A bill (H.B. 3574) to ban the sale or installation of "an exhaust system
which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the
noise emitted by the exhaust" was reintroduced by Rep. Liz Malia and
several cosponsors (list below) and will be considered by the
Massachusetts Joint Transportation Committee on October 2nd.  The bill
excludes limited-use "antique motor cars" from its scope - a clear
attempt by the bill's sponsors to divide the automobile hobby in an
effort to gain clearer sailing for this restrictive and damaging piece
of legislation.

We Urge You to Contact the Members of the Joint Transportation Committee
(List Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to H.B. 3574

* H.B. 3574 ignores the fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are
designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing
emissions.

* H.B. 3574 does not supply law enforcement with a clear standard to
enforce, allowing them to make subjective judgments on whether or not a
modified exhaust system is in violation.

* H.B. 3574 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. 3574 would make it difficult for hobbyists to replace factory
exhaust systems with more durable, better performing options.

* H.B. 3574 would only exclude "antique motor cars" defined as those
vehicles over 25-years old which are used exclusively for exhibitions,
club activities, parades, etc.

DON'T DELAY!  Please contact members of the Massachusetts Joint
Transportation Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to request their
opposition to H.B. 3574.

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at
stevem@sema.org.  Thank you for your assistance.

Massachusetts Joint Transportation Committee

Sen. Steven Baddour - Chairman
Phone: 617/722-1604
Email: Steven.Baddour@state.ma.us

Sen. Harriett Chandler
Phone: 617/722-1544
Fax: 617/722-1357
Email: Harriette.Chandler@state.ma.us

Sen. Anthony Petruccelli
Phone:  617/722-1634
Email: Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us

Sen. Thomas McGee
Phone: 617/722-1350
Email: Thomas.McGee@state.ma.us

Sen. Mark Montigny
Phone: 617/722-1440
Fax: 617/722-1068
Email: Mark.Montigny@state.ma.us

Sen. James Timilty
Phone: 617/722-1222
Fax: 617/722-1056
Email: James.Timilty@state.ma.us

Sen. Robert Hedlund
Phone: 617/722-1646
Fax: 617/722-1028
Email: Robert.Hedlund@state.ma.us

Rep. Joseph Wagner - Chairman
Phone: 617/722-2400
Email: Rep.JosephWagner@hou.state.ma.us

Rep. Robert Fennell
Phone: 617/722-2400
Fax: 617/722-0222
Email: Rep.RobertFennell@hou.state.ma.us

Rep. James Marzilli
Phone: 617/722-2400
Fax: 617/722-2850
Email: Rep.JamesMarzilli@hou.state.ma.us

Rep. Walter Timilty
Phone: 617/722-2810
Email: Rep.WalterTimilty@hou.state.ma.us

Rep. Stephen Canessa
Phone: 617/722-2460
Fax: 617/626-0839
Email: Rep.StephenCanessa@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. Jennifer Flanagan
Phone: 617/722-2040
Fax: 617/722-2347
Email: Rep.JenniferFlanagan@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. Patrick Natale
Phone:617/722-2810
Email: Rep.PatrickNatale@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. Carl Sciortino
Phone: 617/722-2014
Email: Rep.CarlSciortino@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. John Fernandes
Phone: 617/722-2030
Fax: 617/722-2215
Email: Rep.JohnFernandes@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. Rosemary Sandlin
Phone: 617/722-2400
Email: Rep.RosemarySandlin@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. Stephen Smith
Phone: 617/722-2400
Fax: 617/722-2850
Email: Rep.StephenSmith@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. Paul Loscocco
Phone: 617/722-2220
Email: Rep.PaulLoscocco@hou.state.ma.us

Rep. Donald Humason
Phone: 617/722-2803
Fax: 617/722-2390
Email: Rep.DonaldHumason@hou.state.ma.us

H.B. 3574  Co-Sponsors

Rep. Elizabeth Malia
Phone: 617/722-2060
Email: Rep.LizMalia@hou.state.ma.us

Rep. Angelo Scaccia
Phone: 617/722-2692
Fax: 617/722-2822
Email: Rep.AngeloScaccia@hou.state.ma.us

Rep. Denise Provost
Phone: 617/722-2810
Fax: 617/722-0548
Rep.DeniseProvost@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. William Brownberger
Phone: 617/722-2140
Fax: 617/722-2339
Email: Rep.WilliamBrownsberger@Hou.State.MA.US

Rep. Thomas Kennedy
Phone: 617/722-2012
Fax: 617-722-2024
Email: Rep.ThomasKennedy@hou.state.ma.us

Rep. Martha Walz
Phone: 617/722-2460
Fax: 617/626-0699
Email: Rep.MartyWalz@Hou.State.MA.US

Sen. Patricia Jehlen
Phone: 617/722-1578
Fax: 617/722-1117
Email: Patricia.Jehlen@state.ma.us

Sen. Edward Augustus
Phone: 617/722-1485
Fax: 617/722-1066
Email: Edward.Augustus@state.ma.us  

I am concerned about the Massachusetts Bill to Ban the Sale/Installation of Aftermarket Exhaust Systems Considered by Joint Transportation Committee on Oct. 2. I am sorry I did not hear about this important legislation until the committee already met.

Custom exhausts increase engine volumetric efficiency, performance, and can improve fuel mileage. However, there is another issue to aftermarket exhaust or other aftermarket  accessories that is not as well known.

I am concerned youngsters are receiving citations in Massachusetts for loud and objectionable exhaust when there is no standard, no sound meter, just the ear of a police official that determines what constitutes loud. Citations have become a cash cow for the issuing department, the RMV, the insurance industry through the point system, and a supplement to towns dwindling coffers. Extra dollars for city and towns are the driving force behind passing anti custom exhaust legislation. The same situation exists for modified ride height, no chassis height specifications and loosely written laws allow subjective judgement, not based on decibels, centimeters or inches, but solely on how the driver is perceived when stopped or the mood of the official.  

Today i got pulled over for 2 other thing beside my exhaust and here write me up for having a half of aftermarket exhaust on my car and it is a $50 fine for having one and motorcycles have stock exhaust and their are loud them my exhaust and i am still be writen up for have it on my car. WHAT THE ***