Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the use of devices that make cars louder, such as mufflers.

Highlights:

• Defines a “muffler” as a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates, or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and effective in reducing noise (Sec. 1.b).

• Requires every motor vehicle, operated or driven upon the highways of the state, to at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler and exhaust system in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise and no such muffler or exhaust system to be equipped with a cut-out, bypass, or similar device (Sec. 1.a).

• Prohibits anyone in the state from selling, offering for sale, or installing any of the following for the muffler or exhaust system of a motor vehicle a cut-out, bypass, or a similar device which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor or exhaust system of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler or exhaust system originally installed on the vehicle (Sec. 1.b).

• Prohibits anyone in the state from selling, offering for sale, or installing a motorcycle exhaust device without internal baffles, known as "straight pipes" (Sec. 31-a).

• Prohibits anyone in the state from selling, offering for sale, or installing a motorcycle exhaust device that is intentionally designed to allow for the internal baffling to be fully or partially removed or interchangeable or that has been modified in a manner that will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of a motorcycle above that emitted by the exhaust system originally installed on such motorcycle (Sec. 31-b).

• Establishes the violation of any of the provisions of this law with respect to adequate brakes except those relating to emergency or hand brakes will constitute a misdemeanor and the violation of any of the other provisions of this law, including those relating to emergency or hand brakes, will be punishable by a fine not exceeding $150 or by imprisonment for not exceeding 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment (Sec. 32.a).

• Establishes a violation of provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, a violation of paragraph (b) of subdivision 31, subdivision 31-a or subdivision 31-b of this law may be punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or by imprisonment for not exceeding 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment (Sec. 1.b).

• Establishes a violation of subdivision 11 or 12 of this section may be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment for not exceeding 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment (Sec. 2).

• Requires a license to operate an official inspection station or a certificate to inspect vehicles to be suspended or revoked or renewal thereof to be refused by the commissioner or any person duly deputized, upon a 3rd or subsequent willful violation, all within a period of 18 months, of any rule or regulation of the commissioner requiring an inspection station to inspect the muffler or exhaust system of a motorcycle (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text