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Senate adopts committee amendment to motor-vehicle noise bill; orders third reading
Summary
Senate bill S 66, which targets excessive motor vehicle noise by strengthening inspection standards, requiring motorcycle muffler stamps (post-1985) and directing a study on noise limits, was amended as recommended by the Senate Transportation Committee and ordered for third reading after floor approval of the committee amendment.
The Vermont Senate on March 18, 2025 approved the Transportation Committee’s recommended amendment to S 66, a bill that aims to curb excessive motor-vehicle noise statewide, and ordered the measure for third reading.
The senator from Windsor, presenting S 66 for the committee, described it as a transportation noise bill intended to protect public health, quality of life and the environment by addressing intentionally modified mufflers, unmuffled engine compression brakes ("Jake brakes"), and illegally modified motorcycles.
Key provisions in the committee'amended bill include tightened state inspection language to prohibit inadequately muffled vehicles and exhaust modifications made to intentionally increase noise, a requirement that motorcycles meet federal EPA labeling standards for mufflers (post-1985 motorcycles must bear an EPA stamp), direction for a study to recommend vehicle noise limits and enforcement tools, and preservation of local authority to ban unmuffled engine compression brakes in sensitive areas such as downtowns.
The presenter told senators the Transportation Committee received roughly 30 witnesses, including a noise expert, a pediatric physician, DMV and law enforcement representatives, business owners and nonprofit organizations. The majority of testimony supported a trimmed, enforceable bill. The presenter said the committee pared back earlier enforcement provisions, removing a requirement that would have mandated decibel meters or noise cameras for roadside enforcement and restoring the ability of fleet operators to self-inspect.
On the floor senators interrogated the proposer about enforcement mechanics, equipment and exemptions. A senator from Addison asked whether the state would need to purchase sound-measuring equipment; the presenter said the current, committee-amended bill does not require decibel meters at roadside and that enforcement would rely primarily on inspection stations rather than the state buying meters. The presenter also said events such as races and exhibitions are expressly exempted.
Questions about motorcycles were raised: the bill requires post-1985 motorcycles to have EPA-certified mufflers (a visible stamp) rather than imposing a roadside decibel standard in this version; the presenter said that stamped mufflers provide an objective indicator for inspectors.
The Senate agreed to the committee'recommended amendment and, after a voice vote, the presiding officer ordered third reading of S 66.
What changed: The amended bill removes earlier provisions requiring roadside decibel enforcement, preserves exemptions for organized events and emergency situations, and directs a study to develop enforceable noise limits and tools.
Next steps: S 66 returns to the floor for third reading and final disposition on a later floor day.
