<VV> Legislative update

scott morehead smorehead@lycos.com
Wed, 26 Jan 2005 21:11:44 -0500


Massachusetts Bill to Ban the Sale/Installation of Aftermarket Exhaust
Systems Resurfaces--Again!

A bill to ban the sale or installation of "an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust" will be reintroduced in the Massachusetts State Legislature. In what is seen as a clear attempt to divide the auto hobby, the bill's sponsor included a provision that would exclude limited-use "antique motor cars."

House Draft 672, which will be assigned another number once officially introduced, effectively discriminates against automotive enthusiasts by restricting exhaust systems to those installed by the motor-vehicle manufacturers. The bill ignores the fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to increase performance, improve vehicle efficiently without increasing emissions and are constructed with materials that improve the durability of these exhaust systems.

Massachusetts interests should contact your state legislators in opposition to H.D. 672

Actions Against the Hobby Increase in California


The California Inspection and Maintenance Review Committee (IMRC), an advisory board created by the California legislature to evaluate the effectiveness of California's Smog Check. 

The following are some of the proposals being considered by the IMRC:

1.    Annual versus biennial inspections of vehicles more than 15 years old: This proposal also opens the door for the testing of pre-1976 vehicles, which has been openly discussed by IMRC.

2.    Smoke inspections: the proposed action would add a subjective evaluation of a smoking vehicle made by law enforcement officials and would further discriminate against older cars.

3.    Stricter re-test standards for vehicles that fail emissions tests: By establishing stricter emissions standards or "cut points," the regulators hope to achieve their goal of eliminating older vehicles by making it more expensive to keep them running. If more vehicles fail their emissions tests and it costs more to repair them to achieve lower test results, many people will be unable to pay for the repairs and will choose to scrap their older vehicles. While the SAN supports repairing older vehicles, we do not support lowering cut points to an unreasonable level. The SAN believes--and current law requires--that cut points must be reasonable and allow for cost-effective repairs for the majority of vehicles, including those that are older.




Newly Introduced Legislation

Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently
introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state
legislatures:



New Hampshire HB 40: Requires all recreational vehicles to be
inspected annually by July 1.

Massachusetts HD 3630: Relates to the inspection of custom vehicles.

Pennsylvania HB 2944: Provides for coordination of emissions and safety
inspections. Requires a vehicle emissions inspection prior to performance
of a vehicle safety inspection or executing repairs required to pass a
safety inspection Equipment

New Hampshire LSR 60: Prohibits the use or installation of radar
scrambler devices in motor vehicles

New Jersey SB 1924: Requires dealer to disclose missing or defective
emissions control equipment in used motor vehicle under certain
circumstances.

Pennsylvania SB 1256: Sets fine at $25 for vehicles exceeding 11,000
lbs that are not equipped with rear wheel shields

Texas HB 160: Relating to motor vehicle recording devices. Defines
recording device, requires disclosure before sale and requires a
subpoena for a law enforcement officer to retrieve recorded data.

Lighting

Kentucky BR 295: Requires that headlights must be in use when
atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers

New Hampshire LSR 51: Requires daylight headlight use during
inclement weather

Miscellaneous


Utah HB 16: An Act to repeal the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission.
Muffler/Exhaust Noise

Massachusetts HD 652: Prohibits the sale or installation of "an exhaust
system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or
increase the noise emitted by the exhaust."
Registration

New Hampshire LSR 44: Relates to noncommercial antique motor
vehicle restoration activities

Tires

Montana SB 65: Removes tires from the definition of "component part"
of a junk vehicle

Vehicle Height

Utah HB 24: Amends current vehicle code to apply aftermarket
limitations to adjustments of frame height, wheelbase and bumper height
to all vehicles, not just vehicles 15000 lbs or less.

Vehicle Racing

Florida HB 71: Relating to motor vehicle speed competitions; provides
that vehicles used in violation of current subsection may be seized via
the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.

Windows/Tinting

Georgia HB 20: Relates to motor vehicle window tint restrictions.
Regulates the application or affixing of light transmission reducing
materials or glazing.

New Jersey AB 3449: Waives light transmittance standards for
supplemental windshield sun screen materials to meet needs of certain
persons with acute photosensitivity.

Utah HB 24: Amends current vehicle code to allow rear side windows to
have nontransparent material on them


Scott Morehead

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