For years, the SEMA Action Network has beaten back legislation which would have essentially banned aftermarket exhaust systems in Hawaii, including one that would have allowed law enforcement officers to seize and impound a vehicle upon making a subjective determination that the vehicle was in violation. Good news! This year a bill (H.B. 2216) based on the SEMA model that would allow vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet an objective noise limit was introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature. Car owners would be issued a certificate of compliance if a test of the exhaust system demonstrated that the exhaust system emitted no more than 95-decibels.
Contact members of the Hawaii House Transportation Committee(List Below) to Request Their Support for H.B. 2216
- H.B. 2216 would force compliance with an objectively measured standard. Under the standard, exhaust noise could not exceed a sound reading of 95-decibels in a fair and predictable test.
- H.B. 2216 would benefit consumers, the aftermarket industry and police officers who are charged with enforcing the law.
- H.B. 2216 would provide motorists who drive vehicles legally equipped with modified exhaust systems the ability to prove that they comply with the law. Overwhelming evidence shows that many noise citations are written in absence of any violation of the code.
- H.B. 2216 would remedy the enforcement policy currently used by police officers in which exhaust noise citations are prosecuted solely based on the officer’s subjective judgment.
- H.B. 2216 recognizes that aftermarket exhaust systems are more durable, are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions and offer increased performance, which can make a vehicle safer by improving its ability to merge, pass, travel uphill, etc.
- H.B. 2216 challenges the erroneous assumption that enthusiasts who equip their vehicles with modified exhaust systems are involved in illegal street racing.
DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the Hawaii House Transportation Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to urge their support for H.B. 2216. Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.
Hawaii House Transportation Committee
Joseph M. Souki (Chair)
Phone: 808-586-9444
Email: repsouki@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Linda Ichiyama(Vice Chair)
Phone: 808-586-6220
Email: repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Henry J.C. Aquino
Phone: 808-586-6520
Email: repaquino@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Ty Cullen
Phone: 808-586-8490
Email: repcullen@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Marilyn B. Lee
Phone: 808-586-9460
Email: replee@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Sylvia Luke
Phone: 808-586-8530
Email: repluke@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Tom Okamura
Phone: 808-586-6340
Email: repokamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Scott K. Saiki
Phone: 808-586-8485
Email: repsaiki@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Roy M. Takumi
Phone: 808-586-6170
Email: reptakumi@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Kyle T. Yamashita
Phone: 808-586-6330
Email: repyamashita@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative George R. Fontaine
Phone: 808-586-8525
Email: repfontaine@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Aaron Ling Johanson
Phone: 808-586-9470
Email: repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov