HB 5422 - Motor Vehicle Noise

• Municipalities may adopt ordinances regulating external speakers on motor vehicles with penalties up to $1,000 for first violation, $1,500 for second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent violations, with authority to seize and forfeit speakers.

• Motor vehicles must undergo periodic decibel level inspections during regular emissions inspections, with maximum noise limits established by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in accordance with federal standards.

• Establishes a 5-year pilot program allowing municipalities to install photo noise monitoring systems that automatically detect and record vehicles exceeding noise limits, with citations mailed to registered owners.

• Violations of noise standards are classified as infractions, with a $90 fine if detected by photo noise monitoring systems; all personally identifiable information is protected and not subject to public records requests.

• Requires municipalities participating in the pilot program to submit annual reports tracking system usage, data disclosures, and requests, with data destroyed within one year after fine imposition or trial resolution.