By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (E.O.) that directs the federal departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury to take action to increase healthcare competition and choice. The E.O. is a first step intended to offer employers with more options when providing health coverage and expand the types of plans available by eliminating some requirements mandated under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is more commonly known as Obamacare. The changes are not immediate since agencies must first issue corresponding regulations. President Trump’s order directs the agencies to:

• Expand association health plans (AHPs). These plans allow employers and individuals who are part of a common group (such as a trade association) to join together to offer healthcare in a single plan. The E.O. seeks to expand the availability of AHPs and allow these plans to comprise groups and individuals across state lines.

• Expand short-term limited duration plans. These plans have traditionally provided health insurance for individuals transitioning from one insurance plan to another. They are not subject to the same requirements as individual health insurance coverage for the purposes of the ACA rules. The length of time individuals can stay on such plans would be expanded from the current three months’ limitation.

• Expand the rules for health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). Allow health care premiums to be paid through HRAs, along with other changes. Under existing rules, most HRAs cannot be used to reimburse premiums for individual health insurance plans (although there is an exception to this for certain types of small business HRAs). 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (E.O.) that directs the federal departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury to take action to increase healthcare competition and choice. The E.O. is a first step intended to offer employers with more options when providing health coverage and expand the types of plans available by eliminating some requirements mandated under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is more commonly known as Obamacare. The changes are not immediate since agencies must first issue corresponding regulations. President Trump’s order directs the agencies to:

• Expand association health plans (AHPs). These plans allow employers and individuals who are part of a common group (such as a trade association) to join together to offer healthcare in a single plan. The E.O. seeks to expand the availability of AHPs and allow these plans to comprise groups and individuals across state lines.

• Expand short-term limited duration plans. These plans have traditionally provided health insurance for individuals transitioning from one insurance plan to another. They are not subject to the same requirements as individual health insurance coverage for the purposes of the ACA rules. The length of time individuals can stay on such plans would be expanded from the current three months’ limitation.

• Expand the rules for health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). Allow health care premiums to be paid through HRAs, along with other changes. Under existing rules, most HRAs cannot be used to reimburse premiums for individual health insurance plans (although there is an exception to this for certain types of small business HRAs). 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Save the Salt booth in the Central Hall (booth #24099) of the 2017 SEMA Show will feature the Turbinator II, which ran 435.875 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, September 17.

Visit the Save the Salt booth in the Central Hall (booth #24099) of the 2017 SEMA Show to see the Turbinator II, which ran 435.875 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, September 17. Attendees will be able to view the machine and ask questions about a vehicle that is challenging land-speed records.   

The Salt Flats possess rare physical qualities that has made it a perfect land-speed racing venue since 1914. SEMA, along with other organizations and companies comprising the Save the Salt Coalition, are working closely with federal and state government officials and the adjoining potash mine owner to restore Bonneville. Since 1997, the racing community has worked to return salt each year, but it is a long-term project. 

For more information, visit www.savethesalt.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Save the Salt booth in the Central Hall (booth #24099) of the 2017 SEMA Show will feature the Turbinator II, which ran 435.875 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, September 17.

Visit the Save the Salt booth in the Central Hall (booth #24099) of the 2017 SEMA Show to see the Turbinator II, which ran 435.875 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, September 17. Attendees will be able to view the machine and ask questions about a vehicle that is challenging land-speed records.   

The Salt Flats possess rare physical qualities that has made it a perfect land-speed racing venue since 1914. SEMA, along with other organizations and companies comprising the Save the Salt Coalition, are working closely with federal and state government officials and the adjoining potash mine owner to restore Bonneville. Since 1997, the racing community has worked to return salt each year, but it is a long-term project. 

For more information, visit www.savethesalt.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Save the Salt booth in the Central Hall (booth #24099) of the 2017 SEMA Show will feature the Turbinator II, which ran 435.875 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, September 17.

Visit the Save the Salt booth in the Central Hall (booth #24099) of the 2017 SEMA Show to see the Turbinator II, which ran 435.875 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, September 17. Attendees will be able to view the machine and ask questions about a vehicle that is challenging land-speed records.   

The Salt Flats possess rare physical qualities that has made it a perfect land-speed racing venue since 1914. SEMA, along with other organizations and companies comprising the Save the Salt Coalition, are working closely with federal and state government officials and the adjoining potash mine owner to restore Bonneville. Since 1997, the racing community has worked to return salt each year, but it is a long-term project. 

For more information, visit www.savethesalt.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA’s Government Affairs office is bringing together a collection of legal experts to help businesses navigate several of today’s most pressing issues. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions on the following topics:

• California Proposition 65 Product Labeling
• Design Copyrights
• Minimum Advertising Pricing (MAP) Policies
• Exporting
• Product Liability

When: Thursday, November 2, 2017
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N263C
Time: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to ask the experts. For more information, contact Daniel Ingber at danieli@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA’s Government Affairs office is bringing together a collection of legal experts to help businesses navigate several of today’s most pressing issues. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions on the following topics:

• California Proposition 65 Product Labeling
• Design Copyrights
• Minimum Advertising Pricing (MAP) Policies
• Exporting
• Product Liability

When: Thursday, November 2, 2017
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N263C
Time: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to ask the experts. For more information, contact Daniel Ingber at danieli@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA’s Government Affairs office is bringing together a collection of legal experts to help businesses navigate several of today’s most pressing issues. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions on the following topics:

• California Proposition 65 Product Labeling
• Design Copyrights
• Minimum Advertising Pricing (MAP) Policies
• Exporting
• Product Liability

When: Thursday, November 2, 2017
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N263C
Time: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to ask the experts. For more information, contact Daniel Ingber at danieli@sema.org.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

By Juan Torres

Zach Johanson won the Young Guns category with his ’70 Camaro at the Goodguys West Coast Nationals in late August, which also awarded him an all-expenses-paid trip to the SEMA Show to participate in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

While growing up a car aficionado and builder in Hayward, California, Zach Johanson hoped to one day attend the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and he will finally get the opportunity as a participant in one of the industry’s most prestigious vehicle-build competitions—SEMA Battle of the Builders—which will be held during the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3.

“I’ve only seen the SEMA Show through coverage in social media, TV and magazines, so I’m very excited to finally experience it,” said Johanson. “Everyone says it’s like being a kid in a candy store, except this is for car guys.”

To earn a spot in this year's SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, the 22-year-old won the Young Guns category with his ’70 Camaro at the Goodguys West Coast Nationals in late August, which also awarded him an all-expenses-paid trip to the SEMA Show to participate in the competition.

“It was surprising to win and amazing to realize that I’m now heading to the SEMA Show,” said Johanson. “I entered the Goodguys event just to see how it would go, to experience it, not necessarily thinking I could win the Young Guns category.”

His winning Camaro is a project car that had humble beginnings, but eventually turned into a standout build.

“I purchased the car from my dad’s boss. It was sitting in the backyard, and I paid $500 for the shell,” said Johanson. “I bought it to try new things out, and I figured if I did something I didn’t like, well at least I didn’t pay too much for it. I started off little by little by changing the suspension and other things, but it eventually turned into a pro-touring build.”

In an effort to support young builders and recognize them as the future of the industry, SEMA created the Young Guns regional program this year and partnered with car shows to highlight builders 27 years old or younger, six of whom will be sent to the 2017 SEMA Show.

“We partnered with Goodguys because of their dynamic events, including the West Coast Nationals, and to recognize and encourage participation of young builders throughout the country,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing, PR and Communications Ira Gabriel. “The youth are essential to our industry, and there are many talented younger vehicle builders who can look to the SEMA Show and Battle of the Builders and get excited about our industry.”

Johanson is now anxiously waiting the day when he and his Camaro will take their place in the Las Vegas Convention Center premises as SEMA Show participants.

“Thanks to SEMA, I will not only have the opportunity to finally experience the SEMA Show first-hand and speak to the companies who make the parts I used in the car, but also get my name out there a bit,” said Johanson. “I’m just a younger builder going up against big names with more experience, and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the competition and talk to the other builders.”

Learn more about SEMA Battle of the Builders by visiting www.sema.org/botb. For more information on Goodguys and the West Coast Nationals, visit www.good-guys.com.