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A two-year pilot program targeting excessively loud vehicle mufflers could soon become law, giving Fairfax County and other participating localities a new enforcement tool.
The legislation is awaiting action from Gov. Abigail Spanberger after passing both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly earlier this year. Spanberger has until April 13 to act on bills sent to her desk.
Del. Rip Sullivan, a Democrat representing District 6, said at a March 31 town hall that he expects Spanberger to sign the measure and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to implement it.
The program would allow eligible localities in certain parts of Virginia to use electronic noise-monitoring devices to identify vehicles with modified mufflers producing more than 95 decibels. Vehicle owners recorded above that threshold could receive a $100 civil penalty.
Sullivan’s bill underwent amendments and negotiations between the House of Delegates and Senate during the 60-day legislative session. It ultimately passed largely along party lines.
Similar legislation cleared the General Assembly in 2025 but was vetoed by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican. Spanberger, a Democrat, was elected the following November.
Fairfax County officials supported the proposal in both years and listed it among their leading legislative priorities.
Sullivan told attendees that the legislation contains safeguards against overly aggressive local enforcement and gives communities an additional way to address an existing violation.
“This does not make loud mufflers illegal, as they’re already illegal,” Sullivan said.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, a Democrat representing District 38, joined Sullivan at the McLean Citizens Association forum. About 100 people attended the event at the McLean Community Center, where proposed legislation that would make Fairfax County eligible for a casino also drew extensive discussion.