Used tire bill advances in Fla.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 3, 2013) — Two identical bills to prevent the sale of unsafe used tires have advanced to the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), which said it drafted and supports the legislation.

The bills, Florida Senate Bill 1588 and House Bill 485, have passed on the committee level, the RMA said. HB 485 was revised in committee to conform to SB 1588, the association said.

Both bills set forth conditions under which it is illegal to sell used tires, making the practice a violation of Florida's deceptive trade practice statute, which provides for civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each "willful" violation, according to the Florida Statutes.

The Senate bill was introduced by Bill Evers, R-District 2 (Escambia, Santa Rosa and part of Okaloosa counties in the Florida Panhandle).

Under the language of the bills, a used tire is considered unsafe if:

• The tread is worn below 2/32 inch anywhere on the tire;

• The tire has any cuts, cracks, punctures, bulges or wear that reveal the tire's reinforcing plies;

• The tire has had an improper repair, including one to the tread shoulder, belt edge, sidewall or bead area, one that was not sealed or patched on the inside and repaired with a cured rubber stem, or one of a puncture more than ¼ inch in diameter;

• The tire has evidence of temporary tire sealant use without a proper repair;

• The tire is part of a federal recall;

• The tire's identification number has been defaced; or

• The tire has inner liner or bead damage, or evidence of internal separation.

Used tire retailers who sell tires for retreading are exempt from the bills' provision.

If passed, the legislation becomes effective July 1.

The RMA is backing a similar bill in Texas — Senate Bill 459 — which was considered before the Texas Senate Transportation Committee March 27.

Besides the language on unsafe used tires, SB 459 also contains provisions on the proper handling and transportation of used and scrap tires supported by Liberty Tire Recycling L.L.C. but opposed by the Recycling Council of Texas, Texas Tire Dealers Association Texas Automotive Recycling Association.