RPPL No. 9-38

NINTH OLBIIL ERA KELULAU

RPPL No. 9-38
Third Special Session, May 2013 Passed as Senate Bill No. 9-56, SD2, HD2

AN ACT

To amend 42 PNC § 903, to allow for any darkness of tint to be used on vehicle windows, and for other related purposes.

THE PEOPLE OF PALAU REPRESENTED IN THE OLBIIL ERA KELULAU DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Legislative findings. The Olbiil Era Kelulau finds that the current "Tinted Vehicles Law" is not economical or practical for vehicle owners in the Republic. The climate in Palau is tropical (hot and humid) all year round. Several studies including the Journal of Louisiana State Medical Society have concluded that the outside temperature and the inside temperature of parked vehicle may differ by up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The current tinting law is not effective in keeping the temperature inside vehicles low therefore vehicle owners are using more air conditioning to cool their vehicles thus increasing the consumption of fuel. The Olbiil Era Kelulau further finds other beneficial reasons for increasing the darkness of the tint on vehicles: (1) car interior can be 60% cooler; (2) tinting can help block harmful ultra violet rays; (3) in an auto-accident, tinting can help shattered class hold together, protecting the occupants of the car; (4) tinting reduces dangerous glare from the sun, helping the driver drive safely; and (5) tinting protects vehicle upholstery. Therefore, the Olbiil Era Kelulau finds it necessary to amend the current "Tinted Vehicles Law" of the Republic.

Section 2. Amendment. Title 42 of the Palau National Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

"§ 903. Prohibition and restrictions on the use of tinted vehicle windows.

(a) After the effective date of this Chapter, (1) a vehicle may be operated with tinted windows that allow transmission of a minimum of 20 percent of available light through the side and rear windows, (2) no vehicle may be operated with tinted front windows except that any percentage light transmission tint may be applied along the top edge of the front window so long as it does not extend below six inches from the top when measured from the middle point of the bottom edge of the top windshield molding, and (3) no vehicle may be operated with mirror, reflective or silver tint film on any windows.

(b) No vehicle may be set in motion where the front windows are obstructed by tinting or any other material, except in accordance with the specifications of subsection (a).

(c) No government vehicle may be operated with tinted windows unless: (1) the windows allow transmission of a minimum of 35 percent of available light through the side and rear windows, (2) no government vehicle may be operated with tinted front windows except that any percentage light transmission tint may be applied along the top edge of the front window so long as it does not extend below six inches from the top when measured from the middle point of the bottom edge of the top windshield molding, and (3) no vehicle may be operated with mirror, reflective, or silver tint film on any windows.

(d) Public safety officers may use a sample of tinting film that allows passage of available light to compare the tinting on a vehicle to determine whether it complies with this Chapter.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a vehicle may be operated with tinted windows if the owner pays a fee to the Bureau of Public Safety in the amount of –

(1) $50.00 for tint that allows between 25 percent and 35 percent of available light through the side and rear windows.

(2) $75.00 for tint that allows between 20 percent and 25 percent of available light through the side and rear windows.

(f) Vehicles which pose a particular danger to the public in the case of an accident, as defined by regulation and including construction vehicles and vehicles engaged in the transport of heavy goods or hazardous materials, may not operate with tinted windows, except that the top six inches of the front windshield may be tinted.

(f) The Bureau of Public Safety shall affix to a car's registration and to the car's license plate proof of payment of fees for tinted windows when applicable."

Section 3. Effective date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the President of the Republic of Palau or upon its becoming law without such approval.

PASSED: November 7, 2014

Approved this 2nd day of December, 2013 [sic].

_________________/s/________________
HE Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr.
President
Republic of Palau