Contact:	Clarence Mills (202) 543-1440 c.mills@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-3 January 12, 2009

Federal Vehicle Safety Inspection Bill Introduced

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 12, 2009 - The Michael Jon Newkirk Transportation Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, H.R. 259, has been introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, in the first week of the 111th Congress. The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

H.R. 259 proposes to establish state safety inspection programs and national standards for state safety inspections of motor vehicles across the United States.

Due to many states having no vehicle safety inspection program as well as inconsistent state standards for safety inspection programs in states that do have inspections, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) supports federal legislation mandating periodic motor vehicle safety inspection.

Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative, said, "We are so pleased to see the new Congress taking an interest in periodic motor vehicle safety inspections. Less than half the states have vehicle safety inspection programs. These programs, in some states, are faced with elimination each year during the legislative cycle. We have had little support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in protecting or expanding these programs. This lack of support, at one point, was highlighted by a U.S. General Accounting Office Report. It will take congressional action to ensure that the safest possible vehicles are on the road today."

To view the text of H.R. 259, visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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