NH-HB1442 / pipes

[karen]

HB1442: relative to motorcycle noise emission regulation.

Status: 1/4/2012 TRANSPORTATION
HEARING DATE: 02-07-2012

Bill text:
HB 1442

AN ACT relative to motorcycle noise emission regulation.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Paragraph; Motorcycle Noise Levels; Applicability. Amend RSA 266:59-a by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:

IV. The provisions of this section shall apply only to motorcycles manufactured before January 1, 2013.

2 New Section; Motorcycle Sound Emissions Regulation. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 59-a the following new section:

266:59-aa Motorcycle Sound Emissions Regulation.

I. No person shall operate or use a highway motorcycle registered in the state of New Hampshire and manufactured on or after January 1, 2013 unless the motorcycle is equipped with a factory installed exhaust system, or equivalent, that bears the required applicable federal Environmental Protection Agency exhaust system labels pursuant to 40 C.F.R. part 205, subparts D and E. The exhaust system shall not produce a sound level in excess of 82 decibels on the A scale when measured in accordance with federal testing procedures.

II. No person shall tamper with, remove, or render inoperative any part or component of the exhaust system or its component parts which cause the motorcycle to exceed 80 decibels on the A scale.

III. No person shall pass for the purposes of the inspection required by RSA 266:1 any motorcycle manufactured on or after the January 1, 2013, which does not comply with paragraph I and which exceeds a measured noise level of 82 decibels on the A scale using the federal testing procedure.

IV. Any person who violates the provisions of paragraph I or II shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $350 for a first offense and $500 for any subsequent offence.

V. This section applies to a person operating a motorcycle that is newly manufactured on or after January 1, 2013, or a motorcycle with aftermarket exhaust system equipment that is newly manufactured on or after January 1, 2013. This section shall not apply to competition motorcycles.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2013.

[McBolt]

This bill is very similar to Californias SB435. This type of enforcement is backed by The EPA. They made several raids a year or so ago. They raided BUB's in Grass Valley CA. I have a letter from Ken Feith, head of the EPA noise and radiation department, stating this enforcement is due to the upcomping compliance of the UN treaty signed in 1998...Global Harmonization of Motorized Vehicles based on European Standards. Having to comply with Federal noise testing is a good thing..hard to enforce. Watch out for AMA/MRF pushing more regulation for your good...SAE J2825. They are working with DPS Technical in training of law enforcement; both in the procedure and how to take you to court. Bikers sued the City of Boston over a similar law...no tickets have been issued. Lots o info out there on this battle....

[karen]

HB1442: relative to motorcycle noise emission regulation.

Status:
2/15/2012: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0683h for Feb 22 (Vote 14-1; RC)
2/15/2012: Proposed Committee Amendment #2012-0683h

Amendment:
NH GENERAL COURT

[karen]

New Hampshire- pipes update

HB1442: relative to motorcycle noise emission regulation.

Status: April 18, 2012: S-PASSED / ADOPTED

Bill text:
HB 1442