A bill (H.B. 3087) 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 introduced 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.
We Urge You to Contact House Judiciary Committee Members (List Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to H.B. 3087
* H.B. 3087 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. 3087 fails to recognize that a better way to address this issue is by establishing a fair and reasonable exhaust noise decibel limit.
* H.B. 3087 ignores the fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions.
* H.B. 3087 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. 3087 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. 3087.
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 Tal Hutchins
Phone: (304) 340-3270
Email: t.hutchins@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Linda Longstreth
Phone: (304) 340-3124
Email: linda.longstreth@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 Mike Ross
Phone: (304) 340-3145
Email: mikeross@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Alex J. Shook
Phone: (304) 340-3173
Email: ashook@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Doug Skaff Jr.
Phone: (304) 340-3362
Email: doug.skaff@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Sally Susman
Phone: (304) 340-3183
Email: ssusman@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Danny Wells
Phone: (304) 340-3287
Email: danny.wells@wvhouse.gov
Delegate William R. Wooton
Phone: (304) 340-3164
Email: wrwooton@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Bill Hamilton
Phone: (304) 340-3167
bill.hamilton@wvhouse.gov
Delegate John Overington
Phone: (304) 340-3148
Email: john@overington.com
Delegate Robert A. Schadler
Phone: (304) 340-3191
Email: rschadler@comcast.net
Delegate Patti Eagloski Schoen
Phone: (304) 340-3141
Email: pschoen@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Kelli Sobonya
Phone: (304) 340-3175
Email: kelli.sobonya@wvhouse.gov
Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.