Holden signs car-window measure

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- It is once again legal for Missouri motorists to have dark tints on the rear windows of their motor vehicles.

For the second time in two years, Gov. Bob Holden signed legislation revising restrictions on the tinting of vehicle windows.

The latest law is intended to correct the 2001 version, which caused numerous vehicles to fail state inspections and prompted some motorists to pay hundreds of dollars to remove tinting already on their vehicle windows.

"I regret the difficulties and expense Missourians have suffered because of last year's legislative action," Holden said, "but I am glad that I am able to correct the situation today."

The bill, signed Thursday, was the first to become law during the 2002 legislative session and took effect immediately.

Missourians have long been able to tint the rear and rear-side windows of their vehicles as dark as they want. They also have been able to tint other windows if doctors say it is medically necessary.

Last year, intending to allow more window tinting, lawmakers passed a bill allowing tinting that blocks 65 percent of the light on all vehicle windows except the windshield.

Inspection problems

But the law, which took effect Aug. 28, had unintended consequences. For example, vehicles that already had darker rear windows suddenly were illegal.

Many inspection stations rejected the vehicles -- putting the owners in the awkward position of either driving illegally or paying to have their window tinting removed.

"It created a lot of problems at home and a lot of people spent a lot of money unnecessarily," said Sen. Anita Yeckel, R-St. Louis, one of the sponsors of this year's bill.

This year's version of the law applies the 65 percent light-blocking rule only to the front side windows. The rear and back side windows can once again be as dark as desired.

The new law also removes window tinting from the vehicle inspection process, meaning enforcement of the law is left solely to police.

Some state Highway Patrol officers have equipment that allow an on-scene preliminary reading of a window's tint, said patrol spokesman Capt. Chris Ricks. If the front side windows are believed to be too dark, however, the vehicle would have to be taken to the patrol's regional headquarters to undergo a test that could stand up in court, he said.

Ricks said the patrol had not decided whether to purchase new window-testing equipment for troopers. Legislative researchers had estimated that the law would not trigger new state expenses.

The law keeps improperly shaded windows as a primary offense, meaning police could pull over motorists for that reason alone -- just as they can for speeding or running a stop sign.

Motorists whose vehicles violate the tinting law could be fined up to $300 or potentially face up to 15 days in jail.