Filler for eNews

In a misguided attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, legislation has been introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. The bill was considered in committee on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle.

If this effort is successful, the effects on a consumers’ ability to purchase the vehicle of choice, not to mention vehicle safety, could be impacted.

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

Legislation reintroduced in the New Jersey State Assembly proposes to exempt newer motor vehicles from the state’s mandatory emissions-inspection program. Under the measure, motor vehicles that are five model years old or less would be exempted. For more information, click here.

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

Legislation that would amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their use for pleasure driving one day per week has been introduced in the New Jersey State Assembly. Under current New Jersey law, use of historic vehicles is strictly limited to exhibitions and educational purposes by the owner.

For more information, click here.

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

A version of SEMA-model legislation has been reintroduced in the Tennessee State Senate to create a vehicle registration and titling classification for custom vehicles. The bill defines a custom-built car as a vehicle that is built for private use and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. 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 it most closely resembles.

For more information, click here.

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

For the third time, a bill has been introduced in the West Virginia State Legislature that would further restrict the ability of West Virginia vehicle hobbyists from maintaining inoperable vehicles on private property. The measure would redefine “abandoned motor vehicles” to include vehicles or vehicle parts which are either unlicensed or inoperable, or both, are not in an enclosed building, and have remained on private property for more than 30 days.

Under current law, the abandoned vehicle law applies primarily to vehicles on public property. The bill would make a violation a misdemeanor offense punishable by substantial fines, community service and jail.

For more information, click here.

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

SEMA-model legislation has been introduced in the Utah State Legislature that would exempt certain owners or occupants of land in a municipality from ordinances or land-use regulations that prevent automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby. Junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property would only need to be maintained out of ordinary public view.

For more information, click here.  

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

A version of SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for “show cars” and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was introduced and referred to the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee for consideration.

The bill would permit show cars to be driven up to 5,000 per year and would exempt them from the state’s new enhanced vehicle-inspection program.

For more information, click here.

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

A bill has been introduced in the Vermont State Senate that would implement a vehicle scrappage program and finance it with a progressive purchase and use tax and higher registration fees for some new motor vehicles based on fuel-efficiency ratings. Funds collected under the program would be used dismantle vehicles deemed by the state to be “clunkers,” regardless of their historical value or collector interest. 

If this effort is successful, purchasing the vehicle of your choice could be significantly more costly. Furthermore, this proposed scrappage program could deny hobbyists the availability of vintage cars and parts for restoration projects.

For more information, click here.  

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

The Department of the Environment has issued a proposal to terminate the current exemption from environmental restrictions for leaded gasoline used in competition motor vehicles. If approved, the regulation would require a ban on vehicles using leaded fuel by January 1, 2009, resulting in the likely demise of all international drag racing competition in Canada.

For more information, click here.

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