Chairman: The committee considered House Bill 232, by Representative Bagley, which would eliminate the state vehicle inspection sticker and move the current $10 inspection fee to vehicle registration. After testimony from inspection‑station owners, law‑enforcement representatives and opponents, a motion to report the bill favorably failed on a roll call.

What the bill proposed: Representative Bagley said HB 232 would remove the visible inspection sticker requirement and instead collect the inspection‑related fee at the point of vehicle registration. She described the sticker as an inconvenience and said online payment and registration processing would preserve funding for state police and the Office of Motor Vehicles.

Testimony and concerns: Industry witnesses and inspection‑station owners told the committee inspections catch mechanical defects — worn tires, thin brake pads, broken lights and illegal tint — that can contribute to crashes. Neil Underwood of the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Inspection Station Association cited studies and post‑repeal crash trends from other states, and inspection‑station owners described the work as a dedicated, certified service. Louisiana State Police Captain Lance Kennedy testified that the visible inspection sticker assists officers by indicating expired inspections — and that stops for expired or missing stickers can lead officers to check registration and insurance and to other enforcement if necessary.

Roll‑call and committee action: Representative Schammerhorn moved to report HB 232 favorably. Representative Wiley objected and asked for a roll call. The committee recorded a roll‑call vote: Sharon Boyack (yea); Representative Boyer (no); Representative Breaux (no); Representative Chasson (no); Representative Dickerson (yea); Representative Fontenot (yea); Representative Moore (no); Representative Phelps (no); Representative Shamarhorn (yea); Representative Spell (no); Representative Tarver (yea); Representative Wiley (no). That produced five yeas and six nays; the motion did not pass. Representative Bagley voluntarily deferred a related bill (HB 221).

Why it matters: The vote preserves an enforcement tool and an inspection‑station industry that testified it provides safety checks and local jobs. Supporters of repeal argued modern vehicle diagnostics and the burdens of annual or biennial stops make the sticker obsolete; opponents cited safety studies and local employment impacts.

Next steps: Representative Bagley voluntarily deferred the companion HB 221 for further work on the measure.