UPDATE—Hawaii Advances Unfair Exhaust Noise Bills

• PLEASE OPPOSE S.B. 586 / S.B. 587 to reform and toughen enforcement of its already unfair exhaust noise laws.
   

• PLEASE OPPOSE S.B. 588 to develop a pilot program for testing noise cameras to ticket loud cars and trucks.
   

Overview: Hawaii has introduced SAN-opposed legislation (S.B. 586 / S.B. 587) to reform enforcement of its exhaust noise laws. Additional legislation (S.B. 588) was also introduced to develop a pilot program for testing noise cameras to ticket loud cars and trucks. However, the underlying laws are fundamentally flawed. Currently, Hawaii prohibits mufflers that “noticeably increase the noise” and mandates that mufflers must be identical to their factory setting. The current law is unenforceable as it is vague, subjective, and unfair. All these bills passed the Senate and now await consideration in their respective House Committees—these lawmakers must hear from you before a vote is held! S.B. 588 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Transportation on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. 

Hawaii needs to implement a fair testing procedure and decibel limit for vehicle owners accused of unreasonable exhaust noise violations. Other states have adopted a decibel limit of 95 decibels when tested under and SAE International procedure, which provides a fair and reasonable working system. This SAN-supported SAE test is conducted in a controlled environment using objective methodology. This solution offers Hawaii a clear standard with a proven record of success.