Minnesota legislature proposed a ban on lead wheel balance weights for all vehicles within the state, including passenger and commercial vehicles.

If passed, Minnesota would become the seventh state to enact a ban on lead wheel balance weights. Minnesota currently has a state mandate in effect for state-owned fleet vehicles to use only non-lead wheel balance weights and has had similar statewide regulation on lead wheel weights proposed in the past.

“It has been a while since we have seen a state reopen the lead wheel weight debate, but this new development in Minnesota shows that the issue is not going away,” said Gregory Parker, marketing manager for weight maker Wegmann Automotive USA Inc.

Minnesota had bills introduced and read on the house and senate floors this past week, with both bills being referred to their environmental and energy resources committees for review. The specific language for each bill includes a ban on the installation, sale and distribution of lead- and mercury-based wheel balance weights. It proposes an effective date of Jan. 1, 2015.