By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation has been introduced to eliminate a provision in the Connecticut statutes that allows antiques, rare or special-interest motor vehicles to be assessed at a value of no more than $500. Under the bill, valuation of these vehicles will be done in the same manner as all other motor vehicles in the state. Vehicles in Connecticut are taxed by the municipality in which they are registered and rates vary by municipality.  

The municipality calculates the owner’s tax liability for a particular vehicle by multiplying the "mill rate" by 70% of the vehicle’s true and actual value. Tax assessors are looking to target motor vehicles for additional revenue at a time when it appears that property taxes are increasing for many Connecticut citizens on other taxable property. The bill ignores the fact that existing antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles constitute a small portion of the vehicle fleet and are well-maintained, infrequently operated hobby cars and deserving of continued property tax benefits. 

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 has been introduced to eliminate a provision in the Connecticut statutes that allows antiques, rare or special-interest motor vehicles to be assessed at a value of no more than $500. Under the bill, valuation of these vehicles will be done in the same manner as all other motor vehicles in the state. Vehicles in Connecticut are taxed by the municipality in which they are registered and rates vary by municipality.  

The municipality calculates the owner’s tax liability for a particular vehicle by multiplying the "mill rate" by 70% of the vehicle’s true and actual value. Tax assessors are looking to target motor vehicles for additional revenue at a time when it appears that property taxes are increasing for many Connecticut citizens on other taxable property. The bill ignores the fact that existing antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles constitute a small portion of the vehicle fleet and are well-maintained, infrequently operated hobby cars and deserving of continued property tax benefits. 

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 has been introduced to eliminate a provision in the Connecticut statutes that allows antiques, rare or special-interest motor vehicles to be assessed at a value of no more than $500. Under the bill, valuation of these vehicles will be done in the same manner as all other motor vehicles in the state. Vehicles in Connecticut are taxed by the municipality in which they are registered and rates vary by municipality.  

The municipality calculates the owner’s tax liability for a particular vehicle by multiplying the "mill rate" by 70% of the vehicle’s true and actual value. Tax assessors are looking to target motor vehicles for additional revenue at a time when it appears that property taxes are increasing for many Connecticut citizens on other taxable property. The bill ignores the fact that existing antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles constitute a small portion of the vehicle fleet and are well-maintained, infrequently operated hobby cars and deserving of continued property tax benefits. 

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 

As a result of the opposition expressed by the Montana enthusiast community, legislation to limit the number of inoperable motor vehicles allowed on private property under “community decay” laws was withdrawn from consideration by the House Local Government Committee. The bill had been scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, February 19, 2013. 

Under the bill, four or more “junk vehicles” on private property would have constituted “community decay.” The measure provided no reasonable concessions for legitimate automotive hobbyists to work on more than three inoperable collector vehicles on private property. SEMA believes that clear legal distinctions must be drawn between an owner using private property as a dumping ground and a vehicle enthusiast working to maintain, restore or construct a vehicle. 

SEMA supports legislation that permits the outdoor storage of motor vehicles if they are located away from public view, or screened by a fence, trees, shrubbery, opaque covering or other appropriate means. This bill provided no such accommodation to vehicle restorers and allowed municipalities alone to determine if these vehicles created “community decay.” 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

As a result of the opposition expressed by the Montana enthusiast community, legislation to limit the number of inoperable motor vehicles allowed on private property under “community decay” laws was withdrawn from consideration by the House Local Government Committee. The bill had been scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, February 19, 2013. 

Under the bill, four or more “junk vehicles” on private property would have constituted “community decay.” The measure provided no reasonable concessions for legitimate automotive hobbyists to work on more than three inoperable collector vehicles on private property. SEMA believes that clear legal distinctions must be drawn between an owner using private property as a dumping ground and a vehicle enthusiast working to maintain, restore or construct a vehicle. 

SEMA supports legislation that permits the outdoor storage of motor vehicles if they are located away from public view, or screened by a fence, trees, shrubbery, opaque covering or other appropriate means. This bill provided no such accommodation to vehicle restorers and allowed municipalities alone to determine if these vehicles created “community decay.” 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

A version of SEMA-model legislation to prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance, development regulation, zoning regulation or administrative practice that prevents automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby was approved by the Senate Governmental Operations Committee and Rules Committee. Under the bill, junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles stored on private property would only require screening from public view. Six or fewer vehicles that are 30 years old or older, including one parts car, would be permitted for hobby vehicle restoration as long as restoration is an ancillary use of the property. The bill will next be voted on by the full Washington Senate. 

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 

A version of SEMA-model legislation to prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance, development regulation, zoning regulation or administrative practice that prevents automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby was approved by the Senate Governmental Operations Committee and Rules Committee. Under the bill, junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles stored on private property would only require screening from public view. Six or fewer vehicles that are 30 years old or older, including one parts car, would be permitted for hobby vehicle restoration as long as restoration is an ancillary use of the property. The bill will next be voted on by the full Washington Senate. 

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 

A version of SEMA-model legislation to prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance, development regulation, zoning regulation or administrative practice that prevents automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby was approved by the Senate Governmental Operations Committee and Rules Committee. Under the bill, junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles stored on private property would only require screening from public view. Six or fewer vehicles that are 30 years old or older, including one parts car, would be permitted for hobby vehicle restoration as long as restoration is an ancillary use of the property. The bill will next be voted on by the full Washington Senate. 

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

The shooters at KGP Photography grabbed their latest look at a massive prototype for Chevrolet's next-generation Silverado HD Crew Cab Chassis Cab. The new Chassis Cab, and the rest of upcoming revamped HD lineup, will incorporate the changes recently unveiled on the standard-duty Silverados, according to KGP. Additional focus has reportedly been put toward fuel economy while also searching for more power to compete with the the latest heavy-duty offerings from Ford and Ram.

Although the Silverado 1500 has now gone official, HD prototypes continue to have their interiors thoroughly covered. That would seem to point to some interior changes for the HD versions, but the shooters have been unable to get photo confirmation.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography 

The shooters at KGP Photography grabbed their latest look at a massive prototype for Chevrolet's next-generation Silverado HD Crew Cab Chassis Cab. The new Chassis Cab, and the rest of upcoming revamped HD lineup, will incorporate the changes recently unveiled on the standard-duty Silverados, according to KGP. Additional focus has reportedly been put toward fuel economy while also searching for more power to compete with the the latest heavy-duty offerings from Ford and Ram.

Although the Silverado 1500 has now gone official, HD prototypes continue to have their interiors thoroughly covered. That would seem to point to some interior changes for the HD versions, but the shooters have been unable to get photo confirmation.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography