An Act To Improve Enforcement of Snowmobile Noise Levels
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0483
Committee Amendment CA_A_H48 (House)
Amends: 12 MRSA §13106-A, 12 MRSA §13112

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 346, L.D. 483, Bill, "An Act To 
Improve Enforcement of Snowmobile Noise Levels" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §13106-A, sub-§14, as amended by PL 2009, c. 340, §20, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §13106-A, sub-§14-A is enacted to read: 
14-A. 
Snowmobile noise requirements. 
This subsection governs noise level 
requirements for snowmobiles. 
A. Except as provided in section 13112, a person may not: 
(1) Operate a snowmobile manufactured after February 1, 2007 that does not 
display on its exhaust silencer a visible, unaltered certification marking issued by 
an independent organization that certifies snowmobiles for uniformity of safety 
features and noise levels; 
(2) Operate a snowmobile manufactured after October 1, 1985 that emits total 
vehicle noise greater than 78 decibels of sound pressure level at 50 feet on the 
"A" scale, as measured by the SAE standards J-192; or 
(3) Operate a snowmobile with an exhaust system that has been modified in a 
manner that amplifies or otherwise increases total noise emission above that of 
the snowmobile as originally constructed, regardless of the date of manufacture. 
A snowmobile manufactured on or before October 1, 1973 is not subject to a specific 
noise level, except that a person may not operate a snowmobile modified in violation 
of subparagraph (3). 
B. The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection. 
( 1) A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a 
fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
-,'!_ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·/'4" to H.P. 346, L.D. 483 
(2) A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as 
having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 
5-year period commits a Class E crime. 
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §13112, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 
655, Pt. B, §400 and affected by §422, is further amended to read: 
§13112. Racing meets 
Notwithstanding section 10650 and section 13106-A, subsections +4 14-A, 15 and 
16, snowmobiles operated at a prearranged racing meet whose sponsor has obtained a 
permit to hold such a meet from the commissioner are exempt from the provisions of this 
chapter concerning registration, noise, horsepower and lights during the time of operation 
at such meets and at all prerace practices at the location of the meet.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. The amendment provides that a person may not 
operate a snowmobile manufactured after February 1, 2007 unless the snowmobile has a 
visible and unaltered certification marking issued by an independent organization that 
certifies snowmobiles for uniformity of safety features and noise levels on the 
snowmobile's exhaust silencer. The amendment provides that a person may not operate a 
snowmobile manufactured after October 1, 1985 that emits total vehicle noise greater 
than 78 decibels. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/10/17 .::&'ac=. 
LD483 
LR 1450(02) 
An Act To Improve Enforcement of Snowmobile Noise Levels 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment •A• [ H-4-zj 
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Establishes new Class E crimes and civil violations. 
The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs to the Department ofinland Fisheries and Wildlife as a result of changes to laws governing 
snowmobile noise limits, measurement of noise limits and modifications to snowmobile exhausts are anticipated to be 
minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1450(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1