ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1855

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 6, 2024

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1855. 

      As amended and reported, this bill prohibits the installation or modification of the muffler or exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which amplifies or increases the noise emitted by the muffler or exhaust system of the motor vehicle above that emitted by the muffler or exhaust system originally installed on the vehicle.  The penalty for violating the provisions of the bill is a fine not exceeding $250 for a first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense thereafter. 

      Under current law, the penalty for the unauthorized installation of a device that causes the exhaust system to emit an audible sound and the failure to have a muffler in good working order to prevent excessive or usual sound is $25. 

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  change the penalty for violating the provisions of the bill from a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or both, to a fine not exceeding $250 for a first offense and a fine not exceeding $500 for each subsequent offense thereafter;

      (2)  remove the requirement that motor vehicle inspections include the inspection of mufflers and exhaust systems for excessive or unusual noise; and

      (3)  update the title and synopsis of the bill.