(JUNEAU) - The Alaska House of Representatives approved House Bill 81 by a vote of 31 to six on Friday. Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), HB 81 requires motor vehicle owners and commercial auto dealers to display a valid emissions inspection decal on their vehicles at all times. Failure to do so could result in a $500 fine.

"We can do more to enforce our emissions inspections law," Meyer said. "This bill helps enforcement and makes the penalties for not complying more significant."

All non-commercial motor vehicles in Alaska must register every two years. With a few exceptions, all motor vehicles in Anchorage and Fairbanks must have an emissions inspection every two years, although not necessarily on the same date as registration. HB 81 requires the vehicle's registration date to not extend beyond its emissions inspection date. The bill closes a potential window between when the valid emissions inspection expires, and when the owner must renew the vehicle's registration.

"The goal is to ensure that all vehicles registered with the state are complying with the emissions inspection law at all times," Meyer said. "We want to keep the air above Alaska's roads as clean as possible."

HB 81 moves to the Senate.

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