new mass car law threat to knight rider replicas
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:25 pm
"Exhaust systems have always been on the top of any modification list for car enthusiasts. Most cars come from the factory with tightly restricted systems which reduce, amongst other things, power and gas mileage. Exhaust modification is the genesis of many a project car.
However, it may soon become illegal to sell or install “an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust” in the state of Massachusetts. In short, if you don’t have an OEM exhaust on your car, you would be forced to remove it as well as pay a fine. The law, which is currently stalled in committee, is House Bill 3574. This would effectively strangle the aftermarket in the Commonwealth, and have unforeseen percussions down the road. A radical citizens group out of Jamaica Plains has been the driving force behind the bill, and it has now found enough support to make it to committee.
However, a group of concerned citizens is being formed to combat the house bill. Led by Jon Weston, and backed by the SEMA Action Network, or SAN, the gathered gear heads spent last evening discussing a bill to reach a compromise with those who are seeking to ban all exhausts. Weston also enlightened everyone about the gravity of the situation.
According to Weston, if this bill were passed into law, “You could no longer buy an exhaust system for any car older than six years.” Why? Due to government regulation, dealerships only need maintain a stock of OEM parts for six years after the car is made. After that, they tend to only to stock aftermarket parts on certain items, including exhausts. Therefore, you would not be able to purchase an exhaust system currently is your car is older than 2001. Now you have a loud exhaust and the only exhausts you can buy are made by the aftermarket, which would be banned under the blanket law. Your six year old car is totaled over a part that costs less than $200.
All of the people that had gathered at the meeting, which took place at the West Side Grille in Northborough, MA. were car enthusiasts with varied backgrounds. There were, amongst others, a police officer, a state inspection and emissions tester, an insurance adjuster, and a museum curator. Also in attendance was Christine Stark, who shared her story of being targeted for her aftermarket exhaust, even though the bill has not been passed into law yet.
Stay tuned for an in-depth look at how far reaching this bill could be, what it means for my nieghboring home state of Connecticut, and what you can do to stop it (hint: sign up for SAN.)"
"alert to those who own cars in Massachusetts" fight it before the bills passes
However, it may soon become illegal to sell or install “an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust” in the state of Massachusetts. In short, if you don’t have an OEM exhaust on your car, you would be forced to remove it as well as pay a fine. The law, which is currently stalled in committee, is House Bill 3574. This would effectively strangle the aftermarket in the Commonwealth, and have unforeseen percussions down the road. A radical citizens group out of Jamaica Plains has been the driving force behind the bill, and it has now found enough support to make it to committee.
However, a group of concerned citizens is being formed to combat the house bill. Led by Jon Weston, and backed by the SEMA Action Network, or SAN, the gathered gear heads spent last evening discussing a bill to reach a compromise with those who are seeking to ban all exhausts. Weston also enlightened everyone about the gravity of the situation.
According to Weston, if this bill were passed into law, “You could no longer buy an exhaust system for any car older than six years.” Why? Due to government regulation, dealerships only need maintain a stock of OEM parts for six years after the car is made. After that, they tend to only to stock aftermarket parts on certain items, including exhausts. Therefore, you would not be able to purchase an exhaust system currently is your car is older than 2001. Now you have a loud exhaust and the only exhausts you can buy are made by the aftermarket, which would be banned under the blanket law. Your six year old car is totaled over a part that costs less than $200.
All of the people that had gathered at the meeting, which took place at the West Side Grille in Northborough, MA. were car enthusiasts with varied backgrounds. There were, amongst others, a police officer, a state inspection and emissions tester, an insurance adjuster, and a museum curator. Also in attendance was Christine Stark, who shared her story of being targeted for her aftermarket exhaust, even though the bill has not been passed into law yet.
Stay tuned for an in-depth look at how far reaching this bill could be, what it means for my nieghboring home state of Connecticut, and what you can do to stop it (hint: sign up for SAN.)"
"alert to those who own cars in Massachusetts" fight it before the bills passes
