AB566: Bill Text

LRB-3085/2

MGG:wlj:rs

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 566

July 18, 2005 - Introduced by Representatives Pettis, Gunderson, Musser, Vos, Ott, Petrowski, Lothian, LeMahieu, Kaufert, Albers and Hahn, cosponsored by Senators Stepp and Breske. Referred to Committee on Tourism.

AB566,1,4 An Act to repeal 350.10 (1) (e); to renumber and amend 350.09 (6) and 350.09 (7); to amend 350.09 (8) and 350.10 (1) (d); and to create 350.095 (title), 350.095 (1) (title), 350.095 (2) (title) and 350.095 (2) (c) and (d) of the statutes; relating to: noise level requirements for snowmobiles.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law requires that snowmobiles manufactured after July 1, 1972, that are sold in this state conform with specific noise level standards for total vehicle noise, as established by the Society of American Engineers (SAE). A different standard applies depending on when the snowmobile was manufactured. Current law also requires that a snowmobile manufactured, sold, or operated in this state have a muffler in good working order that does not cause excessive or unusual noise.

This bill clarifies that the specific total vehicle noise level standards in current law apply only to snowmobiles that are sold as new. The bill then creates separate noise level standards for exhaust and engine noise, as opposed to total vehicle noise, that apply to the manufacture, sale, and operation of all snowmobiles manufactured after July 1, 1972. These standards are also established by the SAE. Again, a different standard as to exhaust and engine noise applies depending on when the snowmobile was manufactured.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB566, s. 1 Section 1. 350.09 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 350.095 (2) (a) and amended to read:

AB566,2,4 350.095 (2) (a) No snowmobile shall may be manufactured, sold, offered for sale, or operated unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order, which.

AB566,2,8 (b) For snowmobiles manufactured after July 1, 1972, a muffler that is in good working order is one that blends the exhaust noise into the overall engine noise and is in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual exhaust and engine noise that exceeds the applicable noise level standards established under pars. (c) and (d).

AB566, s. 2 Section 2. 350.09 (7) of the statutes is renumbered 350.095 (1) (a) and amended to read:

AB566,2,15 350.095 (1) (a) Every snowmobile that is manufactured after July 1, 1972, and before July 2, 1975, and that is offered for sale or sold as a new snowmobile in this state shall be manufactured so constructed as to limit total vehicle noise to not more than 82 decibels of A sound pressure at 50 feet, as measured by society of automotive engineers Society of Automotive Engineers standards.

AB566,2,20 (b) Every snowmobile that is manufactured on or after July 1 2, 1975, and that is offered for sale or sold in this state as a new snowmobile shall be manufactured so constructed as to limit total vehicle noise to not more than 78 decibels of A sound pressure, as measured by society of automotive engineers Society of Automotive Engineers standards.

AB566,3,4 (c) No snowmobile shall may be modified by any person in any manner that shall amplify or otherwise increase total noise emission vehicle noise above that emitted by the snowmobile as originally constructed manufactured, regardless of date of manufacture.

AB566, s. 3 Section 3. 350.09 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB566,3,8 350.09 (8) Subsection (7) Section 350.095 does not apply to snowmobiles competing in a sanctioned race or derby or to snowmobiles being tested by manufacturers, distributors or dealers on lands under their control.

AB566, s. 4 Section 4. 350.095 (title) of the statutes is created to read:

AB566,3,10 350.095 (title) Noise level requirements.

AB566, s. 5 Section 5. 350.095 (1) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

AB566,3,12 350.095 (1) (title) Noise level standards; total vehicle noise.

AB566, s. 6 Section 6. 350.095 (2) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

AB566,3,14 350.095 (2) (title) Noise level standards; exhaust and engine noise.

AB566, s. 7 Section 7. 350.095 (2) (c) and (d) of the statutes are created to read:

AB566,3,20 350.095 (2) (c) For every snowmobile manufactured after July 1, 1972, and before July 2, 1975, the noise level standard for exhaust and engine noise shall be 90 decibels as measured in accordance with the procedures established for the measurement of exhaust sound levels of stationary snowmobiles in the January 2004 Society of Automotive Engeneers Standard J2567.

AB566,3,25 (d) For every snowmobile manufactured on or after July 2, 1975, the noise level standard for exhaust and engine noise shall be 88 decibels as measured in accordance with the procedures established for the measurement of exhaust sound levels of stationary snowmobiles in the January 2004 Society of Automotive Engeneers Standard J2567.

AB566, s. 8 Section 8. 350.10 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB566,4,4 350.10 (1) (d) In such a way that the exhaust of the motor makes an excessive or unusual noise and engine noise exceeds the applicable noise level standard specified in s. 350.095 (2) (c) or (d).

AB566, s. 9 Section 9. 350.10 (1) (e) of the statutes is repealed.

AB566,4,6 (End)