Industry News: Hawaii: Car Audio Dealers Face Legislation
- Thursday 10th February, 2011
Hawaiian car audio dealers are facing legislation that could ban the sale of speakers above 6.5” or speakers that can produce more than 100 watts of power and selling any system with more than 4 speakers.
The Legislative Bill goes before a State Committee on Wednesday 9th February. If local retailers have no opposition to this Bill it could easily pass as law. That would put a massive dent in the Car Audio industry of Hawaii.
Specifically, the Bill would ban of installation and ownership of speakers over 6.5” (any depth or height), any aftermarket system of 5 speakers or more, any aftermarket speaker over 100 watts and any aftermarket speaker installed external to the passenger compartment or in an open hatchback. These bans DO NOT include OEM ststems. The Bill seeks to impose a fine of $250 for each violation.
Hawaiian Car Audio dealers are being urged to attend and oppose the Bill by attending the State Committee meeting on Wednesday.
If the Bill is approved by the House Transportation Committee, it could be affective immediately.
Another bizarre Bill awaiting hearing is to make it illegal to install or use a car alarm as of January 1 2012. This act could fine anyone whose car alarm sounds for any period of time, fines would increase per violation up to $500 for a sixth violation.
Just for interest’s sake, a car alarm is defined as any device, even if it does not emit a sound, which is designed or used for the detection of unauthorised entry into a motor vehicle.
This Bill, if passed would require such systems that have been installed prior to that date to be disabled.
Hawaii is meant to be the happy state.
UPDATE: 11/02/2011 From 12VoltNews.com
Honolulu, HI (02.10.11) – The proposed legislation to ban aftermarket audio equipment in the state of Hawaii was shot down.
Don Krug, of Delcrest International, attended the transportation committee’s meeting at 9 AM Wednesday morning, February 9th, in the Hawaii State House. Krug, along with a crowd of dozens, were there to strongly oppose the proposed legislation.
“The way everyone came together was amazing. Store owners, installers, sales people and distributors attended. Not one person at the meeting spoke in support of H. R. NO. 1178,” Krug reported to 12voltnews.com in a telephone interview. Adding Krug said, “We appreciate the heads up from you.”
The dire consequences that H.R. NO. 1178 represented was apparent to everyone across the entire 12volt industry – Hawaii and stateside. Stateside support for fellow retailers in Hawaii, through emails to the committee and phone calls, was tremendous.
Krug’s Delcrest International is the Pioneer distributor in Hawaii.
