Hawaii Bill to Restrict Aftermarket Car Audio Equipment Dies as Legislature Adjourns

 

Legislation (H.B. 1178) to ban the installation, ownership or use of any car with aftermarket speakers over 6.5 inches in height or depth, any 5 speaker aftermarket system, any aftermarket speaker over 100 watts and any aftermarket speaker installed external to the passenger compartment or in an open hatch back was deferred from consideration in 2011.  However, the legislature retained the option of reviving the bill in 2012.  With the adjournment of the legislature for this year, the bill is now formally dead and would have to be reintroduced in 2013 in order to be reconsidered.  The measure was discriminatory toward aftermarket products, as it did not seek to limit systems installed by the original vehicle manufacturer or dealer.  If enacted, the bill would have denied hobbyists the opportunity to purchase and install a range of aftermarket alternatives to original equipment stereos. 

Congratulations and thank you to those who participated in opposing this bill!

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