The Vermont Senate signficantly limited the extent of S.66, a bill aimed at limiting vehicle noise and the use of engine compression brakes, also known as “Jake brakes.” At the urging of your legislative team, lawmakers removed any limit on the use of Jake brakes as well as a provision to prevent certified technicians from inspecting their own vehicles. We also worked to eliminate a so-called “citizen reporting system” for subjective noise complaints. What remains is a prohibition on operating a vehicle with a modified or non-compliant muffler, including gutted mufflers, straight pipes, and motorcycles lacking federally compliant exhaust systems. Trucks with engine compression brakes must also have mufflers to limit noise. Vehicles failing to meet these requirements will not pass inspection.