SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles has been reintroduced in the New York State Assembly. Introduced by Assemblyman Bill Reilich, the bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. An identical bill has been introduced in the New York State Senate.

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

SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles has been reintroduced in the New York State Assembly. Introduced by Assemblyman Bill Reilich, the bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. An identical bill has been introduced in the New York State Senate.

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

Identical bills in the West Virginia Legislature to provide owners of antique motor vehicles with a fair and equitable personal property tax assessment have been introduced and referred to the House Roads and Transportation Committee. The bills seek to address recent unfair valuation practices, which have negatively impacted many West Virginia hobbyists. West Virginia law defines an "antique motor vehicle" as any motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old and is owned solely as a collector's item. Both measures provide that for the purposes of the property tax, the assessed value of an antique vehicle cannot exceed $200.

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

Identical bills in the West Virginia Legislature to provide owners of antique motor vehicles with a fair and equitable personal property tax assessment have been introduced and referred to the House Roads and Transportation Committee. The bills seek to address recent unfair valuation practices, which have negatively impacted many West Virginia hobbyists. West Virginia law defines an "antique motor vehicle" as any motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old and is owned solely as a collector's item. Both measures provide that for the purposes of the property tax, the assessed value of an antique vehicle cannot exceed $200.

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

SEMA-model legislation that would allow West Virginia’s vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test was introduced in the West Virginia State Legislature by Delegate Gary Howell. Current West Virginia law only allows a muffler originally installed by the manufacturer or an equivalent. Among other things, the bill would remedy the enforcement policy currently used by police officers in which nearly all exhaust system modifications are considered illegal, even where noise levels are not excessive or unusual.

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

SEMA-model legislation that would allow West Virginia’s vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test was introduced in the West Virginia State Legislature by Delegate Gary Howell. Current West Virginia law only allows a muffler originally installed by the manufacturer or an equivalent. Among other things, the bill would remedy the enforcement policy currently used by police officers in which nearly all exhaust system modifications are considered illegal, even where noise levels are not excessive or unusual.

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

SEMA-opposed legislation to require annual renewal fees for collector vehicle and horseless carriage license plates will not receive committee consideration this year. Under the bill, the initial $35 license plate fee for these vehicles would have remained and a new annual $30 renewal fee would have been added. Under Washington law, a collector vehicle is any motor vehicle that is more than 30 years old, while a horseless carriage is defined as a vehicle that is more than 40 years old. House Transportation Committee Chair Judy Clibborn indicated that the legislation was introduced in response to a concern regarding possible abuse of people using their collector cars on a daily basis and avoiding fees.

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

SEMA-opposed legislation to require annual renewal fees for collector vehicle and horseless carriage license plates will not receive committee consideration this year. Under the bill, the initial $35 license plate fee for these vehicles would have remained and a new annual $30 renewal fee would have been added. Under Washington law, a collector vehicle is any motor vehicle that is more than 30 years old, while a horseless carriage is defined as a vehicle that is more than 40 years old. House Transportation Committee Chair Judy Clibborn indicated that the legislation was introduced in response to a concern regarding possible abuse of people using their collector cars on a daily basis and avoiding fees.

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

	The second annual conference will include presentations covering an array of product categories, including built-in and spoiler sunroofs, mobile electronics, leather interiors, graphics, wraps, paint protection film, chrome accessories, spray-on bedliners, stainless steel accessories, towing equipment, shaker hood systems, spoilers and more.

Heads up, restylers, installers and truck-accessory retailers. Want to improve your and your employees’ technical proficiency? Looking to diversify your business and learn about new products and new installation techniques? Interested in discovering innovative ways to grow your customer base and your profits? Then plan on attending the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)-sponsored Technical Skills & Training Conference (TSTC), Monday, March 28, at WyoTech Blairsville in Blairsville, Pennsylvania.

The second annual conference will feature a series of hands-on training workshops held throughout the day. The workshops will be presented by 12 PRO-member accessory manufacturers. The presentations will cover an array of product categories, including built-in and spoiler sunroofs, mobile electronics, leather interiors, graphics, wraps, paint protection film, chrome accessories, spray-on bedliners, stainless steel accessories, towing equipment, shaker hood systems, spoilers and more.

The TSTC agenda also includes a sales-training workshop geared toward business owners, which will offer valuable tips on selling dealer-direct. A PRO general membership meeting, open to all attendees, and an evening cocktail reception will conclude the day-long program.

The manufacturer roster includes Artlux, Cequent Performance Products, Classic Design Concepts, Eagle Enterprises, Innovative Creations, Katzkin Leather, Restylers’ Choice, Roadwire, Rosen Entertainment, Signature Automotive Products, 3M and Webasto Product North America. Future issues of SEMA eNews will periodically feature highlights of various manufacturer-hosted workshops. This week, the spotlight is on Restylers’ Choice and Webasto Product North America.

During its sessions, entitled, “You Can Do it All!,” Restylers’ Choice will provide step-by-step training on how to install a full wrap on a pickup. Company trainers will also demonstrate how to upfit a car with stripes, graphics, a painted spoiler, chrome accessories, color-keyed body-side moldings as well as a paint protection kit.

Webasto will utilize its workshops to demonstrate complete installation techniques for electric spoiler sunroofs. The training will cover all aspects, from determining proper application, prepping the vehicle, and marking and cutting the aperture as well as product fit, interior modifications for proper finish, electrical systems integration, customer delivery, and proper service and maintenance techniques.

For complete information on the 2011 Technical Skills & Training Conference, including the attendee registration form and a list of area hotels, go to www.sema.org/tstc.

	The second annual conference will include presentations covering an array of product categories, including built-in and spoiler sunroofs, mobile electronics, leather interiors, graphics, wraps, paint protection film, chrome accessories, spray-on bedliners, stainless steel accessories, towing equipment, shaker hood systems, spoilers and more.

Heads up, restylers, installers and truck-accessory retailers. Want to improve your and your employees’ technical proficiency? Looking to diversify your business and learn about new products and new installation techniques? Interested in discovering innovative ways to grow your customer base and your profits? Then plan on attending the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)-sponsored Technical Skills & Training Conference (TSTC), Monday, March 28, at WyoTech Blairsville in Blairsville, Pennsylvania.

The second annual conference will feature a series of hands-on training workshops held throughout the day. The workshops will be presented by 12 PRO-member accessory manufacturers. The presentations will cover an array of product categories, including built-in and spoiler sunroofs, mobile electronics, leather interiors, graphics, wraps, paint protection film, chrome accessories, spray-on bedliners, stainless steel accessories, towing equipment, shaker hood systems, spoilers and more.

The TSTC agenda also includes a sales-training workshop geared toward business owners, which will offer valuable tips on selling dealer-direct. A PRO general membership meeting, open to all attendees, and an evening cocktail reception will conclude the day-long program.

The manufacturer roster includes Artlux, Cequent Performance Products, Classic Design Concepts, Eagle Enterprises, Innovative Creations, Katzkin Leather, Restylers’ Choice, Roadwire, Rosen Entertainment, Signature Automotive Products, 3M and Webasto Product North America. Future issues of SEMA eNews will periodically feature highlights of various manufacturer-hosted workshops. This week, the spotlight is on Restylers’ Choice and Webasto Product North America.

During its sessions, entitled, “You Can Do it All!,” Restylers’ Choice will provide step-by-step training on how to install a full wrap on a pickup. Company trainers will also demonstrate how to upfit a car with stripes, graphics, a painted spoiler, chrome accessories, color-keyed body-side moldings as well as a paint protection kit.

Webasto will utilize its workshops to demonstrate complete installation techniques for electric spoiler sunroofs. The training will cover all aspects, from determining proper application, prepping the vehicle, and marking and cutting the aperture as well as product fit, interior modifications for proper finish, electrical systems integration, customer delivery, and proper service and maintenance techniques.

For complete information on the 2011 Technical Skills & Training Conference, including the attendee registration form and a list of area hotels, go to www.sema.org/tstc.