‘Unreasonably loud’ exhaust targeted by West Virginia bill
West Virginia Reintroduces Bill to Penalize Some Aftermarket Exhaust Systems A bill (H.B. 2190) to provide that the noise from a motor vehicle exhaust system that has been deemed “disturbing…
West Virginia Reintroduces Bill to Penalize Some Aftermarket Exhaust Systems
A bill (H.B. 2190) to provide that the noise from a motor vehicle exhaust system that has been deemed “disturbing or unreasonably loud” constitutes the crime of disturbing the peace has been reintroduced for consideration in the West Virginia State Legislature. Under the bill, violators could be fined up to $1,000 per occurrence, jailed for six months, or both. Meanwhile, legislation (H.B. 2456) that would allow West Virginia’s vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test was also introduced in the West Virginia State Legislature.
We Urge You to Contact House Judiciary Committee Members (List Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to H.B. 2190 and Support for H.B. 2456
H.B. 2190 does not supply law enforcement with an enforcement standard, allowing them to make subjective judgments on whether an exhaust system is “disturbing or unreasonably loud.”
H.B. 2190 fails to recognize that a better way to address this issue is by establishing a fair and reasonable exhaust noise decibel limit.
H.B. 2190 ignores the fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions.
H.B. 2190 fails to recognize that aftermarket exhaust systems offer increased performance, which can make a vehicle safer by improving its ability to merge, pass, travel uphill, etc.
H.B. 2190 would make it difficult for hobbyists to replace factory exhaust systems with more durable, better performing options.
DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the West Virginia House Judiciary Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to request their opposition to H.B. 2190 and support for H.B. 2456.
Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance. Also, please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts. Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance.
West Virginia House Judiciary Committee
Delegate Tim Miley
Phone: (304) 340-3252
Email: tim.miley@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Mark Hunt
Phone: (304) 340-3392
Email: mhunt@markahunt.com
Delegate John N. Ellem
Phone: (304) 340-3394
Email: ellem@wirefire.com
Delegate Patrick Lane
Phone: (304) 340-3275
Email: patrick.lane@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Larry W. Barker
Phone: (304) 340-3149
Email: larry.barker@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Bonnie Brown
Phone: (304) 340-3106
Email: bonnie.brown@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Mike Caputo
Phone: (304) 340-3249
Email: mike.caputo@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Michael T. Ferro
Phone: (304) 340-3111
Email: mike.ferro@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer
Phone: (304) 340-3169
Email: barbaraf@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate John R. Frazier
Phone: (304) 340-3396
Email: jfrazier@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Linda Longstreth
Phone: (304) 340-3124
Email: linda.longstreth@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Mike Manypenny
Phone: 304/340-3139
Email: mike.manypenny@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Harold Michael
Phone: 304/340-3340
Email: Harold@hardynet.com
Delegate Clif Moore
Phone: 304/340-3189
Email: cmoore@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate John Pino
Phone: 304/340-3170
Email: john.pino@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Meshea Poore
Phone: 304/340-3248
Email: meshea.poore@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Doug Skaff Jr.
Phone: 304/340-3362
Email: doug.skaff@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Danny Wells
Phone: 304/340-3287
Email: danny.wells@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Troy Andes
Phone: 304/340-3121
Email: troy.andes@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Bill Hamilton
Phone: 304/340-3167
Email: bill.hamilton@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Lynwood Ireland
Phone: 304/340-3195
Email: woody.ireland@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Carol Miller
Phone: 304/340-3176
Email: carol.miller@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Miller J
Phone: 304/340-3147
Email: jonathan@delegatejmiller.com
Delegate John Overington
Phone: (304) 340-3148
Email: john@overington.com
Delegate Kelli Sobonya (R - Cabell)
Phone: (304) 340-3175
Email: kelli.sobonya@wvhouse.gov

Angelo Van Bogart is the editor of Old Cars magazine and wrote the column "Hot Wheels Hunting" for Toy Cars & Models magazine for several years. He has authored several books including "Hot Wheels 40 Years," "Hot Wheels Classics: The Redline Era" and "Cadillac: 100 Years of Innovation." His 2023 book "Inside the Duesenberg SSJ" is his latest. He can be reached at avanbogart@aimmedia.com