By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Maryland legislation to require the issuance of a single motor vehicle license plate died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill, favored by state hobbyists, required that the single registration plate be attached on the front of tractors and on the rear of all other vehicles. A second bill to allow the front plate to be stored inside the vehicle if the vehicle was manufactured without a means to secure and display a front plate also died. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Maryland legislation to require the issuance of a single motor vehicle license plate died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill, favored by state hobbyists, required that the single registration plate be attached on the front of tractors and on the rear of all other vehicles. A second bill to allow the front plate to be stored inside the vehicle if the vehicle was manufactured without a means to secure and display a front plate also died. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

After being approved by the Joint Committee on Planning and Development by a narrow 10–9 vote, legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” or “modified antique motor vehicles” will be considered by the Connecticut House of Representatives in a vote by all members. Under the bill, vehicles seeking registration as antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles or as modified antique motor vehicles would be required to be at least 30 years old. Currently, vehicles 20 years old or older are eligible for this status and special license plates. For the purpose of property taxes, the bill also increases the maximum assessment of these vehicles from $500 to $2,500. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

After being approved by the Joint Committee on Planning and Development by a narrow 10–9 vote, legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” or “modified antique motor vehicles” will be considered by the Connecticut House of Representatives in a vote by all members. Under the bill, vehicles seeking registration as antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles or as modified antique motor vehicles would be required to be at least 30 years old. Currently, vehicles 20 years old or older are eligible for this status and special license plates. For the purpose of property taxes, the bill also increases the maximum assessment of these vehicles from $500 to $2,500. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

After being approved by the Joint Committee on Planning and Development by a narrow 10–9 vote, legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” or “modified antique motor vehicles” will be considered by the Connecticut House of Representatives in a vote by all members. Under the bill, vehicles seeking registration as antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles or as modified antique motor vehicles would be required to be at least 30 years old. Currently, vehicles 20 years old or older are eligible for this status and special license plates. For the purpose of property taxes, the bill also increases the maximum assessment of these vehicles from $500 to $2,500. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to extend the new car emissions inspection exemption from four to seven model years has been introduced in the Colorado Senate. Under the bill, the state is also directed to adopt rules that allow for the use of on-board diagnostic testing equipment. An attempt to extend the exemption to vehicles that have not yet reached their 10th model year was not approved in committee earlier this year. 

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 

SEMA-supported legislation to extend the new car emissions inspection exemption from four to seven model years has been introduced in the Colorado Senate. Under the bill, the state is also directed to adopt rules that allow for the use of on-board diagnostic testing equipment. An attempt to extend the exemption to vehicles that have not yet reached their 10th model year was not approved in committee earlier this year. 

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 

SEMA-supported legislation to extend the new car emissions inspection exemption from four to seven model years has been introduced in the Colorado Senate. Under the bill, the state is also directed to adopt rules that allow for the use of on-board diagnostic testing equipment. An attempt to extend the exemption to vehicles that have not yet reached their 10th model year was not approved in committee earlier this year. 

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 version of SEMA-model legislation to prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance that prevents automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby was denied further consideration by the House Local Government Committee after initial review. The bill had been substantially amended and passed by the Washington State Senate before being sent to the House. Under the original bill, inoperable vehicles stored on private property would only have required screening from public view. Six or fewer 30-year-old and older vehicles, including one parts car, would have been permitted for hobby vehicle restoration. 

Under the amended bill, however, private restorers would have been limited to only three 30-year-old and older vehicles that are being actively restored. The amended bill also placed the burden of proving compliance on the property owner by “preponderance of the evidence.” SEMA did not support the amended bill, but looks forward to the opportunity to work with lawmakers in 2014 to craft legislation beneficial to the automobile hobby. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

A version of SEMA-model legislation to prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance that prevents automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby was denied further consideration by the House Local Government Committee after initial review. The bill had been substantially amended and passed by the Washington State Senate before being sent to the House. Under the original bill, inoperable vehicles stored on private property would only have required screening from public view. Six or fewer 30-year-old and older vehicles, including one parts car, would have been permitted for hobby vehicle restoration. 

Under the amended bill, however, private restorers would have been limited to only three 30-year-old and older vehicles that are being actively restored. The amended bill also placed the burden of proving compliance on the property owner by “preponderance of the evidence.” SEMA did not support the amended bill, but looks forward to the opportunity to work with lawmakers in 2014 to craft legislation beneficial to the automobile hobby. 

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