Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §1912, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

1. Muffler required. A person may not operate a motor vehicle unless that vehicle is equipped with an adequate muffler properly maintained to prevent excessive or unusual noise so that the exhaust system does not emit noise in excess of 95 decibels. Decibel levels must be determined using current standards and specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers.__A court may dismiss an action against a person for operating a vehicle in violation of this subsection if the court finds that the operator had reasonable grounds to believe that the vehicle was not operated in violation of this subsection.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §1912, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §1912, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:

3-A.__Aftermarket exhaust system.__Persons who have installed an aftermarket exhaust system in a motor vehicle must have a certificate issued by the Chief of the State Police certifying that the system conforms to current standards and specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers pursuant to subsection 1.

Authorized inspection stations may certify aftermarket exhaust systems.__The Chief of the State Police shall adopt rules establishing standards and specifications for aftermarket exhaust system certification including information to be included on a certificate.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.__The fee for aftermarket exhaust system certification is $20, a portion of which accrues to the Bureau of State Police, Traffic Division to offset administrative costs.__The Chief of the State Police shall provide exhaust certificates to inspection stations.__The aftermarket exhaust system certificate must be carried in the vehicle at all times.

An aftermarket exhaust system that has original equipment style and design is not governed by this section.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a standard for excessive exhaust system noise emission from a motor vehicle. It also establishes a certification process that allows a person to install an aftermarket exhaust system that complies with this standard.