The SEMA Hall of Fame Luncheon, held each year at the SEMA Show, brings together existing Hall of Fame members and honors the Hall's newest inductees. Submit your nomination for the 2012 class: SEMA Hall of Fame Nominations.

The deadline to submit nominations for the 2012 SEMA Hall of Fame is March 16, 2012. Submit your SEMA Hall of Fame Nominations online. 

Created in 1969, the SEMA Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association. It is designed to honor outstanding persons in the industry who have enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the industry and/or the association's growth.

To learn more about the SEMA Hall of Fame and for a list of inductees, visit www.semahof.com or contact Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or 909-978-6689.

Last year's SEMA Hall of Fame inductees—Art Chrisman, Gray Baskerville, Chris Economaki and John Towle—are all featured in the August issue of SEMA News, and their stories reveal how doing what they love resulted in major contributions that have left indelible positive marks on the specialty-equipment industry.  

	Earl Richey Owen Sr.

Earl Richey Owen Sr. passed away January 14, 2012, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born November 23, 1927, in Whitewright, Texas.

In 1952, he started Earl Owen Co. after working at various downtown upholstery shops. He started with one sewing machine, a table and two parking spaces. Owen's special talent for customer service and natural business savvy propelled his fledgling business. When a customer needed seats covered the next day, Owen would go to the lot, take the seat out of the car, return it to his shop, cover it, take it back to the lot, bolt it down to the vehicle and it would be ready for the fleet the next morning.

As the business grew, Owen became interested in selling auto accessories. Knowing that suppliers were reluctant to sell accessories directly to seat cover shops, Owen contacted the president of Maldevar Mats. After many conversations, Owen finally convinced him to supply rubber floor mats to Earl Owen Co, under the condition that Owen pay him upon delivery. Owen agreed, kept his word and showed other suppliers he could sell the merchandise and pay his bills on time.

Today, Earl Owen Co. is one of the largest suppliers of auto and truck accessories and equipment in the Southwestern United States. Owen attended the SEMA Show in Las Vegas every year and was constantly stopped by people who were eager to learn about him and emulate his success. Despite his achievements, he remained humble, kind and loyal. His favorite hobby was work and he traveled at the urging of his wife. They enjoyed more than 20 cruises and went everywhere from Hawaii to Dubai.

Funeral services were held January 17 at Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas. Donations can be made to Arms of Hope at 21300 State Hwy. 16, North Medina, TX 78055

SEMA is supporting a bill in the Iowa State Legislature to allow any vehicle that is 25 years old or older and used only for exhibition, entertainment or educational purposes to be registered for an annual fee of $5. Under current law, a motor vehicle that is 25 years old or older may be registered as an antique vehicle upon payment of the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle.

Certain vehicles that are 25 years old or older and used only for exhibition, entertainment or educational purposes may be registered as "limited-use" vehicles, subject to a registration fee of $40 for a two-year period. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting a bill in the Iowa State Legislature to allow any vehicle that is 25 years old or older and used only for exhibition, entertainment or educational purposes to be registered for an annual fee of $5. Under current law, a motor vehicle that is 25 years old or older may be registered as an antique vehicle upon payment of the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle.

Certain vehicles that are 25 years old or older and used only for exhibition, entertainment or educational purposes may be registered as "limited-use" vehicles, subject to a registration fee of $40 for a two-year period. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A SEMA-supported bill to exempt restoration and custom shops from the requirement that they provide written estimates for the repair of any vehicle that qualifies for a “horseless carriage” or “collector vehicle” license plate, or is a “parts car,” “street rod” or “custom vehicle,” was approved by the Washington Senate Labor Committee. The measure would allow restoration and custom shops to bill at least every two weeks on a time and materials basis.

Shops would be able to accurately inform customers of actual costs and materials, removing vagueness associated with shops attempting to “guess” probable time for unique tasks and probable costs for unique and, in some cases, yet to be fabricated parts. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Rules Committee. 

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

A SEMA-supported bill to exempt restoration and custom shops from the requirement that they provide written estimates for the repair of any vehicle that qualifies for a “horseless carriage” or “collector vehicle” license plate, or is a “parts car,” “street rod” or “custom vehicle,” was approved by the Washington Senate Labor Committee. The measure would allow restoration and custom shops to bill at least every two weeks on a time and materials basis.

Shops would be able to accurately inform customers of actual costs and materials, removing vagueness associated with shops attempting to “guess” probable time for unique tasks and probable costs for unique and, in some cases, yet to be fabricated parts. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Rules Committee. 

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 was reintroduced in the West Virginia State Legislature. Current West Virginia law only allows a muffler originally installed by the manufacturer or an equivalent. The bill would remove subjective provisions in the law and force compliance with an objectively measured standard. Under the standard, exhaust noise could not exceed a sound reading of 95 decibels under a fair and predictable test. 

More information is available. 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 was reintroduced in the West Virginia State Legislature. Current West Virginia law only allows a muffler originally installed by the manufacturer or an equivalent. The bill would remove subjective provisions in the law and force compliance with an objectively measured standard. Under the standard, exhaust noise could not exceed a sound reading of 95 decibels under a fair and predictable test. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-model legislation that would prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance, development regulation, zoning regulation or administrative practice that prevents legitimate automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby, was approved by the Washington State Senate Government Operations Committee. Under the bill, a limited number of junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property, would only require screening from public view if required by local law. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Rules Committee. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-model legislation that would prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance, development regulation, zoning regulation or administrative practice that prevents legitimate automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby, was approved by the Washington State Senate Government Operations Committee. Under the bill, a limited number of junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property, would only require screening from public view if required by local law. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Rules Committee. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.