S.F. 2079 Section 1. Section 321.436, Code 2011, is amended to read 1 as follows: 2 321.436 Mufflers, prevention of noise. 3 Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with 4 a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to 5 prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke, and no 6 person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass , or similar device 7 upon a motor vehicle on a highway. A motor vehicle shall not 8 be operated on a highway with a muffler that emits a noise 9 exceeding ninety-five decibels as measured on the “A” scale 10 in accordance with society of automotive engineers standard 11 J1492 using a stationary sound level test incorporated under 12 that standard. The department of transportation shall adopt 13 rules prescribing appropriate equipment to be used for roadside 14 testing of muffler noise. 15 EXPLANATION 16 This bill establishes a noise limit of 95 decibels as 17 measured on the “A” scale for mufflers on motor vehicles in 18 accordance with society of automotive engineers standard 19 J1492 using a stationary sound level test. The standard 20 incorporates noise measurement procedures established by the 21 international organization for standardization. The department 22 of transportation is required to adopt rules prescribing 23 appropriate equipment to be used for roadside testing of 24 muffler noise. 25 Pursuant to current law, a violation of motor vehicle 26 muffler requirements is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a 27 scheduled fine of $20. 28 -1- LSB 5814SS (2) 84 dea/nh 1/ 1