A bill aimed to require mudflaps on vehicles that weigh 10,000 lbs. or more moved out of committee. House Bill 1212 makes this requirement enforceable by law.
Representative David Kull introduced the bill. He said the price of windshields have skyrocketed to the point of needing to regulate mud flaps on semi-trucks.
“One individual I recently talked to about this bill told me that he had experienced a significant rock chip and cracked windshield, needed to be replaced at a cost of $1,000 dollars and insurance did not cover that. Got the windshield fixed, and about three to four weeks later, he got another rock chip, and another windshield. Will mudflaps reduce rock chips to zero? Absolutely not," said Kull. "But they should reduce a large number and that is a good thing for our motoring public and constituents.”
Not all members of the committee agreed with Kull’s perceived need for regulation.
Republican Representative Liz May said there is no data to back up the need for the bill.
“I think that our law enforcement has enough on their plate, I do not think this bill is necessary. If you bring it back next year, and you’ve got statistics, and you’ve got public safety in here supporting this legislation, then I could understand it. Then we would have something to debate and decide on” said May.
After a narrow vote that attempted to kill the bill, the House Transportation committee passed it in a seven to five vote.
The bill now heads to the House floor.
