BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.66
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S.66
IntroducedbySenatorsWhite,Clarkson,Gulick,MajorandWatson
ReferredtoCommitteeonTransportation
Date:February11,2025
Subject:Motorvehicles;noise;exhaust;exhaustsystemmodification;engine
compressionbrakes
Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestoestablish
limitsfornoisefrommotorvehicles;toprohibitthemodificationofvehicle
exhaustsystemsinamannerthatresultsinexcessnoiseorsmokeemissions;
andtoprohibittheuseofenginecompressionbrakedeviceswithoutamuffler.
Anactrelatingtomotorvehiclenoise,exhaustmodifications,andengine
compressionbrakes
ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont:
Sec.1.23V.S.A.§ 1221isamendedtoread:
§1221.CONDITIONOFVEHICLE;EXCESSIVENOISE
(a)Amotorvehicle,operatedonanyhighway,shallbeingoodmechanical
conditionandshallbeproperlyequipped.
(b)(1)Anindividualshallnotoperateonahighwayamotorvehicle
equippedwithamufflerlackinginteriorbaffleplatesorothereffective
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mufflingdevices,aguttedmuffler,amufflercutout,astraightpipeexhaust,or
adeviceormodificationthatamplifiesthenoiseemittedbythevehicle.
(2)Anindividualshallnotoperateonahighwayamotorcycle
manufacturedafterDecember31,1985thatisnotlabeledincompliancewith
40C.F.R.§ 205.158andequippedwithamufflerthatmeetstherequirements
of40C.F.R.§ 205.169.
(3)Theprohibitionofsubdivisions(1)and(2)ofthissubsectionshall
notapplywhenamotorvehicleormotorcycleisoperatedinarace,contest,or
demonstrationofspeedorskillatanauthorizedpublicexhibitionheldin
accordancewithapplicableStateormunicipallawandlandusepermits.
(c)Anindividualshallnotoperateamotorvehiclewithanexhaustsystem
thathasbeenmodifiedwhentheresultofthatmodificationistheemissionof
increasedexhaustfumesorsmoke.
(d)(1)Amotorvehicleequippedormodifiedasdescribedinsubdivision
(b)(1)ofthissectionorthathasbeenmodifiedasdescribedinsubsection(c)
ofthissectionshallnotpassaninspectionrequiredundersection1222ofthis
title.
(2)Amotorcyclethatdoesnotmeettherequirementsofsubdivision
(b)(2)ofthissectionshallnotpassaninspectionrequiredundersection1222
ofthistitle.
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(e)(1)Anindividualwhoviolatessubsection(b)or(c)ofthissectionshall
besubjecttoacivilpenaltyofnotlessthan:
(A)$100.00forafirstviolation;
(B)$200.00forasecondviolation;and
(C)$350.00forathirdorsubsequentviolation.
(2)Penaltiescollectedpursuanttotheprovisionsofthissubsectionshall
bedepositedintheTransportationFundandusedforcostsrelatedtoenforcing
theprovisionsofthissectionandsections1260and1309ofthischapter.
Sec.2.23V.S.A.§ 1260isaddedtoread:
§ 1260.MOTORVEHICLESOUNDLIMITS
(a)Apersonshallnotoperateorcausetobeoperatedonahighwayany
motorvehicleorcombinationofvehicleswithagrossvehicleweightratingof
10,000poundsorless,exceptamotorcycle,withasoundlevelinexcessof:
(1)whenthemotorvehicleorcombinationofvehiclesistravelingat35
milesperhourorless,72decibelsontheAscaleat50feet;and
(2)whenthemotorvehicleorcombinationofvehiclesistravelingat
morethan35milesperhour,80decibelsontheAscaleat50feet.
(b)Apersonshallnotoperateorcausetobeoperatedonahighwayany
motorvehicleorcombinationofvehicleswithagrossvehicleweightratingof
morethan10,000poundswithasoundlevelinexcessof:
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20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.66
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(1)whenthemotorvehicleorcombinationofvehiclesistravelingat35
milesperhourorless,80decibelsontheAscaleat50feet;and
(2)whenthemotorvehicleorcombinationofvehiclesistravelingat
morethan35milesperhour,87decibelsontheAscaleat50feet.
(c)(1)Forpurposesofdeterminingcompliancewiththeprovisionsof
subsections(a)and(b)ofthissection,alawenforcementofficemaymeasurea
vehicle’ssoundlevelwithasoundmeter,noisecamera,orotherappropriate
deviceapprovedbytheSecretaryofTransportationbyrule.
(2)Measurementstakenpursuanttosubdivision(1)ofthissubsection
fromadistanceotherthan50feetshallbeadjustedtodeterminetheequivalent
soundlevelat50feet.
(d)(1)TheSecretaryofTransportationshalladoptrulespursuanttothe
provisionsof3V.S.A.chapter25asnecessarytoimplementtheprovisionsof
thissection.
(2)TheSecretaryofTransportationshallestablishatrainingprogram
forlawenforcementofficersregardingprocedureformeasuringvehiclesound
andtheproperuseofsoundlevelmeasurementdevices.
(e)(1)Apersonwhoviolatessubsection(a)or(b)ofthissectionshallbe
subjecttoacivilpenaltyofnotlessthan:
(A)$100.00forafirstviolation;
(B)$200.00forasecondviolation;and
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.66
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(C)$350.00forathirdorsubsequentviolation.
(2)Penaltiescollectedpursuanttotheprovisionsofthissubsectionshall
bedepositedintheTransportationFundandusedforcostsrelatedtoenforcing
theprovisionsofthissectionandsections1221and1309ofthischapter.
Sec.3.23V.S.A.§ 1309isaddedtoread:
§ 1309.ENGINECOMPRESSIONBRAKEDEVICES;REQUIREMENTS
(a)(1)Anindividualshallnotoperateamotortruckortrucktractor
equippedwithanenginecompressionbrakedeviceunlessthemotortruckor
trucktractorisalsoequippedwithamufflertopreventexcessivenoisefrom
thedevice.
(2)Itshallnotbeaviolationofsubdivision(1)ofthissectiontousean
enginecompressionbrakedeviceinamotortruckortrucktractorthatisnot
equippedwithamufflertopreventexcessivenoisefromthedeviceifthe
deviceisusedtoslowdownorstopthemotortruckortrucktractorinan
emergency.
(b)Amotortruckortrucktractorthatisequippedwithanengine
compressionbrakedevicebutisnotequippedwithaworkingmufflerto
preventexcessivenoisefromthedeviceshallfailinspectionpursuantto
section1222ofthistitle.
(c)(1)Anindividualwhoviolatessubdivision(a)(1)ofthissectionshallbe
subjecttoacivilpenaltyofnotlessthan:
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.66
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(A)$250.00forafirstviolation;
(B)$500.00forasecondviolation;and
(C)$750.00forathirdorsubsequentviolation.
(2)Penaltiescollectedpursuanttotheprovisionsofthissubsectionshall
bedepositedintheTransportationFundandusedforcostsrelatedtoenforcing
theprovisionsofthissectionandsections1221and1260ofthischapter.
(d)Asusedinthissection,“enginecompressionbrakedevice”meansa
devicethatslowsamotortruckortrucktractorbyutilizingengine
compressionandthereleaseofcompressedair.“Enginecompressionbrake
device”includescompressionbrakes,decompressionbrakes,engine
compressionreleasebrakes,“Jake”brakes,and“Jacobs”brakes.
(e)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtopreventamunicipality
fromadoptinganordinancethatprohibitstheoperationofenginecompression
brakedeviceswithinthemunicipalityorinspecificpartsofthemunicipality.
Sec.4.23V.S.A.§ 1223isamendedtoread:
§1223.PROHIBITIONS
(a)Apersonshallnotaffixorcausetobeaffixedtoamotorvehicle,
trailer,orsemi-traileracertificationofinspectionthatwasnotassignedtothe
motorvehicle,trailer,orsemi-trailerbyanofficialinspectionstationtosuch
motorvehicle,trailer,orsemi-trailer.
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20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.66
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(b)NopersonshallApersonshallnotreaffixorcausetobereaffixedan
officialstickeroncethestickerhasbeenremoved;instead,replacement.
Replacementstickersshallbeaffixedasprescribedbytherulesfor
replacementstickeragents.
(c)Apersonshallnotknowinglyoperateamotorvehicle,trailer,orsemi-
trailertowhichacertificationofinspectionisaffixedifthecertificationof
inspectionwasnotassignedbyanofficialstationtothatvehicle,trailer,or
semi-trailer.
(d)Anofficialinspectionstationshallnotinspectanymotorvehicle,
trailer,orsemi-trailerownedoroperatedbytheowneroroperatorofthe
inspectionstationorbyacertifiedinspectionmechanicemployedbythe
inspectionstation.
Sec.5.AGENCYOFTRANSPORTATION;MOTORVEHICLENOISE;
CITIZENREPORTINGSYSTEM
TheAgencyofTransportationshallestablishonitswebsiteamotorvehicle
noisereportingsystemthroughwhichindividualscanreportmotorvehicles
thattheindividualbelievesareemittingnoiseatsoundlevelsinviolationof
theprovisionsof23V.S.A.§§ 1221and1260,andmotortrucksandtruck
tractorsthatareusingaenginecompressionbrakedevicewithoutan
appropriatemufflerinviolationof23V.S.A.§ 1309.TheAgencyshallshare
reportsreceivedthroughthesystemwithappropriatelawenforcementagencies
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toenabletheagenciestoinvestigatewhetherthereportedvehicleisin
compliancewiththeprovisionsof23V.S.A.§§ 1221,1260,and1309.
Sec.6.EFFECTIVEDATE
ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.
Sec.1.23V.S.A.§ 1221isamendedtoread:
§1221.CONDITIONOFVEHICLE;EXCESSIVENOISE
(a)Amotorvehicle,operatedonanyhighway,shallbeingoodmechanical
conditionandshallbeproperlyequipped.
(b)(1)Anindividualshallnotoperateonahighwayamotorvehicle
equippedwithamufflerlackinginteriorbaffleplatesorothereffective
mufflingdevices,aguttedmuffler,amufflercutout,orastraightpipeexhaust.
(2)Anindividualshallnotoperateonahighwayamotorcycle
manufacturedafterDecember31,1985thatisnotlabeledincompliancewith
40C.F.R.§ 205.158andequippedwithamufflerthatmeetstherequirements
of40C.F.R.§ 205.169.
(3)Theprohibitionofsubdivisions(1)and(2)ofthissubsectionshall
notapplywhenamotorvehicleormotorcycleisoperatedinarace,contest,or
demonstrationofspeedorskillatanauthorizedpublicexhibitionheldin
accordancewithapplicableStateormunicipallawandlandusepermits.
(c)(1)Amotorvehicleequippedormodifiedasdescribedinsubdivision
(b)(1)ofthissectionshallnotpassaninspectionrequiredundersection1222
ofthistitle.
(2)Amotorcyclethatdoesnotmeettherequirementsofsubdivision
(b)(2)ofthissectionshallnotpassaninspectionrequiredundersection1222
ofthistitle.
Sec.2.23V.S.A.§ 1309isaddedtoread:
§ 1309.ENGINECOMPRESSIONBRAKEDEVICES;REQUIREMENTS
(a)(1)Anindividualshallnotoperateamotortruckortrucktractor
equippedwithanenginecompressionbrakedeviceunlessthemotortruckor
trucktractorisalsoequippedwithamufflertopreventexcessivenoisefrom
thedevice.
(2)Itshallnotbeaviolationofsubdivision(1)ofthissubsectiontouse
anenginecompressionbrakedeviceinamotortruckortrucktractorthatis
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notequippedwithamufflertopreventexcessivenoisefromthedeviceifthe
deviceisusedtoslowdownorstopthemotortruckortrucktractorinan
emergency.
(b)Amotortruckortrucktractorthatisequippedwithanengine
compressionbrakedevicebutisnotequippedwithaworkingmufflerto
preventexcessivenoisefromthedeviceshallfailinspectionpursuanttosection
1222ofthistitle.
(c)Asusedinthissection,“enginecompressionbrakedevice”meansa
devicethatslowsamotortruckortrucktractorbyutilizingengine
compressionandthereleaseofcompressedair.“Enginecompressionbrake
device”includescompressionbrakes,decompressionbrakes,engine
compressionreleasebrakes,“Jake”brakes,and“Jacobs”brakes.
(d)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtopreventamunicipality
fromadoptinganordinancethatprohibitstheoperationofanengine
compressionbrakedeviceswithinthemunicipalityorinspecificpartsofthe
municipality.
Sec.3.RULEMAKING;PERIODICINSPECTIONMANUAL;EXHAUST
MODIFICATIONS;ENGINECOMPRESSIONBRAKE
MUFFLERS;OUTREACH
(a)TheDepartmentofMotorVehiclesshall,unlessextendedbythe
LegislativeCommitteeonAdministrativeRules,adoptamendmentsto
DepartmentofMotorVehicles,InspectionofMotorVehicles(CVR14-050-
022)toimplementtheprovisionsofSecs.1and2ofthisactthatshalltake
effectonorbeforeJuly1,2026.
(b)TheDepartmentofMotorVehiclesshallimplementapublicoutreach
campaignregardingprohibitedexhaustmodificationspursuantto23V.S.A.
§ 1221andtherequirementforenginecompressionbrakestobeequippedwith
amufflerpursuantto23V.S.A.§ 1309.Thepublicoutreachcampaignshall
includeinformationontheprovisionsoftherulesforInspectionofMotor
Vehicles(CVR14-050-022),relatedtoexhaustmodificationsandengine
compressionbrakemufflers,includingtheamendmentsadoptedunderthe
AdministrativeProcedureActpursuanttosubsection(a)ofthissection.The
DepartmentofMotorVehiclesshallbegintodisseminateinformationpursuant
tothissubsectionnotlaterthantwomonthspriortotheeffectivedateofSecs.
1and2ofthisactandshalldisseminateinformationpursuanttothis
subsectionthroughemail,bulletins,softwareupdates,andtheDepartmentof
MotorVehicles’website.
Sec.4.MOTORVEHICLENOISELEVELS;REPORT BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.66
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(a)OnorbeforeDecember15,2025,theCommissionerofMotorVehicles
shallsubmitawrittenreporttotheSenateandHouseCommitteeson
Transportationwithaproposalforlimitsonmotorvehiclenoiseandproposed
proceduresfortheenforcementofthoselimits.
(b)ThereportshallexaminelawsandproceduresinMaineandotherNew
Englandstatesregarding:
(1)maximumsoundlevelsformotorvehiclesandtrucks;
(2)enforcementofmaximumsoundlevelsformotorvehiclesandtrucks;
(3)proceduresforapersontochallengeadeterminationthatthe
person’svehiclewasoperatinginexcessoftheapplicablemaximumsound
level;and
(4)proceduresforacitizentoreportasuspectedviolationofthe
maximumsoundlevelsformotorvehiclesandtruckstolawenforcement.
(c)Thereportshallincludeproposalsfor:
(1)maximumsoundlevelsabovewhichmotorvehiclesandtruckswould
notbepermittedtooperateonhighwaysinVermont,whichmayvary
dependingonthetypeofvehicle,vehicleweight,andvehiclespeed;
(2)methodsfordeterminingwhetheravehicleisoperatingona
highwayinexcessofthemaximumsoundlevels;
(3)proceduresforenforcingthemaximumsoundlevels;
(4)proceduresforapersontochallengeadeterminationthatthe
person’svehiclewasoperatinginexcessoftheapplicablemaximumsound
level;and
(5)proceduresforallowingcitizenstoreportasuspectedviolationof
themaximumsoundlevelsformotorvehiclesandtruckstolawenforcement.
(d)Thereportshallidentifyanylegislativeactionnecessarytoimplement
theproposalsincludedpursuanttosubsection(c)ofthissection.
Sec.5.EFFECTIVEDATES
(a)ThissectionandSecs.3and4ofthisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,
2025.
(b)Secs.1and2ofthisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2026.