PRINTER'S NO. 4731
No. 3000 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY HANNA, CAWLEY, HARHAI, LEDERER, SHANER, J. TAYLOR,
THOMAS, WASHINGTON AND YOUNGBLOOD, NOVEMBER 16, 2004
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, NOVEMBER 16, 2004
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2 Statutes, further providing for exhaust systems, mufflers and
3 noise control.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Section 4523 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
7 Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
8 § 4523. Exhaust systems, mufflers and noise control.
9 (a) Compliance with established sound levels.--Every motor
10 vehicle operated on a highway shall be constructed, equipped,
11 maintained and operated so as not to exceed the sound level for
12 the vehicle as prescribed in regulations promulgated by the
13 department. The test procedures and instrumentation to be
14 utilized shall also be established by regulation.
15 (b) Compliance with exhaust requirements.--In addition to
16 any requirements established under sections 4531 (relating to
17 emission control systems) and 4532 (relating to smoke control
18 for diesel-powered motor vehicles), every motor vehicle shall be
1 constructed, equipped, maintained and operated so as to prevent
2 engine exhaust gases from penetrating and collecting in any part
3 of the vehicle occupied by the driver or passengers.
4 (c) Mufflers and related equipment.--Every motor vehicle
5 shall be equipped with a [muffler] factory-installed muffler, a
6 muffler meeting factory specifications or other effective noise
7 suppressing system in good working order [and], in constant
8 operation and [no] in compliance with the maximum noise levels
9 permitted under subsection (a). No muffler or exhaust system
10 shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device.
11 (d) Unauthorized modification of equipment.--No person shall
12 modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which
13 will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the
14 vehicle above the maximum levels permitted under subsection (a)
15 or violate the provisions of subsection (b) or (c). Headers and
16 side exhausts are permitted provided the vehicle meets all the
17 requirements of this section.
18 (e) Fire equipment and racing vehicles.--This section does
19 not apply to fire equipment or to racing vehicles being operated
20 in an organized racing or competitive event conducted under a
21 permit issued by local authorities.
22 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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