ATTN: LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED TO BRING 95 dB law to VA!

[mpg9999]

URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Legislation to Allow Reasonable Exhaust System Modifications

Introduced in Virginia

Legislation (H.B. 2895) that would allow VirginiaÔÇÖs vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test standard has been introduced in the Virginia State Legislature by Delegate William Fralin (<!-- e --><a href="mailtoel_Fralin@house.state.va.us">Del_Fralin@house.state.va.us</a><!-- e -->)



We Urge You to Contact Your Virginia State Legislators Immediately to Support H.B. 2895

┬À H.B. 2895 would remove subjective provisions in the law and force compliance with an objectively measured standard. Under the standard, exhaust noise could not exceed a sound reading of 95-decibels under a fair and predictable test (Society of Automotive Engineers J1169 - May 1998).

┬À H.B. 2895 would benefit consumers, the aftermarket industry and police officers who are charged with enforcing the law.

┬À H.B. 2895 would remedy the enforcement policy currently used by police officers in which nearly all exhaust systems not of a type installed as standard factory equipment are considered illegal - even where noise levels are not excessive or unusual. This policy leaves enthusiasts, exhaust system manufacturers and dealers without recourse.

┬À H.B. 2895 recognizes that aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions.

┬À H.B. 2895 recognizes that aftermarket exhaust systems offer increased durability and performance, which can make a vehicle safer by improving its ability to merge, pass, travel uphill, etc.

┬À H.B. 2895 challenges the erroneous assumption that enthusiasts who equip their vehicles with modified exhaust systems are involved in illegal street racing.

Contact Delegate Fralin (<!-- e --><a href="mailtoel_Fralin@house.state.va.us">Del_Fralin@house.state.va.us</a><!-- e -->)to thank him. Contact your own state legislators in Richmond immediately by phone, fax or e-mail to request their support for this legislation. If you need assistance in determining who your legislators are and their contact information, please contact the Virginia LegislatureÔÇÖs General Information Line at (804) 698-1500. This information can also be obtained by calling the SEMA Washington, D.C. office at 202/783-6007, ext. 38 or via the Internet at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.semasan.com/ContactYourLegislator.aspx">http://www.semasan.com/ContactYourLegislator.aspx</a><!-- m --> Please e-mail a copy of your letter to <!-- e --><a href="mailtotevem@sema.org">stevem@sema.org</a><!-- e --> or fax to 202/783-6024 or mail to:

SEMA Washington Office

1317 F Street, NW, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20004

Attention: Steve McDonald



Please contact your legislators by snail mail. Currently its a House Bill (HB), so make sure you contact your delegate right now, and not your senator. If you don't know who your delagate is, go here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform">http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform</a><!-- m -->

This is going to be a tough bill to pass in VA so everyones support is needed.


<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?id=8214">http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?id=8214</a><!-- m --> go there for a guide on writing your legislator.

[CaptainHenreh]

Hallelujah praise jesus!

*goes to write letter*

[white_2kgt]

Finally all you damn ricers won't be louder than us domestics

--chad

[KPWSerpiente]

Golden.

-T

[Mike]

Pratinum.

-M

:lol:

[Maengelito]

double uranium, bitches

[ScottyB]

apparently some of use have been over-exposed to this

[mpg9999]

Alright, here is the letter I wrote <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://filebox.vt.edu/users/ahoai/Dear%20Delegate.doc">http://filebox.vt.edu/users/ahoai/Dear%20Delegate.doc</a><!-- m -->

Everyone is free to copy it, or edit it and use it. Remember, include your name, address, district, and all that other stuff. Links to find that are posted earlier in this thread.

Its better to write your own letter though, so write one if you can.

-Mike

[ViPER1313]

Alright, here is the letter I wrote...

Thats a really good letter - you should mention that even stock-sounding aftermarket exhausts are technically illegal under current laws (this is the case IIRC - correct me if I'm wrong.)

[mpg9999]

If they make the same sound as stock, then they are legal, but who's to judge that it sounds the same?

[mpg9999]

change the last sentence to "Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, and I look forward to seeing this bill pass." Ill have it fixed tommorow

[ViPER1313]

I wasn't sure on the exact wording of the current law - I hope this new law passes.

On a personal note, I have been riding around Harrisonburg with an exhaust leak that is loud enough to wake the dead (or at least Ryan T at 9:15 in the morning 8) ) I have passed many cops at 3000rpm+, and while parking at Sheetz I pulled in next to a cop sitting in her car. She looked at my car funny for a second then drove away. Seems like the only people having problems are you import guys - drive a busted Taurus and nobody cares.

[JackoliciousLegs]

Seems like the only people having problems are you import guys - drive a busted Taurus and nobody cares.

exactomundo

[Sijray21]

i've been waiting for this day mike

thank you, i'll be writing my letter to both legislators as soon as i can

[mpg9999]

Alright guys, I have an update. I talked to Steve from SEMA today. The bill was JUST introduced. Its not even in the house yet to be voted on. First it goes to committee (I think the transportation committee, Steve is checking on all the details for this). While the bill is in committee, we, the citizens of Virginia, will have a chance to speak. This will happen in Richmond, and as soon as the date is available it will be posted.

We really need people to come down to Richmond for this. Steve said it would be great to see it completely filled with supporters of the bill. More details will follow as more information becomes available.

If it makes it through committee it will go to the house for a vote. This is when your delegate will vote on it, and thatÔÇÖs why its important to contact them. If it passes that, it goes to the senate for a vote. We will once again need your help to contact your senator to support this bill.

One thing that Steve said he wanted done is for people to contact Delegate Fralin and thank him for introducing the bill. It was very difficult to get this introduced and we need to show our support for Delegates willing to help. So if you can, please write him as well thanking him for his support in introducing H.B. 2895

This is just the beginning to make this bill a reality. It will take a lot more hard work for this to pass. Keep your eyes open for more updates from SEMA, and get ready to write again. Thank you for everyone that has helped.

-Mike

[Kaan]

what if you dont want to meet the 95dbs and think its all a crock of shit? should i show up in richmond with my cannon? :roll:

[G.Irish]

Kaan would you rather be subject to "whatever decibels we feel like giving you a ticket for"?

[DierwulfBL]

13 for
8 against

I don't remember local gov't, if they needed 2/3rds then it doesn't go to the senate, did they only need majority?

[mpg9999]

13 for
8 against

I don't remember local gov't, if they needed 2/3rds then it doesn't go to the senate, did they only need majority?

It wont go to the Senate yet. It just got out of commitee. It will now go to the house to be voted on. To get out of commitee they need the majority. Here is how everyone voted:

YEAS--Wardrup, May, Black, Welch, Saxman, Carrico, Cosgrove, Gear, Oder, Rust, McDougle, Hugo, Scott, E.T.--13.

NAYS--Fralin, Stump, Jones, D.C., Moran, Pollard, Ward, Ebbin, BaCote--8

[mpg9999]

@&$&!!!! I stand corrected..... I don't even know what tabling means, but this sucks....

"Unfortunately, the vote that took place in committee was in favor of
tabling the measure for this session. It did not pass through the
committee. Delegate Fralin, the bill's sponsor, has promised to call to
give me details. Apparently, there was significant dissent in committee among some of the members. I haven't given up. Virginia's short legislative session meant that the bill probably didn't get the consideration it deserved. We will live to fight another day!"