ANNAPOLIS - Washington County's state lawmakers will again try to exempt local residents from the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program.
Keeping a campaign promise, newly sworn-in Del. Christopher B. Shank, R-Washington, asked the eight-member Washington County delegation on Wednesday to renew the VEIP fight, which was last lost in 1996.
"I think we owe it to our constituents to give it another shot," said Shank.
The members agreed to back the legislation, although Del. Sue Hecht was skeptical about such a bill's chances.
"We can go ahead and try but I don't think it's going to be successful," said Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington.
In 1996, the bill was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Delegates 130 to 7.
But it was killed by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
Sen. Alex X. Mooney, R-Frederick/Washington, recently was appointed to that committee.
He said he supports the idea and will work to see that the same thing doesn't happen this time around.