“The vehicle inspection and maintenance program is no longer useful due to the economic burdens on citizens and technological advancements reducing the need for testing,” the legislators wrote.
State Reps. Bob Donovan and Sylvia Ortiz Velez are among a group of legislators who are fighting to end emission testing in Wisconsin.
That would surely come as good news to southeastern Wisconsinites, who often have to pay hefty repair fees to get their vehicles registered because they can’t pass the emission testing. “I joined my Republican colleagues and Rep. Ortiz-Velez in a letter to our congressional delegation requesting legislation to repeal vehicle emissions inspections in the 7 southeastern Wisconsin counties,” wrote state Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk (R-Hubertus.)
In addition to Donovan, Ortiz-Velez, and Piwowarczyk, the December 2025 letter was signed by state Sens. Van Wanggaard, Julian Bradley, Chris Kapenga, and Rob Hutton; Reps. Scott Allen, Lindee Brill, Barb Dittrich, Cindi Duchow, Rick Gundrum, Dan Knodl, Dave Maxey, Paul Melotik, Chuck Wichgers, Robert Wittke, and Amanda Nedweski.
The legislators argue that emission testing is burdensome to Wisconsin residents, yet technological advancements have reduced emissions.
“As members of the Wisconsin State Legislature, we write today to urge our federal delegation to introduce and support legislation repealing the vehicle inspection and maintenance program requirements under the Clean Air Act. As stewards of this earth, we recognize the important duty to care for Wisconsin’s natural beauty and environment,” the legislators wrote.
“However, the vehicle inspection and maintenance program is no longer useful due to the economic burdens on citizens and technological advancements reducing the need for testing. If successful, this would allow Wisconsin to end this regulatory burden that has been enacted since 1984 on seven southeastern counties,” they added.
Here is the rest of the letter:
“Wisconsin taxpayers have shouldered substantial costs for this program, which has amounted to approximately $271.4 million by fiscal year 2023-2024. Many Wisconsinites are probably not aware of the one-cent-per-gallon tax on petroleum products that funds this program. This is also not considering the vehicle repair costs incurred by typically lower-income Wisconsinites who own older vehicles that fail inspection.
Due to advancements in technology, vehicles have seen a notable increase in efficiencies and a decrease in emissions. In 2021 and 2022, only 3.1% and 3% of all vehicles tested failed inspection. When broken down by categories, we see the technological advancements more clearly. In 2021, failure rates were 8.2% for 1996-2009 models; 1.6% for 2010-2019 models; and below 1% for 2016-2019 models. This evidence shows modern vehicles have substantially improved emission-reduction technology and are less prone to failures. Additionally, more modern vehicles are continuing to make up a larger share of the current supply as older models are phased out. With less than 1% of modern vehicles failing inspection, statistical improvements are negligible, rendering blanket testing largely unnecessary for maintaining air quality standards.
The Wisconsin Legislature has previously considered measures to limit or terminate the program, reflecting local frustrations with its diminishing returns. Repealing the mandate for inspection programs in nonattainment areas would represent an extraordinary step by Congress, and we recognize the significance of this request. However, we believe that the continuance of this program will not significantly improve air quality and reduce emissions, but instead continue to tax Wisconsinites for a program that has outlived its usefulness. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration of this proposal.”
Editor’s note: Jim Piwowarczyk is the co-founder of Wisconsin Right Now but was not involved in writing this story.
