By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee held a hearing on how to best manage trails for motorized and non-motorized recreation. It was noted that a number of trails were not originally intended as recreational venues but rather wood/mining extraction roads, fire breaks, hunting routes or game trails. Witnesses recommended a public/private collaborative approach for improved maintenance and trail marking. The panel stressed the importance of including local stakeholders and trail users in land-management decisions. Some witnesses and subcommittee members specifically warned against “wilderness” and “National Monument” designations that can close large areas of public lands to recreational opportunities without consideration of local concerns.

The hearing coincided with a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report citing an estimated $314 million trail maintenance and improvement backlog by the U.S. Forest Service for 2012. The report finds that the Forest Service oversees more miles of trail than it can manage, strengthening the case for a more fiscally responsible and collaborative approach to trail management. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee held a hearing on how to best manage trails for motorized and non-motorized recreation. It was noted that a number of trails were not originally intended as recreational venues but rather wood/mining extraction roads, fire breaks, hunting routes or game trails. Witnesses recommended a public/private collaborative approach for improved maintenance and trail marking. The panel stressed the importance of including local stakeholders and trail users in land-management decisions. Some witnesses and subcommittee members specifically warned against “wilderness” and “National Monument” designations that can close large areas of public lands to recreational opportunities without consideration of local concerns.

The hearing coincided with a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report citing an estimated $314 million trail maintenance and improvement backlog by the U.S. Forest Service for 2012. The report finds that the Forest Service oversees more miles of trail than it can manage, strengthening the case for a more fiscally responsible and collaborative approach to trail management. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is supporting Pennsylvania legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption to vehicles never before registered in the state or any other jurisdiction for five years from the model year in which the vehicle was manufactured. Current law only exempts new vehicles that have less than 5,000 miles on their odometer for one year after their first registration. Earlier this year, a bill was introduced to extend the emissions exemption for the first 10 years. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is supporting Pennsylvania legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption to vehicles never before registered in the state or any other jurisdiction for five years from the model year in which the vehicle was manufactured. Current law only exempts new vehicles that have less than 5,000 miles on their odometer for one year after their first registration. Earlier this year, a bill was introduced to extend the emissions exemption for the first 10 years. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is supporting Pennsylvania legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption to vehicles never before registered in the state or any other jurisdiction for five years from the model year in which the vehicle was manufactured. Current law only exempts new vehicles that have less than 5,000 miles on their odometer for one year after their first registration. Earlier this year, a bill was introduced to extend the emissions exemption for the first 10 years. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require that motor vehicles display only a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle was approved by the Ohio House Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. The bill now moves to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote by all members. The bill, favored by state hobbyists, would save money, conserve resources and bring Ohio in line with other states that have moved to a single-plate requirement. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require that motor vehicles display only a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle was approved by the Ohio House Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. The bill now moves to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote by all members. The bill, favored by state hobbyists, would save money, conserve resources and bring Ohio in line with other states that have moved to a single-plate requirement. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require that motor vehicles display only a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle was approved by the Ohio House Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. The bill now moves to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote by all members. The bill, favored by state hobbyists, would save money, conserve resources and bring Ohio in line with other states that have moved to a single-plate requirement. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

For the second consecutive year, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez issued a proclamation designating July 12, 2013, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. Similarly, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and the Las Vegas City Council again proclaimed July 10, 2013, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the city. New Mexico and Las Vegas join New York and the province of Nova Scotia in recognizing the day. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 176 at SEMA’s request to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marks the fourth commemoration in what has become an annual event.  

In the previous three years, thousands of Americans have gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage. By taking part in these events around the country, these automotive enthusiasts and related businesses ensured that their passion was honored and recognized.

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate America’s time-tested love affair with the automobile. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing July, 2013, events should contact Colby Martin of the SEMA Government Affairs office at 909-978-6721 or colbym@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

For the second consecutive year, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez issued a proclamation designating July 12, 2013, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. Similarly, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and the Las Vegas City Council again proclaimed July 10, 2013, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the city. New Mexico and Las Vegas join New York and the province of Nova Scotia in recognizing the day. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 176 at SEMA’s request to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marks the fourth commemoration in what has become an annual event.  

In the previous three years, thousands of Americans have gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage. By taking part in these events around the country, these automotive enthusiasts and related businesses ensured that their passion was honored and recognized.

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate America’s time-tested love affair with the automobile. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing July, 2013, events should contact Colby Martin of the SEMA Government Affairs office at 909-978-6721 or colbym@sema.org.