TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Two identical bills to prevent the sale of unsafe used tires have advanced to the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, the Rubber Manufacturers Association said.

The RMA drafted and supports Florida Senate Bill 1588 and House Bill 485, both of which have passed on the committee level. HB 485 was revised in committee to conform to SB 1588, the RMA said.

Both bills set forth conditions under which it is illegal to sell used tires. 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. Tire retailers who sell unsafe tires as defined by the legislation will be considered guilty of a "deceptive and unfair trade practice" under Florida law, although the bills do not specify penalties.

If passed, the legislation becomes effective July 1, 2013.

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.