SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles was approved unanimously by the Washington State Senate Transportation Committee. 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. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a vote by the full body. 

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

The Senate Natural Resources and Transportation Committee passed SEMA-supported legislation to exempt all vehicles 25 years old and older from the state’s mandatory biennial emissions inspection and maintenance program. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Rules Committee before making its way to the floor for a vote by the full body. Existing law in Arizona only exempts pre-’67 model-year vehicles and those vehicles designated as “collectible.”

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

The Senate Natural Resources and Transportation Committee passed SEMA-supported legislation to exempt all vehicles 25 years old and older from the state’s mandatory biennial emissions inspection and maintenance program. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Rules Committee before making its way to the floor for a vote by the full body. Existing law in Arizona only exempts pre-’67 model-year vehicles and those vehicles designated as “collectible.”

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

SEMA-opposed legislation to ban the installation, ownership or use of any car with aftermarket speakers more than 6.5 inches in height or depth, any five-speaker aftermarket system, any aftermarket speaker more than 100 watts and any aftermarket speaker installed external to the passenger compartment or in an open hatchback will not be considered in the Hawaii legislature this year.

The measure was discriminatory toward aftermarket products, as it did not seek to limit systems installed by the original vehicle manufacturer or dealer. If enacted, the bill would have denied hobbyists the opportunity to purchase and install a range of aftermarket alternatives to original-equipment stereos. Following a hearing on the bill in the House Transportation Committee, the measure was deferred.

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

SEMA-opposed legislation to ban the installation, ownership or use of any car with aftermarket speakers more than 6.5 inches in height or depth, any five-speaker aftermarket system, any aftermarket speaker more than 100 watts and any aftermarket speaker installed external to the passenger compartment or in an open hatchback will not be considered in the Hawaii legislature this year.

The measure was discriminatory toward aftermarket products, as it did not seek to limit systems installed by the original vehicle manufacturer or dealer. If enacted, the bill would have denied hobbyists the opportunity to purchase and install a range of aftermarket alternatives to original-equipment stereos. Following a hearing on the bill in the House Transportation Committee, the measure was deferred.

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

SEMA-supported legislation to allow vehicles 30 years old and older to be classified as “vintage vehicles” was approved by the Utah House of Representatives. Currently, Utah reserves the “vintage vehicle” class only to vehicles 40 years old and older. Under the bill, “vintage vehicles” 30–40 years old would be charged a $45 annual registration fee. When the vehicle reaches 40 years old, the registrant would pay a one-time $40 fee. Vintage vehicles are exempted from annual emissions and safety inspections. The bill now moves to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration. Utah exempts vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 from emissions inspections. Vehicles manufactured after that date must be registered as “vintage vehicles” or “customs” to qualify for this exemption.

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

SEMA-supported legislation to allow vehicles 30 years old and older to be classified as “vintage vehicles” was approved by the Utah House of Representatives. Currently, Utah reserves the “vintage vehicle” class only to vehicles 40 years old and older. Under the bill, “vintage vehicles” 30–40 years old would be charged a $45 annual registration fee. When the vehicle reaches 40 years old, the registrant would pay a one-time $40 fee. Vintage vehicles are exempted from annual emissions and safety inspections. The bill now moves to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration. Utah exempts vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 from emissions inspections. Vehicles manufactured after that date must be registered as “vintage vehicles” or “customs” to qualify for this exemption.

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

A bill (H.B. 3214) to ban the sale of certain new motor-vehicle exhaust systems or exhaust system components that cause motor vehicles to produce noise that exceeds noise limits has been introduced by Oregon State Representative Phil Barnhart.

Under the bill, noise limits would be specified in rules adopted by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). However, in 1991, the DEQ terminated its noise-control program. The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee for consideration. Among other things, the bill would prohibit the sale of these exhaust systems in Oregon and the sale of these systems by an Oregon-based business to an out-of-state customer; provides no clear standard to enforce, and refers to DEQ noise standards that are not currently in use; and makes no accommodation for SEMA-model legislation to allow vehicle hobbyists to buy and install aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test.

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

A bill (H.B. 3214) to ban the sale of certain new motor-vehicle exhaust systems or exhaust system components that cause motor vehicles to produce noise that exceeds noise limits has been introduced by Oregon State Representative Phil Barnhart.

Under the bill, noise limits would be specified in rules adopted by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). However, in 1991, the DEQ terminated its noise-control program. The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee for consideration. Among other things, the bill would prohibit the sale of these exhaust systems in Oregon and the sale of these systems by an Oregon-based business to an out-of-state customer; provides no clear standard to enforce, and refers to DEQ noise standards that are not currently in use; and makes no accommodation for SEMA-model legislation to allow vehicle hobbyists to buy and install aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test.

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

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a provision to prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using agency funds to permit an increase in the amount of ethanol content in gasoline to 15% (E15). The provision is part of a larger bill to fund the federal government during fiscal year 2011, which must also be approved by the U.S. Senate. SEMA requested this action and worked hard to secure the final vote. When signed into law by President Obama, this timely legislation will protect automotive enthusiasts and consumers from misfueling and other unnecessary harm.

SEMA applauds the House of Representatives for acknowledging the need for more unbiased and independent testing on the impact of E15 on vehicles and engines. The provision suspends EPA’s premature efforts to permit E15 in the marketplace in fiscal year 2011. SEMA also supports a newly introduced bill (H.R. 748) to repeal the EPA E15 program altogether.

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski, SEMA congressional affairs manager, at dans@sema.org.