By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A concurrent resolution urging the U.S. EPA to revoke its decision to allow the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) until there is clear and convincing scientific evidence that it does not pose a risk to any gasoline-powered vehicle or equipment died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Separate legislation to exempt motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, trucks and tractors, that are older than 25 years from personal property taxes also died. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A concurrent resolution urging the U.S. EPA to revoke its decision to allow the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) until there is clear and convincing scientific evidence that it does not pose a risk to any gasoline-powered vehicle or equipment died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Separate legislation to exempt motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, trucks and tractors, that are older than 25 years from personal property taxes also died. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to reduce the annual registration fees charged for automobiles and light trucks died when the Legislature adjourned without the House having voted on the bill. Under the measure, which had been approved by the Senate, registration fees would have been reduced by $2.40 annually until a total decrease of $12 had been achieved, saving Florida taxpayers up to $220 million per year when fully implemented. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to reduce the annual registration fees charged for automobiles and light trucks died when the Legislature adjourned without the House having voted on the bill. Under the measure, which had been approved by the Senate, registration fees would have been reduced by $2.40 annually until a total decrease of $12 had been achieved, saving Florida taxpayers up to $220 million per year when fully implemented. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation to require the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to provide, for one year, a specially designed vintage reproduction registration plate to qualifying vehicle owners was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley. Under the new law, to be eligible to receive a vintage reproduction registration plate, the vehicle must be a passenger, small truck, historic, multipurpose or street-rod vehicle. The vintage reproduction plate will be designed to resemble the 1910 Maryland registration plate, which has black lettering on a yellow background. The MVA estimates that the additional cost to obtain the plates would be $20 and would take effect January 1, 2014. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Legislation to require the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to provide, for one year, a specially designed vintage reproduction registration plate to qualifying vehicle owners was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley. Under the new law, to be eligible to receive a vintage reproduction registration plate, the vehicle must be a passenger, small truck, historic, multipurpose or street-rod vehicle. The vintage reproduction plate will be designed to resemble the 1910 Maryland registration plate, which has black lettering on a yellow background. The MVA estimates that the additional cost to obtain the plates would be $20 and would take effect January 1, 2014. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to allow off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles and motorcycles. In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Under the new law, licensed off-road vehicle operators will be required to be in possession of their registration and a valid driver’s license. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

SEMA-supported legislation to allow off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles and motorcycles. In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Under the new law, licensed off-road vehicle operators will be required to be in possession of their registration and a valid driver’s license. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Working with state lawmakers, SEMA helped amend legislation that originally threatened to ban any covering that reduced the visibility of required motor-vehicle lighting. Under the amendment, which was approved by the Arkansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Mike Beebe, these coverings would be prohibited only when required lamps are in use. SEMA expressed its concern that the original bill could be misinterpreted to include such items as removable ornamental lamp covers, which are often used for shows, exhibitions and street use during daylight hours.  

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Working with state lawmakers, SEMA helped amend legislation that originally threatened to ban any covering that reduced the visibility of required motor-vehicle lighting. Under the amendment, which was approved by the Arkansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Mike Beebe, these coverings would be prohibited only when required lamps are in use. SEMA expressed its concern that the original bill could be misinterpreted to include such items as removable ornamental lamp covers, which are often used for shows, exhibitions and street use during daylight hours.  

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