HR1475: HR1475 Joint Study Committee on Modified Exhaust Systems on Motor Vehicles; create

26 LC 63 0120 House Resolution 1475 By: Representative Dubnik of the 29th A RESOLUTION Creating the Joint Study Committee on Modified Exhaust Systems on Motor Vehicles; and1 for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, noise generated by modified exhaust systems on motor vehicles is detrimental3 to an individual's health such that regulation of such systems is necessary; and4 WHEREAS, Georgia law makes it unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale a muffler5 that causes "excessive or unusual noise," among other requirements; and6 WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies of this state report that such agencies are not able to7 enforce Georgia law with respect to modified exhaust systems on motor vehicles because8 "excessive or unusual noise" is not defined in the Code; and9 WHEREAS, the current legal framework needs to be updated to clarify the legal standards10 applicable to modified exhaust systems on motor vehicles to ensure the enforceability of such11 provisions; and12 WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to undertake a comprehensive review of Georgia law in13 order to clarify definitions and evaluate effectiveness of current penalties relating to modified14 H. R. 1475 - 1 - 26 LC 63 0120 exhaust systems and whether entities providing vehicle modifying services should also be15 held accountable for excessive noise; and16 WHEREAS, study of other states' enforcement mechanisms should be undertaken to consider17 modifications to Georgia law to allow the use of handheld decibel meters by state and local18 law enforcement agencies.19 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF20 GEORGIA:21 (1) Creation of joint study committee. There is created the Joint Study Committee on22 Modified Exhaust Systems on Motor Vehicles.23 (2) Members and officers.24 (A) The committee shall be composed of seven members.25 (B) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint four members of the26 House of Representatives as members of the committee. The Speaker shall designate27 one such member as a cochairperson of the committee.28 (C) The President of the Senate shall appoint three members of the Senate as members29 of the committee. The President shall designate one such member as a cochairperson30 of the committee.31 (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,32 issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or33 legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.34 (4) Meetings. The cochairpersons shall call all meetings of the committee. T h e35 committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem36 necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform37 its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.38 H. R. 1475 - 2 - 26 LC 63 0120 (5) Allowances and funding. The legislative members of the committee shall receive39 the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Offic ial Code of Georgia40 Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any41 member of the committee for more than three days unless additional days are authorized. 42 Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds43 appropriated to the House of Representatives and the Senate.44 (6) Report.45 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that46 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the cochairpersons shall file a report of the47 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to48 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.49 (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for50 proposed legislation, the cochairpersons shall file the report, s u b j e c t t o51 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.52 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of53 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. 54 A report so approved shall be signed by the cochairpersons of the committee and filed55 with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate.56 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the cochairpersons may file with the Clerk57 of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate copies of the minutes58 of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.59 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.60 H. R. 1475 - 3 -