By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Under a new Maryland law, as of January 1, 2020, it will be illegal to sell or use wheel weights containing more than 0.1% lead or mercury. The law also requires that any lead and mercury wheel weights removed in the process be properly recycled. Maryland joins seven other states that have already banned lead wheel weights, namely California, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington state.

The automakers no longer use lead weights as original equipment, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a voluntary nationwide initiative in 2008 to stop using lead weights. If the weights fall off tires, lead particles may pose the risk of contaminating surface and ground water supplies. Automakers, tire makers and the aftermarket have turned to three main substitute materials—steel, zinc or composites. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Several bills introduced in Hawaii in 2017 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

Several bills introduced in Hawaii in 2017 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session. Each is eligible for consideration during the 2018 legislative session. Among these bills were legislation to provide that no motor vehicle muffler or exhaust system shall emit a noise level greater than 60 decibels; a series of bills to exempt antique motor vehicles from the state’s vehicle weight tax, reduce the weight tax for all other vehicles and decrease annual registration fees; and legislation to increase annual registration fees, increase the gas tax and increase the motor vehicle weight tax. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Several bills introduced in Hawaii in 2017 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

Several bills introduced in Hawaii in 2017 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session. Each is eligible for consideration during the 2018 legislative session. Among these bills were legislation to provide that no motor vehicle muffler or exhaust system shall emit a noise level greater than 60 decibels; a series of bills to exempt antique motor vehicles from the state’s vehicle weight tax, reduce the weight tax for all other vehicles and decrease annual registration fees; and legislation to increase annual registration fees, increase the gas tax and increase the motor vehicle weight tax. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Several bills introduced in Hawaii in 2017 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

Several bills introduced in Hawaii in 2017 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session. Each is eligible for consideration during the 2018 legislative session. Among these bills were legislation to provide that no motor vehicle muffler or exhaust system shall emit a noise level greater than 60 decibels; a series of bills to exempt antique motor vehicles from the state’s vehicle weight tax, reduce the weight tax for all other vehicles and decrease annual registration fees; and legislation to increase annual registration fees, increase the gas tax and increase the motor vehicle weight tax. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee passed two bills to make it easier for congress to prevent overly burdensome regulations from becoming law and three other bills intended to make the regulatory process more cost-effective and small-business friendly. The committee passed “Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act,” which would require congress to approve regulations that have a $100 million impact or greater on the economy before they can take effect, and the “Midnight Rules Relief Act,” which would make it easier for congress to overturn last-minute regulations issued by an outgoing president. Under current law, congress can repeal a regulation issued within the last 60 legislative days by passing a resolution with a simple majority of votes and the president’s signature. The “Midnight Rules” bill allows one resolution to cover multiple regulations.

The committee also passed the “Regulatory Accountability Act,” which requires federal agencies to calculate the costs and benefits of new regulations and factor in both to determine the most cost-effective option, and the “Early Participation in Regulations Act,” which requires federal agencies to provide at least 90 days advanced notice prior to publishing a proposed rulemaking. Finally, the committee approved the “Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act,” which would eliminate loopholes that have reduced the effectiveness of the 1980 law that has provided small businesses a greater voice within the regulatory process. Each of the five bills will require 60 votes for passage by the U.S. Senate. The REINS Act and Midnight Rules have already been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee passed two bills to make it easier for congress to prevent overly burdensome regulations from becoming law and three other bills intended to make the regulatory process more cost-effective and small-business friendly. The committee passed “Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act,” which would require congress to approve regulations that have a $100 million impact or greater on the economy before they can take effect, and the “Midnight Rules Relief Act,” which would make it easier for congress to overturn last-minute regulations issued by an outgoing president. Under current law, congress can repeal a regulation issued within the last 60 legislative days by passing a resolution with a simple majority of votes and the president’s signature. The “Midnight Rules” bill allows one resolution to cover multiple regulations.

The committee also passed the “Regulatory Accountability Act,” which requires federal agencies to calculate the costs and benefits of new regulations and factor in both to determine the most cost-effective option, and the “Early Participation in Regulations Act,” which requires federal agencies to provide at least 90 days advanced notice prior to publishing a proposed rulemaking. Finally, the committee approved the “Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act,” which would eliminate loopholes that have reduced the effectiveness of the 1980 law that has provided small businesses a greater voice within the regulatory process. Each of the five bills will require 60 votes for passage by the U.S. Senate. The REINS Act and Midnight Rules have already been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee passed two bills to make it easier for congress to prevent overly burdensome regulations from becoming law and three other bills intended to make the regulatory process more cost-effective and small-business friendly. The committee passed “Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act,” which would require congress to approve regulations that have a $100 million impact or greater on the economy before they can take effect, and the “Midnight Rules Relief Act,” which would make it easier for congress to overturn last-minute regulations issued by an outgoing president. Under current law, congress can repeal a regulation issued within the last 60 legislative days by passing a resolution with a simple majority of votes and the president’s signature. The “Midnight Rules” bill allows one resolution to cover multiple regulations.

The committee also passed the “Regulatory Accountability Act,” which requires federal agencies to calculate the costs and benefits of new regulations and factor in both to determine the most cost-effective option, and the “Early Participation in Regulations Act,” which requires federal agencies to provide at least 90 days advanced notice prior to publishing a proposed rulemaking. Finally, the committee approved the “Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act,” which would eliminate loopholes that have reduced the effectiveness of the 1980 law that has provided small businesses a greater voice within the regulatory process. Each of the five bills will require 60 votes for passage by the U.S. Senate. The REINS Act and Midnight Rules have already been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA Chairman Doug Evans (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right) honor Congressional Automotive Performance and Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) [second from right] and U.S. Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) [second from left] at the 2017 SEMA Washington Rally.

More than 115 SEMA representatives from across the country joined the 2017 Washington Rally in our nation’s capital Wednesday, May 17. This record number of Rally participants took to the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. A top focus during the Rally was the RPM Act, a bipartisan bill that, if passed, would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete.

The RPM Act now has 118 co-sponsors in the House and 29 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also talked to their lawmakers about other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including countering burdensome regulations, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and fighting counterfeit products. The Rally raises SEMA’s profile on Capitol Hill and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.

Couldn’t make it to the Rally this year? You can still let Congress hear your voice. Urge your lawmakers to pass the bipartisan RPM Act today!

See more of the Rally’s action on SEMA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using the hashtags #SaveOurRacecars and #SEMARally2017.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA Chairman Doug Evans (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right) honor Congressional Automotive Performance and Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) [second from right] and U.S. Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) [second from left] at the 2017 SEMA Washington Rally.

More than 115 SEMA representatives from across the country joined the 2017 Washington Rally in our nation’s capital Wednesday, May 17. This record number of Rally participants took to the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. A top focus during the Rally was the RPM Act, a bipartisan bill that, if passed, would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete.

The RPM Act now has 118 co-sponsors in the House and 29 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also talked to their lawmakers about other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including countering burdensome regulations, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and fighting counterfeit products. The Rally raises SEMA’s profile on Capitol Hill and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.

Couldn’t make it to the Rally this year? You can still let Congress hear your voice. Urge your lawmakers to pass the bipartisan RPM Act today!

See more of the Rally’s action on SEMA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using the hashtags #SaveOurRacecars and #SEMARally2017.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA Chairman Doug Evans (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right) honor Congressional Automotive Performance and Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) [second from right] and U.S. Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) [second from left] at the 2017 SEMA Washington Rally.

More than 115 SEMA representatives from across the country joined the 2017 Washington Rally in our nation’s capital Wednesday, May 17. This record number of Rally participants took to the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. A top focus during the Rally was the RPM Act, a bipartisan bill that, if passed, would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete.

The RPM Act now has 118 co-sponsors in the House and 29 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also talked to their lawmakers about other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including countering burdensome regulations, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and fighting counterfeit products. The Rally raises SEMA’s profile on Capitol Hill and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.

Couldn’t make it to the Rally this year? You can still let Congress hear your voice. Urge your lawmakers to pass the bipartisan RPM Act today!

See more of the Rally’s action on SEMA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using the hashtags #SaveOurRacecars and #SEMARally2017.