By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation in Connecticut that originally threatened to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” or “modified antique motor vehicles” and increase the maximum property tax assessment for these vehicles from $500 to $2,500 has been substituted and sent to the floor of the House for a vote by all members. 

The substitute bill does not change the current 20-year age requirement for these hobby vehicles, but only changes the current available property tax exemptions for all motor vehicles. Under the measure, starting July 1, 2019, vehicle owners would not have to pay taxes on vehicles valued at $20,000 and under, but would still have to pay taxes on the value above $20,000 for vehicles valued at greater than $20,000. The substitute does not remove the current pro-hobby limits on the valuation of antiques/rare/special-interest vehicles. 

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 in Connecticut that originally threatened to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” or “modified antique motor vehicles” and increase the maximum property tax assessment for these vehicles from $500 to $2,500 has been substituted and sent to the floor of the House for a vote by all members. 

The substitute bill does not change the current 20-year age requirement for these hobby vehicles, but only changes the current available property tax exemptions for all motor vehicles. Under the measure, starting July 1, 2019, vehicle owners would not have to pay taxes on vehicles valued at $20,000 and under, but would still have to pay taxes on the value above $20,000 for vehicles valued at greater than $20,000. The substitute does not remove the current pro-hobby limits on the valuation of antiques/rare/special-interest vehicles. 

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 to prohibit a person from selling gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10% by volume (E10) was signed into law by Governor Paul LePage. The law will not take effect until at least two other New England states have also enacted laws that effectively ban the sale of E15 gasoline. Separate legislation to prohibit the sale of any corn-based ethanol gasoline pending similar prohibitions in at least two other New England states failed in the Maine Senate by a 21–14 vote. However, the bill remains alive as Senators reconsider the vote. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation to prohibit a person from selling gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10% by volume (E10) was signed into law by Governor Paul LePage. The law will not take effect until at least two other New England states have also enacted laws that effectively ban the sale of E15 gasoline. Separate legislation to prohibit the sale of any corn-based ethanol gasoline pending similar prohibitions in at least two other New England states failed in the Maine Senate by a 21–14 vote. However, the bill remains alive as Senators reconsider the vote. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation to prohibit a person from selling gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10% by volume (E10) was signed into law by Governor Paul LePage. The law will not take effect until at least two other New England states have also enacted laws that effectively ban the sale of E15 gasoline. Separate legislation to prohibit the sale of any corn-based ethanol gasoline pending similar prohibitions in at least two other New England states failed in the Maine Senate by a 21–14 vote. However, the bill remains alive as Senators reconsider the vote. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

A SEMA-opposed House Joint Resolution (HJR 38) to impose a vehicle miles traveled tax on state motorists died without consideration when the Missouri Legislature adjourned for the year. Under the resolution, beginning January 1, 2015, the state would have charged and collected a "miles driven" fee in the amount of $200 for a one-year registration and $400 for a two-year registration to each owner registering or renewing the registration of a motor vehicle. Had it been approved by the Legislature, this proposed amendment to the state constitution would have gone on a statewide ballot for a popular vote of the people. If approved by a simple majority, this tax would have become part of the constitution. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

A SEMA-opposed House Joint Resolution (HJR 38) to impose a vehicle miles traveled tax on state motorists died without consideration when the Missouri Legislature adjourned for the year. Under the resolution, beginning January 1, 2015, the state would have charged and collected a "miles driven" fee in the amount of $200 for a one-year registration and $400 for a two-year registration to each owner registering or renewing the registration of a motor vehicle. Had it been approved by the Legislature, this proposed amendment to the state constitution would have gone on a statewide ballot for a popular vote of the people. If approved by a simple majority, this tax would have become part of the constitution. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee has approved a SEMA-supported bill (HR 819) to reopen Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina to off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation. It has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee for further action. A similar bill (S. 486) is scheduled to be considered by the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in June.  

The bills would reverse a 2012 management plan issued by the National Park Service that banned OHV access to large portions of the seashore. Under current restrictions, about 39% of the seashore is closed to OHV recreation while 42% of the seashore is open year-round and 19% is open at different times during the year. The legislation would reinstate a previous management strategy that provides a better balance between wildlife protections and responsible OHV access. It also protects local retail businesses, hotels, restaurants and campgrounds that have seen a negative economic impact because of reduced visits by OHV enthusiasts.  

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee has approved a SEMA-supported bill (HR 819) to reopen Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina to off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation. It has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee for further action. A similar bill (S. 486) is scheduled to be considered by the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in June.  

The bills would reverse a 2012 management plan issued by the National Park Service that banned OHV access to large portions of the seashore. Under current restrictions, about 39% of the seashore is closed to OHV recreation while 42% of the seashore is open year-round and 19% is open at different times during the year. The legislation would reinstate a previous management strategy that provides a better balance between wildlife protections and responsible OHV access. It also protects local retail businesses, hotels, restaurants and campgrounds that have seen a negative economic impact because of reduced visits by OHV enthusiasts.  

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.