Legislation to end mandated vehicle emissions testing in several counties of the state, including Lycoming, may become a reality.

Last week, the state Senate voted 27-23 in favor of the measure that would save motorists an average of about $40 a month to have their vehicles tested.

State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, was among lawmakers voting in favor of the bill.

“Our constituents are paying around $40 for each vehicle every year under an outdated vehicle emissions testing program,” he said. “New technologies have allowed vehicles to be increasingly more efficient in reducing emissions, which means that it no longer makes sense to impose this costly testing requirement upon vehicle owners in the county.”

Less than 2 percent of all vehicles reportedly fail the emissions testing in the 25 counties where it is required.

Opposition to the bill has come from those who claim opting out of emissions testing could put the state in jeopardy of losing about $420 billion in federal funding for violating the Clean Air Act.

Lycoming County has been included as part of the mandated emissions testing program since 1999, although neighboring counties are exempt.

Congress had set the requirement for an enhanced vehicle emissions inspection program via amendments to the Clean Air Act in 1990. The state subsequently initiated an enhanced auto emissions testing program designed and implemented to improve air quality in nine counties of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions. By 1999, the program was expanded to other parts of the state.

In recent years, some other states have dropped emissions testing requirements citing improved air quality.

The Joint State Government Commission completed a study in January evaluating the impacts of removing certain counties of Pennsylvania from testing requirements. Results from the study revealed requiring Lycoming and six other counties to adhere to vehicle emissions testing would have a minimal effect on the overall ability of the state to maintain federal air quality standards.

The bill now moves to the state House for consideration.