By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA-supported legislation directing the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study on requirements for recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) proposed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was passed by the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and awaits a vote before the full Senate. A U.S. House subcommittee also reviewed the bill and is expected to pass it in the coming weeks. ROVs generally accommodate a side-by-side driver/passenger in a compartment equipped with roll bars and can attain speeds greater than 30 mph.

The legislation would postpone further action on the CPSC’s proposed rule pending the study. SEMA submitted a letter in support of the legislation and has joined with other companies and organizations to support an alternative industry ROV standard that would not stifle future design innovations and potentially limit use. The industry standard recognizes that there are a wide variety of uses and terrains for which ROVs are constructed, from utility to recreation. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation to renew the research and development (R&D) tax credit, which expired at the end of 2014. The “American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015” (HR 880) increases the alternative simplified credit from 14% to 20%, makes the credit permanent and provides small businesses with a credit against the alternative minimum tax. While supporting the bill’s intent, the White House cautioned that the president would veto the legislation in its present form since the bill would increase the federal deficit. Supporters of the bill maintain that permanently renewing the R&D tax credit will actually increase tax revenues over time as companies pay taxes on profits resulting from their investments. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate but is on hold as senators attempt to focus on comprehensive tax reform. 

For additional details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation to renew the research and development (R&D) tax credit, which expired at the end of 2014. The “American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015” (HR 880) increases the alternative simplified credit from 14% to 20%, makes the credit permanent and provides small businesses with a credit against the alternative minimum tax. While supporting the bill’s intent, the White House cautioned that the president would veto the legislation in its present form since the bill would increase the federal deficit. Supporters of the bill maintain that permanently renewing the R&D tax credit will actually increase tax revenues over time as companies pay taxes on profits resulting from their investments. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate but is on hold as senators attempt to focus on comprehensive tax reform. 

For additional details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation to renew the research and development (R&D) tax credit, which expired at the end of 2014. The “American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015” (HR 880) increases the alternative simplified credit from 14% to 20%, makes the credit permanent and provides small businesses with a credit against the alternative minimum tax. While supporting the bill’s intent, the White House cautioned that the president would veto the legislation in its present form since the bill would increase the federal deficit. Supporters of the bill maintain that permanently renewing the R&D tax credit will actually increase tax revenues over time as companies pay taxes on profits resulting from their investments. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate but is on hold as senators attempt to focus on comprehensive tax reform. 

For additional details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

House and Senate versions of legislation to establish a pilot program to study the feasibility of implementing a system that charges drivers based on vehicle miles traveled died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

House and Senate versions of legislation (H.B. 7075/S.B. 1186) to establish a pilot program to study the feasibility of implementing a system that charges drivers based on vehicle miles traveled died when the legislature adjourned for the year. In addition to creating privacy concerns, the bills sought to penalize national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet by taxing drivers based on vehicle mileage. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. The Senate bill would have allowed the Center for Urban Transportation to spend up to $400,000 for the study and pilot program design and provided for the implementation of the pilot program in 2017.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

House and Senate versions of legislation to establish a pilot program to study the feasibility of implementing a system that charges drivers based on vehicle miles traveled died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

House and Senate versions of legislation (H.B. 7075/S.B. 1186) to establish a pilot program to study the feasibility of implementing a system that charges drivers based on vehicle miles traveled died when the legislature adjourned for the year. In addition to creating privacy concerns, the bills sought to penalize national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet by taxing drivers based on vehicle mileage. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. The Senate bill would have allowed the Center for Urban Transportation to spend up to $400,000 for the study and pilot program design and provided for the implementation of the pilot program in 2017.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

House and Senate versions of legislation to establish a pilot program to study the feasibility of implementing a system that charges drivers based on vehicle miles traveled died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

House and Senate versions of legislation (H.B. 7075/S.B. 1186) to establish a pilot program to study the feasibility of implementing a system that charges drivers based on vehicle miles traveled died when the legislature adjourned for the year. In addition to creating privacy concerns, the bills sought to penalize national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet by taxing drivers based on vehicle mileage. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. The Senate bill would have allowed the Center for Urban Transportation to spend up to $400,000 for the study and pilot program design and provided for the implementation of the pilot program in 2017.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Maggie Hassan signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to include trucks more than 25 years old (regardless of weight) in the definition of eligible “antique motor vehicles.”

SEMA-supported legislation to include trucks more than 25 years old (regardless of weight) in the definition of eligible “antique motor vehicles” was signed into law by Governor Maggie Hassan. The new law provides the option for older trucks to take advantage of the many accommodations available to antique motor vehicles. Under New Hampshire law, antique motor vehicles pay a minimal registration fee. In addition, antiques are only inspected every two years, can use year-of-manufacture license plates and are exempted from certain equipment requirements. Antique motor vehicles may be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Maggie Hassan signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to include trucks more than 25 years old (regardless of weight) in the definition of eligible “antique motor vehicles.”

SEMA-supported legislation to include trucks more than 25 years old (regardless of weight) in the definition of eligible “antique motor vehicles” was signed into law by Governor Maggie Hassan. The new law provides the option for older trucks to take advantage of the many accommodations available to antique motor vehicles. Under New Hampshire law, antique motor vehicles pay a minimal registration fee. In addition, antiques are only inspected every two years, can use year-of-manufacture license plates and are exempted from certain equipment requirements. Antique motor vehicles may be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Maggie Hassan signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to include trucks more than 25 years old (regardless of weight) in the definition of eligible “antique motor vehicles.”

SEMA-supported legislation to include trucks more than 25 years old (regardless of weight) in the definition of eligible “antique motor vehicles” was signed into law by Governor Maggie Hassan. The new law provides the option for older trucks to take advantage of the many accommodations available to antique motor vehicles. Under New Hampshire law, antique motor vehicles pay a minimal registration fee. In addition, antiques are only inspected every two years, can use year-of-manufacture license plates and are exempted from certain equipment requirements. Antique motor vehicles may be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest.

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