make the trip to an E-Check facility.
“My constituents have, for decades, faced the burden of a mandate imposed on Ohio by the federal bureaucracy called E-check,” Demetriou said in a joint statement. “Since Ohio cannot get rid of E-check, we will do the next best thing and make it as easy as possible for those in Northeast Ohio to comply.”
According to the lawmakers, only owners with vehicles registered in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit are required to test their vehicle’s emissions.
Per the legislation, vehicle owners would only be denied an "alternative emission certification" from the Ohio EPA if:
- Their vehicle was involved in a major collision within two years prior to the submission of a form that caused substantial structural damage to the vehicle;
- They have received a citation within two years prior to the submission of a form for tampering with their vehicles exhaust system in violation of Ohio law;
- If the information on the form has been determined by the Ohio EPA to be falsified.
“We want all Ohioans to have clean air, but expanding the E-Check program isn’t the answer,” Roemer added. “The improvement in air quality in Northeast Ohio is thanks to advances in fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and electric vehicles, not because of this burdensome EPA program, but because of advances from the private sector.”
Under current rules, all vehicles between four and 25-years-old have to undergo an E-Check every other year. Per the new legislation, that would change to vehicles that are six to 25-years-old for standard vehicles and seven to 25-years-old for hybrid vehicles.
The "E-Check Ease Act" will await assignment to a House committee.
