California Bill to Protect Hobbyists From Unfair Exhaust Noise Citations Becomes Law

Governor Gray Davis signed into lawSEMA-sponsored legislation to compel law enforcement to tie exhaust system noise citations to a 95-decibel limit under SAE test procedure J1169.The bill was initiated to address the problem of motorists who drive vehicles legally equipped with modified exhaust systems from being erroneously cited for exceeding noise limits and to remove all conflicting provisions in the law and regulations.The bill still allows officers to cite based on a subjective determination that the exhaust system exceeds the 95-decibel limit.This provision remains a bone of contention and SEMA continues to work with the California Highway Patrol and others to investigate possible solutions.