Click here for updates on this story
PETERBOROUGH, New Hampshire (WMUR) — A Wilton woman is suing the state of New Hampshire over the end of its vehicle inspection program because of concerns about air quality.
Marilyn Jonas said she has lived with asthma almost her entire life, and she believed the end of annual car emissions testing could have long-term effects on air quality in New Hampshire.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law last year to end the required inspections, which tested vehicles’ pollution emissions.
“This is really, really important to New Hampshire,” Jonas said. “We pride ourselves on beautiful vistas and hiking and biking and motorcycling. When the air is polluted, that’s not very enjoyable.”
She claims the state’s decision violates the federal Clean Air Act and that New Hampshire should have another way to regulate those car emissions.
“Why are we allowed to just spew toxins into the air with our cars moving forward?” Jonas said. “We have regulations. They’re there for a very good reason. Without those regulations, we’re all going to suffer.”
In the lawsuit Jonas filed this week, she’s joined by Gordon-Darby, the company that ran New Hampshire’s testing program. Gordon-Darby has separately sued the state over similar issues.
Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill said she shares concerns about poor air quality, especially with the added risk of wildfire smoke.
“The only way that we’re going to continue having access to clean air and to clear skies is going to be if we continue regulating those emissions and not go backwards,” she said.
Lawmakers who supported the law to end inspections have said they don’t improve air quality or safety. They said the inspections more often forced drivers to pay for repairs ordered by the inspecting mechanic.
Jonas is calling on the state to immediately reimplement the inspection program in some capacity.
The bill banning required vehicle inspections was signed into law in June 2025 and was set to take effect on Feb. 1. After Gordon-Darby sued, a judge ordered that the inspections should continue.
In the middle of February, the Attorney General’s Office said the inspections would be suspended until further notice.
Drivers still need to follow vehicle safety laws, so things like brakes, lights and tires need to be in proper working order.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.