By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

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 signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley. Under the new law, to be eligible to receive a vintage reproduction registration plate, the vehicle must be a passenger, small truck, historic, multipurpose or street-rod vehicle. The vintage reproduction plate will be designed to resemble the 1910 Maryland registration plate, which has black lettering on a yellow background. The MVA estimates that the additional cost to obtain the plates would be $20 and would take effect January 1, 2014. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to allow off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles and motorcycles. In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Under the new law, licensed off-road vehicle operators will be required to be in possession of their registration and a valid driver’s license. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to allow off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles and motorcycles. In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Under the new law, licensed off-road vehicle operators will be required to be in possession of their registration and a valid driver’s license. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Working with state lawmakers, SEMA helped amend legislation that originally threatened to ban any covering that reduced the visibility of required motor-vehicle lighting. Under the amendment, which was approved by the Arkansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Mike Beebe, these coverings would be prohibited only when required lamps are in use. SEMA expressed its concern that the original bill could be misinterpreted to include such items as removable ornamental lamp covers, which are often used for shows, exhibitions and street use during daylight hours.  

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Working with state lawmakers, SEMA helped amend legislation that originally threatened to ban any covering that reduced the visibility of required motor-vehicle lighting. Under the amendment, which was approved by the Arkansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Mike Beebe, these coverings would be prohibited only when required lamps are in use. SEMA expressed its concern that the original bill could be misinterpreted to include such items as removable ornamental lamp covers, which are often used for shows, exhibitions and street use during daylight hours.  

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C. Staff

Following years of debate, legislation to give states the ability to collect sales tax from out-of-state Internet and mail-order retailers passed the U.S. Senate. President Obama has signaled his support of the “Marketplace Fairness Act” (S. 743). However, the bill must still be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. Given that SEMA represents both Internet retailers and brick-and-mortar stores, SEMA is neutral on the legislation.

Under a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, states cannot force retailers to collect state sales/use taxes unless the company has a physical presence in the state (“nexus”). The legislation would provide states with this authority. It would also exempt sellers that make less than $1 million in total remote sales in the year preceding the sale from the requirement to collect the tax. 

The bill is constructed around acceptance of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP)—a multi-state agreement to establish one uniform system to administer and collect sales taxes. Twenty-four states have adopted the simplification measures to date, thereby making them eligible to require sales tax collection if Congress enacts the legislation into law. Those states are: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

By SEMA Washington, D.C. Staff

Following years of debate, legislation to give states the ability to collect sales tax from out-of-state Internet and mail-order retailers passed the U.S. Senate. President Obama has signaled his support of the “Marketplace Fairness Act” (S. 743). However, the bill must still be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. Given that SEMA represents both Internet retailers and brick-and-mortar stores, SEMA is neutral on the legislation.

Under a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, states cannot force retailers to collect state sales/use taxes unless the company has a physical presence in the state (“nexus”). The legislation would provide states with this authority. It would also exempt sellers that make less than $1 million in total remote sales in the year preceding the sale from the requirement to collect the tax. 

The bill is constructed around acceptance of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP)—a multi-state agreement to establish one uniform system to administer and collect sales taxes. Twenty-four states have adopted the simplification measures to date, thereby making them eligible to require sales tax collection if Congress enacts the legislation into law. Those states are: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

	SEMA-member companies are invited to measure and preview a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 at Dearborn, Michigan-based, Link Engineering, Tuesday, May 14.

SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has brought a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 to the United States. The one-ton pickup is being sold throughout the world but not in the United States or Canada.   

SEMA-member companies are invited to measure and preview the truck at Dearborn, Michigan-based, Link Engineering, Tuesday, May 14. Additional sessions will be added at the SEMA headquarters. There is no charge for these sessions. To sign up, register online to measure in the Midwest or California.

The truck is also available for members to measure in their shops on a cost-reimbursable basis.  

The new Ford Ranger—a body-on-frame, Australian-design, midsize truck—is offered in Double, Super and Regular cab body styles. The vehicle being made available to SEMA members is a 4x4 double cab with a 2.5L, five-speed gasoline engine. The vehicle, which SEMA imported from the Middle East, was assembled in South Africa.

Ford Ranger T6 Detroit Measuring Session

Date: May 14, 2013
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: Link Engineering, Dearborn, Michigan
Registration: Sign up online

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or call 202-415-8008.

	SEMA-member companies are invited to measure and preview a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 at Dearborn, Michigan-based, Link Engineering, Tuesday, May 14.

SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has brought a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 to the United States. The one-ton pickup is being sold throughout the world but not in the United States or Canada.   

SEMA-member companies are invited to measure and preview the truck at Dearborn, Michigan-based, Link Engineering, Tuesday, May 14. Additional sessions will be added at the SEMA headquarters. There is no charge for these sessions. To sign up, register online to measure in the Midwest or California.

The truck is also available for members to measure in their shops on a cost-reimbursable basis.  

The new Ford Ranger—a body-on-frame, Australian-design, midsize truck—is offered in Double, Super and Regular cab body styles. The vehicle being made available to SEMA members is a 4x4 double cab with a 2.5L, five-speed gasoline engine. The vehicle, which SEMA imported from the Middle East, was assembled in South Africa.

Ford Ranger T6 Detroit Measuring Session

Date: May 14, 2013
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: Link Engineering, Dearborn, Michigan
Registration: Sign up online

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or call 202-415-8008.

	SEMA participants at a previous SEMA China program visit the China International Auto Parts Expo. This year, SEMA members—for the first time—will have a chance to exhibit at this show, which is now in its seventh year.

SEMA members are invited to participate in an upcoming trip to explore the market in China and showcase products at one of the largest trade shows in that country—the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE). The expo is the official trade show of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Participants of the 2013 SEMA China Trip will visit off-road and street-performance shops in China, as well as meet with high-ranking U.S. officials in the country. As an additional part of the program, SEMA members can opt to exhibit at the CIAPE. Now in its seventh year, the show is held in the China International Exhibition Center in central Beijing. 

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A private interpreter for each company.
• The opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• The opportunity to showcase products at the CIAPE show.
• An upscale, centrally located hotel.
• Qualified exhibitors will receive a U.S. grant of $1,000 to defray the costs of participation.
• Promote brands to Chinese buyers now through China eNews—a periodic Chinese-language electronic newsletter sent to buyers throughout China.

This popular trip to China sells out each year, so SEMA members are encouraged to register now for one of the remaining slots. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.