ACTION REQUIRED: Hawaii Introduces Bills to Unfairly Toughen Exhaust Noise Penalties
DON’T DELAY! Please contact lawmakers to request their opposition to these proposals:
Overview: Hawaii has introduced SAN-opposed legislation (H.B. 2251 / S.B. 2350) to reform enforcement of its exhaust noise laws. However, the underlying laws are fundamentally flawed. Similar legislative proposals have failed to be approved in prior years, including last year. 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. S.B. 2350 is scheduled for a hearing by the Senate Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. H.B. 2251 awaits consideration by the House Committee on Transportation and House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.
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.