SF 2256 (LSB 5814SV (2) 84)

SENATE FILE 2256

BY  COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 2079)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the noise limit applicable to motor vehicle mufflers and making a penalty applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.436, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   321.436  Mufflers, prevention of noise.
   1.  Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.
   2.  A motor vehicle shall not be operated on a highway with a muffler that emits a noise exceeding ninety-five decibels as measured by the society of automotive engineers standard J1169, May 1998. The department of transportation shall adopt rules prescribing the appropriate equipment to be used for roadside testing of muffler noise.
   3.  This section shall be implemented uniformly throughout the state and shall preempt any county or municipal ordinance regulating mufflers on motor vehicles.
EXPLANATION
   This bill establishes a noise limit for motor vehicle mufflers of 95 decibels as measured by society of automotive engineers standard J1169, May 1998. The standard incorporates noise measurement procedures established by the international organization for standardization. The department of transportation is required to adopt rules prescribing appropriate equipment to be used for roadside testing of motor vehicle muffler noise.
   Pursuant to current law, a violation of motor vehicle muffler requirements is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $20.