By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Delegate Kerai Mariur has filed a bill that seeks to amend law and allow darker tints on side and back windows of vehicles.
HB No. 7-155-9 was passed on first reading during last week’s opening of the Ninth Regular Session.
Mariur explained that due to environmental and economic concerns over energy usage and car repair, the present vehicle tinting laws must be amended.
He said that permitting the use of darker tint on rear and side vehicle windows would facilitate the reduction in air conditioning use by decreasing the overall temperature inside of the vehicle, thus lowering energy consumption.
Mariur said that such reduction in energy consumption is beneficial for both the environment and the economy.
He also said that the allowing darker tint will cut the costs of replacing sun-worn car interiors and the malfunctioning of electronic devices due to prolonged period of excessive heat.
The bill said that no vehicle may be operated with tinted windows unless the windows are factory-tinted or allow transmission of a minimum of 20 percent of available light through the side and rear windows. The current law allows 35 percent.
The bill also said that 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 windows so long as it does not extend below eight inches (instead of the current six) from the top when measured from the middle point of the bottom edge of the top windshield molding.
It also said that no vehicle may be operated with mirror, reflective or silver tint on any window.