The Senate Appropriations Committee on an unspecified bill voted to allow a larger cap to be available for a vehicle emission-testing fee while making clear the fee would not be automatically increased.

Committee discussion emphasized that the change affects the availability of the cap rather than triggering an automatic fee hike; a speaker noted the cap “hasn't been increased since 02/2003 when it was increased for a whopping 75¢” and that the fee originally was established in 1995. A staff member told the committee a revised fiscal note shows the health department “does not need any FTE” to implement the fee change and described the charge as “truly a fee for service” that an individual would pay a vendor for emission testing.

During the meeting the motion to move the bill was called and, after a roll call, the committee chair said, “That bill passes unanimously.” The transcript does not supply a bill number in the excerpt provided.

The article reports discussion recorded in the committee and the formal unanimous adoption. The transcript indicates the committee clarified that the change expands the cap’s availability, that the department does not require additional staff, and that the charge is intended as a fee-for-service paid to vendors.