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Perhaps, BadlandsRacer needs to do some additional research. The North Dakota bill is based on a fundamentally flawed premise. Even the bill sponsors now recognize that. The current law references SEMA equipment standards. None exist. Never have. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only issues FMVSS to regulate equipment that is required on all new motor vehicles. An aftermarket part may only be regulated if it takes a vehicle out-of-compliance with a required piece of safety equipment when installed. For example, lift kits used to modify ride height for function and utility are not specifically regulated by FMVSS. So, what is the state patrol to do? Especially, if H.B. 1442 does not indicate any objective criteria that the patrol will use to determine which modifications are legal.
The bill requires an inspection certificate from the department or highway patrol after the completion of all modifications before the motor vehicle with vehicle modifications from the manufacturer's original design of the suspension, steering, or braking systems may be registered. That is a completely new requirement. As a consequence, every time anyone modifies their suspension in a manner different from the OEM design, they would have to get an inspection certificate. Burdensome requirement. How do you get the vehicle to the state police for the inspection? Tow the vehicle? Or do you have to get them to come out to your house to do the inspection? What would the effect be on state resources?
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