Government Affairs

SEMA-supported legislation to extend the new car emissions inspection exemption from four to seven model years has been introduced in the Colorado Senate.

A version of SEMA-model legislation to prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance that prevents automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby was denied further consideration by the House Local Government Committee after initial review.

A bill has been amended in the California Senate to authorize the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to provide other forms of financial assistance to an owner to retire a motor vehicle.

A SEMA-supported bill (HR 1462) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to reform the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The current RFS mandates that an increasing amount of ethanol or other biofuels be blended into gasoline each year—levels that are now becoming unattainable in a free marketplace.

In cooperation with Wisconsin's collector vehicle community, legislation has been introduced in the Wisconsin Senate to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners.

Legislation has been introduced in North Carolina to impose a fine on any person who equips a car with headlamps that “change the original design.” The SEMA-opposed bill conflicts with the Federal “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.”

SEMA is opposing two pieces of Idaho legislation to increase annual registration fees for motor vehicles having a gross weight of 8,000 lbs. or less. The fee increase would vary depending on the age of the vehicle. The SEMA Action Network (SAN)-opposed legislation that would have increased annual registration fees for motor vehicles weighing 8,000 lbs. or less died when the Idaho Legislature adjourned for the year.

With opposition from SEMA, legislation that threatened to disallow the use of year-of-manufacture license plates in Connecticut after July 1, 2013, was amended in committee to continue to allow use of these plates.

Legislation to repeal the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol could be considered this week by the Florida House of Representatives with a vote by all members.

Legislation to require the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to provide, for one year, a specially designed vintage reproduction registration plate to qualifying vehicle owners was approved by both the Maryland Senate and House and sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law.