TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Florida State Bill 1588, which would outlaw the sale of unsafe used tires, has been added as a provision to a larger transportation bill that was passed unanimously in the Florida Senate.
SB 1588 would make it illegal to sell any used tire has a tread depth of less than 1/16 inch; is visibly damaged; has improper repairs or punctures larger than ¼ inch; does not have a clear Department of Transportation identification number; is subject to a safety recall; or otherwise does not meet federal tire safety standards.
The Florida House version of the bill does not contain the language of SB 1588, according to Dan Zielinski, senior vice president of public affairs for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. SB 1588 is the RMA's model bill for regulating the sale of used tires.
The Florida legislature adjourns May 3, so both the House and Senate must bring their transportation bills to a vote this week, Zielinski said.
"What we have going for us is that this legislation is seen as a 'must-pass' bill," he said. "The trick will be to make sure the language of SB 1588 remains in the reconciliation package."