Everyone agrees that taking strides toward keeping our planet healthy is a noble cause, but how should the burden be shared? Clean air is a national concern addressed by the EPA, but laws governing smog checks, such as which vehicles are tested and how often they are tested, are handled at the state and local level. Maybe a daily driver needs an inspection every two years or so, but what about an infrequently driven collector car? Are the laws different for 3/4- or 1-ton trucks? And what if that truck is a diesel? SEMA Action Network (SAN) helps you and your customers keep track of smog-check requirements in each state and the laws that exempt certain specialty vehicles.  

To view a full list of emissions-inspection programs and exemptions by state, click here. For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.  

SEMA-supported legislation to exempt vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s annual emissions-inspection and maintenance program will be considered by the Tennessee House Conservation and Environment Committee. To qualify for the exemption, these vehicles must be registered as “antique motor vehicles.” Existing law only exempts vehicles manufactured before the ’75 model year from emissions inspection. Currently, annual emissions inspections must be passed prior to registration and renewal in the counties of Hamilton, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson and in the city of Memphis.   

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to exempt vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s annual emissions-inspection and maintenance program will be considered by the Tennessee House Conservation and Environment Committee. To qualify for the exemption, these vehicles must be registered as “antique motor vehicles.” Existing law only exempts vehicles manufactured before the ’75 model year from emissions inspection. Currently, annual emissions inspections must be passed prior to registration and renewal in the counties of Hamilton, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson and in the city of Memphis.   

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique-vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year, from April 1 through October 31, has been approved by the Illinois House Transportation Committee. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months, from November 1 through March 31. Regular antique-vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer operating their vehicle on a limited-use-only basis year-round. The bill will next be considered by the full Illinois House of Representatives. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique-vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year, from April 1 through October 31, has been approved by the Illinois House Transportation Committee. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months, from November 1 through March 31. Regular antique-vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer operating their vehicle on a limited-use-only basis year-round. The bill will next be considered by the full Illinois House of Representatives. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-opposed legislation to change labeling requirements on gas pumps across the state so that labeling is only required when gasoline contains 11% or more alcohol has been introduced in Nebraska. A previous version of the bill eliminated labeling requirements all together. Current law in Nebraska requires labeling when gasoline contains 1% or more alcohol, including labels for pumps dispensing E10. If enacted, the bill would make it impossible for enthusiasts to know whether the gasoline they put into their vehicles contains any ethanol, increasing the chances of misfueling and engine damage. The bill has been approved by the Agriculture Committee and is pending on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-opposed legislation to change labeling requirements on gas pumps across the state so that labeling is only required when gasoline contains 11% or more alcohol has been introduced in Nebraska. A previous version of the bill eliminated labeling requirements all together. Current law in Nebraska requires labeling when gasoline contains 1% or more alcohol, including labels for pumps dispensing E10. If enacted, the bill would make it impossible for enthusiasts to know whether the gasoline they put into their vehicles contains any ethanol, increasing the chances of misfueling and engine damage. The bill has been approved by the Agriculture Committee and is pending on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

At the insistence of SEMA, the sponsor of legislation that would have banned the sale of certain new motor-vehicle exhaust systems has decided to withdraw the measure from further consideration. The bill would have prohibited the sale of exhaust systems and exhaust-system components that cause motor vehicles to produce noise exceeding certain noise limits. Under the bill, noise limits specified in rules adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) would have been used to determine which systems would be permitted or banned. However, in 1991, the EQC terminated its noise-control program and no noise testing procedure is currently in place. The bill would have led to significant confusion regarding compliance and enforcement. The sponsor also indicated that he may be seeking SEMA’s assistance in the future to create legislation that would allow the sale and use of aftermarket exhaust systems capable of meeting a reasonable and objective test standard. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

At the insistence of SEMA, the sponsor of legislation that would have banned the sale of certain new motor-vehicle exhaust systems has decided to withdraw the measure from further consideration. The bill would have prohibited the sale of exhaust systems and exhaust-system components that cause motor vehicles to produce noise exceeding certain noise limits. Under the bill, noise limits specified in rules adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) would have been used to determine which systems would be permitted or banned. However, in 1991, the EQC terminated its noise-control program and no noise testing procedure is currently in place. The bill would have led to significant confusion regarding compliance and enforcement. The sponsor also indicated that he may be seeking SEMA’s assistance in the future to create legislation that would allow the sale and use of aftermarket exhaust systems capable of meeting a reasonable and objective test standard. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

The all-new ’12 Hyundai Veloster three-door compact coupe will be featured at SEMA's next measuring session April 12, 2011, from 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. at Hyundai Motor America – Service Center in Fountain Valley, California.

Attendance is by pre-registration only. Sessions will be limited to 60 minutes, no more than three companies at one time and two persons per company. Registration deadline is Friday, April 8. E-mail response with name(s), company name, address, phone number with reference to Hyundai at: measuringsession@sema.org.

Send questions to Bill Wolf, 909/978-6739 or Kelly Clancy, 909/978-6735.