A substitute bill (S.B. 106) to ban the use of most aftermarket exhaust systems will not be taken up by the Utah Senate prior to the adjournment of the legislature. The bill is dead for the year. Under the substitute bill, all vehicles would have been required to be equipped with an exhaust system that is “installed by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and is not modified; or meets specifications equivalent to the muffler installed by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and is not modified.”
Among other things, S.B. 106 ignored the fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions; did not supply law enforcement with a clear standard to enforce, allowing them to make subjective judgments on whether or not a modified exhaust system is in violation; and would have made it difficult for hobbyists to replace factory exhaust systems with more durable, better performing options.
On behalf of the SEMA Action Network, congratulations and thanks to all who participated in opposing this bill.