Vermont S 66: An act relating to electric bicycles

Bill Text

BILLAS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.66
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S.66
Introduced by Senators White, Clarkson, Gulick, Major and Watson
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Date: February 11, 2025
Subject: Motor vehicles; noise; exhaust; exhaust system modification; engine
compression brakes
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish
limits for noise from motor vehicles; to prohibit the modification of vehicle
exhaust systems in a manner that results in excess noise or smoke emissions;
and to prohibit the use of engine compression brake devices without a muffler.
An act relating to motor vehicle noise, exhaust modifications, and engine
compression brakes
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. 23 V.S.A. § 1221 is amended to read:
§ 1221. CONDITION OF VEHICLE; EXCESSIVE NOISE
(a) A motor vehicle, operated on any highway, shall be in good mechanical
condition and shall be properly equipped.
(b)(1) An individual shall not operate on a highway a motor vehicle
equipped with a muffler lacking interior baffle plates or other effective
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BILLAS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.66
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muffling devices, a gutted muffler, a muffler cutout, a straight pipe exhaust, or
a device or modification that amplifies the noise emitted by the vehicle.
(2) An individual shall not operate on a highway a motorcycle
manufactured after December 31, 1985 that is not labeled in compliance with
40 C.F.R. § 205.158 and equipped with a muffler that meets the requirements
of 40 C.F.R. § 205.169.
(3) The prohibition of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall
not apply when a motor vehicle or motorcycle is operated in a race, contest, or
demonstration of speed or skill at an authorized public exhibition held in
accordance with applicable State or municipal law and land use permits.
(c) An individual shall not operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system
that has been modified when the result of that modification is the emission of
increased exhaust fumes or smoke.
(d)(1) A motor vehicle equipped or modified as described in subdivision
(b)(1) of this section or that has been modified as described in subsection (c)
of this section shall not pass an inspection required under section 1222 of this
title.
(2) A motorcycle that does not meet the requirements of subdivision
(b)(2) of this section shall not pass an inspection required under section 1222
of this title.
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(e)(1) An individual who violates subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall
be subject to a civil penalty of not less than:
(A) $100.00 for a first violation;
(B) $200.00 for a second violation; and
(C) $350.00 for a third or subsequent violation.
(2) Penalties collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall
be deposited in the Transportation Fund and used for costs related to enforcing
the provisions of this section and sections 1260 and 1309 of this chapter.
Sec. 2. 23 V.S.A. § 1260 is added to read:
§ 1260. MOTOR VEHICLE SOUND LIMITS
(a) A person shall not operate or cause to be operated on a highway any
motor vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of
10,000 pounds or less, except a motorcycle, with a sound level in excess of:
(1) when the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is traveling at 35
miles per hour or less, 72 decibels on the A scale at 50 feet; and
(2) when the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is traveling at
more than 35 miles per hour, 80 decibels on the A scale at 50 feet.
(b) A person shall not operate or cause to be operated on a highway any
motor vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of
more than 10,000 pounds with a sound level in excess of:
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(1) when the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is traveling at 35
miles per hour or less, 80 decibels on the A scale at 50 feet; and
(2) when the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is traveling at
more than 35 miles per hour, 87 decibels on the A scale at 50 feet.
(c)(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of
subsections (a) and (b) of this section, a law enforcement office may measure a
vehicle’s sound level with a sound meter, noise camera, or other appropriate
device approved by the Secretary of Transportation by rule.
(2) Measurements taken pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection
from a distance other than 50 feet shall be adjusted to determine the equivalent
sound level at 50 feet.
(d)(1) The Secretary of Transportation shall adopt rules pursuant to the
provisions of 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 as necessary to implement the provisions of
this section.
(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a training program
for law enforc