Legislation that originally sought to provide legal registration to hobby vehicles with a clear title, required safety equipment and in good working order was passed by the Wisconsin Senate and House and now moves to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. Due to opposition from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the bill was amended to now only affect former military vehicles. 

Several pro-hobby provisions of the bill with application to all hobby vehicles were eliminated. While the amended bill does not solve the many problems associated with registering a hobby car in Wisconsin, it does provide incremental improvement to the rules governing former military vehicles and is still worthy of our support. 

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

A bill to provide a cap on property taxes paid by owners of antique and classic motor vehicles was vetoed by Governor Early Ray Tomblin due to a technical issue. The bill had been amended and approved by the West Virginia State Legislature with a new $5,000 assessed value for all of these cars. Previous versions of the bill contained an assessed value provision of $1,000. Generally, the bill vetoed by the governor benefited antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth more than $5,000. However, it would have penalized most antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth less than $5,000. The Legislature chose not to call an additional vote on the bill in an attempt to override the veto. 

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

A bill to provide a cap on property taxes paid by owners of antique and classic motor vehicles was vetoed by Governor Early Ray Tomblin due to a technical issue. The bill had been amended and approved by the West Virginia State Legislature with a new $5,000 assessed value for all of these cars. Previous versions of the bill contained an assessed value provision of $1,000. Generally, the bill vetoed by the governor benefited antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth more than $5,000. However, it would have penalized most antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth less than $5,000. The Legislature chose not to call an additional vote on the bill in an attempt to override the veto. 

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

In 2010, SEMA-supported legislation to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles five model years old or newer was signed into law, subject to approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Previous law only exempted vehicles four model years old or newer. The EPA has now incorporated revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to include the extension of the new vehicle inspection exemption from four years to five years. This action acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of the vehicles targeted for this exemption and that it is senseless to test newer vehicles, the results of which demonstrate no significant air quality benefits.  

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

In 2010, SEMA-supported legislation to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles five model years old or newer was signed into law, subject to approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Previous law only exempted vehicles four model years old or newer. The EPA has now incorporated revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to include the extension of the new vehicle inspection exemption from four years to five years. This action acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of the vehicles targeted for this exemption and that it is senseless to test newer vehicles, the results of which demonstrate no significant air quality benefits.  

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

SEMA is supporting Michigan legislation requiring retail dealers that offer gasoline for sale to label those pumps dispensing ethanol-blended gasoline with a notice that indicates the grade of gasoline and the percentage of ethanol contained. Under current Michigan law, gasoline that contains 10% or less ethanol is not subject to the labeling requirement. The bill provides that a person who violates the labeling requirement is liable for a civil fine up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues.  

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

SEMA is supporting Michigan legislation requiring retail dealers that offer gasoline for sale to label those pumps dispensing ethanol-blended gasoline with a notice that indicates the grade of gasoline and the percentage of ethanol contained. Under current Michigan law, gasoline that contains 10% or less ethanol is not subject to the labeling requirement. The bill provides that a person who violates the labeling requirement is liable for a civil fine up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues.  

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

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.