NE Ohio Times

State Representatives Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) have introduced legislation aimed at easing federal emissions testing standards for drivers in Northeast Ohio.

The proposed E-Check Ease Act would create an alternative emissions certification process. This would allow vehicle owners to file a form with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), attesting that their vehicle meets all Ohio emissions standards without needing to visit an E-Check facility. Currently, only vehicles registered in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties are subject to mandatory emissions testing.

"My constituents have, for decades, faced the burden of a mandate imposed on Ohio by the federal bureaucracy called E-check," said Demetriou. "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."

Under the new legislation, vehicle owners could be denied alternative emissions certification from the Ohio EPA if:

- Their vehicle was involved in a major collision within two years prior to form submission that caused substantial structural damage.

- They received a citation within two years prior to form submission for tampering with their vehicle's exhaust system in violation of Ohio law.

- The information on the form is determined by the Ohio EPA to be falsified.

Additionally, the E-Check Ease Act proposes changes to current regulations regarding which vehicles require emissions testing. Presently, vehicles aged between four and 25 years must undergo emissions testing every other year. The new legislation would amend this requirement to include vehicles aged six to 25 years and hybrid vehicles aged seven to 25 years.

"We want all Ohioans to have clean air, but expanding the E-Check program isn’t the answer," Roemer stated. "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."

The bill now awaits assignment to a House committee.