By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Having already been approved by the House, legislation to prohibit the sale and distribution of corn-based ethanol is pending consideration by the Maine Senate. If enacted into law, the measure would not take effect until at least two of the other New England states—Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont—have enacted laws that prohibit the sale of motor fuel containing corn-based ethanol. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to extend the new car emissions inspection exemption from four to seven model years was passed by the Colorado Senate but died in the House when the Legislature adjourned for the year. An amendment approved by the Senate had moved the implementation date from 2014 to 2016, but kept the extension in place. Separate legislation to extend the exemption to vehicles 10 years old and newer was not approved in the committee earlier this year. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to extend the new car emissions inspection exemption from four to seven model years was passed by the Colorado Senate but died in the House when the Legislature adjourned for the year. An amendment approved by the Senate had moved the implementation date from 2014 to 2016, but kept the extension in place. Separate legislation to extend the exemption to vehicles 10 years old and newer was not approved in the committee earlier this year. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation has been reintroduced in Pennsylvania to extend the emissions-inspection exemption to vehicles never before registered in the state or any other jurisdiction for 10 years from the date of original registration. Current law only exempts new vehicles that have less than 5,000 miles on their odometer for one year after their first registration. The bill would still require that the newest 10 model-year vehicles be subject to visual anti-tampering inspections for the presence of emissions-control components installed on the vehicle by manufacturers. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation has been reintroduced in Pennsylvania to extend the emissions-inspection exemption to vehicles never before registered in the state or any other jurisdiction for 10 years from the date of original registration. Current law only exempts new vehicles that have less than 5,000 miles on their odometer for one year after their first registration. The bill would still require that the newest 10 model-year vehicles be subject to visual anti-tampering inspections for the presence of emissions-control components installed on the vehicle by manufacturers. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation has been reintroduced in Pennsylvania to extend the emissions-inspection exemption to vehicles never before registered in the state or any other jurisdiction for 10 years from the date of original registration. Current law only exempts new vehicles that have less than 5,000 miles on their odometer for one year after their first registration. The bill would still require that the newest 10 model-year vehicles be subject to visual anti-tampering inspections for the presence of emissions-control components installed on the vehicle by manufacturers. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved the “Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area Establishment Act,” (HR 1676) sponsored by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) that would end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, California. The Marines would have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area for up to 60 days per year for training exercises, but the OHV area would be otherwise preserved in perpetuity. The bill will now be considered by the House Armed Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), who has co-sponsored the legislation.
 
HR 1676 protects OHV activities by establishing the "Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area" under continued management by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The legislation provides for public participation in determining the dates for military activities that will be the least disruptive for OHV activities.

Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States, totaling nearly 189,000 acres. The land is used year-round by OHV enthusiasts, as well as mountain bikers, equestrians and hunters. The area is also home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers event.

SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN) continue to urge lawmakers to adopt the solution and enact the legislation into law. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for OHV vehicles and, through the SAN, millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these vehicles. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org or Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved the “Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area Establishment Act,” (HR 1676) sponsored by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) that would end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, California. The Marines would have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area for up to 60 days per year for training exercises, but the OHV area would be otherwise preserved in perpetuity. The bill will now be considered by the House Armed Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), who has co-sponsored the legislation.
 
HR 1676 protects OHV activities by establishing the "Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area" under continued management by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The legislation provides for public participation in determining the dates for military activities that will be the least disruptive for OHV activities.

Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States, totaling nearly 189,000 acres. The land is used year-round by OHV enthusiasts, as well as mountain bikers, equestrians and hunters. The area is also home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers event.

SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN) continue to urge lawmakers to adopt the solution and enact the legislation into law. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for OHV vehicles and, through the SAN, millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these vehicles. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org or Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved the “Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area Establishment Act,” (HR 1676) sponsored by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) that would end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, California. The Marines would have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area for up to 60 days per year for training exercises, but the OHV area would be otherwise preserved in perpetuity. The bill will now be considered by the House Armed Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), who has co-sponsored the legislation.
 
HR 1676 protects OHV activities by establishing the "Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area" under continued management by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The legislation provides for public participation in determining the dates for military activities that will be the least disruptive for OHV activities.

Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States, totaling nearly 189,000 acres. The land is used year-round by OHV enthusiasts, as well as mountain bikers, equestrians and hunters. The area is also home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers event.

SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN) continue to urge lawmakers to adopt the solution and enact the legislation into law. SEMA represents thousands of companies that market products for OHV vehicles and, through the SAN, millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these vehicles. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org or Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

George Barris, Eric Grant, Wade Kawasaki and Joe Schubeck will be inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame—an honor that recognizes an elite group of individuals for raising the stature or growth of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.



Hundreds of industry professionals will gather and pay tribute to the new Hall of Fame members during the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Friday, July 26, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California. Those interested in learning more about the celebration or how to attend may contact Jamie Eriksen at jamiee@sema.org, 909-978-6737.

The 2013 inductees include:

	George Barris

George Barris: A legendary vehicle customizer, well-known for his celebrity creations that include the Batmobile, Munster Koach, KITT from "Knight Rider" and the "Dukes of Hazzard’s" General Lee.



In addition to building vehicles, Barris authored many “how to” articles for magazines, such as Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Car Craft and Rod & Custom.



As a pioneer and icon in the industry, Barris continues to actively influence the industry’s styles and trends. A regular attendee at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Barris is admired and respected by many in the industry.



Eric Grant

Eric Grant: When issues such as clean air and emissions began to arise in the ’60s, SEMA turned to Eric Grant for guidance. At the time, Grant represented the government agency that eventually evolved to be the California Air Resources Board.



Grant met with SEMA members and advised them about the situation, so much so that Grant became an ally for the association and eventually came to serve as SEMA’s executive director.

 As the association’s executive director, Grant was instrumental in advocating for the specialty-equipment industry and helping to solve a number of industry compliance issues.

	Wade Kawasaki

Wade Kawasaki: During his 30-year career, Kawasaki has volunteered and contributed to dozens of SEMA projects.

In addition to serving several terms on the SEMA Board of Directors, Kawasaki is a past chairman for the SEMA Show Committee, Governance Committee, International Task Force and Audit Review Committee. He was instrumental in the creation of the SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) and the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN), and he served as the association’s secretary/treasurer working alongside the Board of Directors. 



His SEMA Hall of Fame induction follows a number of honors that have been bestowed upon him, including 1996 SEMA Young Executive of the Year, 2003 SEMA Chairman’s Service Award recipient and 2007 SEMA Person of the Year.



Joe Schubeck

Joe Schubeck: Known by many as “Gentleman Joe,” Schubeck began his top-fuel racing career in the ’60s. While he spent many years successfully racing, his greatest contribution to the industry came during his post-racing career.



Schubeck founded Lakewood Industries, which manufactured life-saving racing products, such as the bell housing that many continue to refer to simply as the “Lakewood.”



Schubeck was a former SEMA Board member and served on the association’s first Safety Committee. An avid enthusiast and contributor to the industry, he continues to attend the SEMA Show annually.



For more information about the SEMA Hall of Fame, visit www.sema.org/hof.