After months of negotiations and short-term extensions, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have agreed on a sweeping $120 billion package to fund highway construction and other transportation projects for the next two years. The spending is financed by the current $.184 per gallon gas tax and the $.244 per gallon diesel tax, along with $19 billion in general Treasury funds. 

The new law funds state programs to reduce distracted and impaired driving and increase seat belt use. It also increases the civil penalties for defective or noncompliant vehicles and equipment, although lawmakers dropped some of the more onerous provisions opposed by SEMA and the automakers, such as mandatory installation of event data recorders. The approved version also includes $85 million in funding for the SEMA-supported Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which provides funds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses. 

SEMA joined with several off-road enthusiast organizations to maintain RTP funding in the final highway bill. 

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

Prior to the adjournment of the New York State Legislature, the State Assembly issued a resolution memorializing Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim July 13, 2012 as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. However, the legislature failed to complete action on a series of other bills that would have had an impact, both positive and negative, on the automotive hobby. These bills will have to be reintroduced in 2013. To follow is a brief summary:

S.B. 3213/A.B. 2080/A.B. 4323: Despite being passed by the Senate, legislation to allow historical vehicle owners to only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration died in the Assembly when the legislature adjourned for the year. The $100 one-time fee would have replaced the current annual fee of $28.75.  

S.B. 201/A.B. 2073: SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and exempt these vehicles from emissions inspections died without any action taken in the Senate or Assembly. The bills defined a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Kit cars and replica vehicles would have been assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.  

A.B. 4385: A bill to exempt historical motor vehicles from the metropolitan commuter transportation district supplemental registration fee died without committee action.

A.B. 2127: Legislation to provide for the issuance of special historic vehicle plates to be issued to owners for display on a trailer towing such historic vehicle also died without committee action.

A.B. 1318: A SAN-opposed bill to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions died without consideration. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could have required owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle.  

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

Prior to the adjournment of the New York State Legislature, the State Assembly issued a resolution memorializing Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim July 13, 2012 as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. However, the legislature failed to complete action on a series of other bills that would have had an impact, both positive and negative, on the automotive hobby. These bills will have to be reintroduced in 2013. To follow is a brief summary:

S.B. 3213/A.B. 2080/A.B. 4323: Despite being passed by the Senate, legislation to allow historical vehicle owners to only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration died in the Assembly when the legislature adjourned for the year. The $100 one-time fee would have replaced the current annual fee of $28.75.  

S.B. 201/A.B. 2073: SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and exempt these vehicles from emissions inspections died without any action taken in the Senate or Assembly. The bills defined a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Kit cars and replica vehicles would have been assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.  

A.B. 4385: A bill to exempt historical motor vehicles from the metropolitan commuter transportation district supplemental registration fee died without committee action.

A.B. 2127: Legislation to provide for the issuance of special historic vehicle plates to be issued to owners for display on a trailer towing such historic vehicle also died without committee action.

A.B. 1318: A SAN-opposed bill to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions died without consideration. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could have required owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle.  

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

Prior to the adjournment of the New York State Legislature, the State Assembly issued a resolution memorializing Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim July 13, 2012 as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. However, the legislature failed to complete action on a series of other bills that would have had an impact, both positive and negative, on the automotive hobby. These bills will have to be reintroduced in 2013. To follow is a brief summary:

S.B. 3213/A.B. 2080/A.B. 4323: Despite being passed by the Senate, legislation to allow historical vehicle owners to only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration died in the Assembly when the legislature adjourned for the year. The $100 one-time fee would have replaced the current annual fee of $28.75.  

S.B. 201/A.B. 2073: SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and exempt these vehicles from emissions inspections died without any action taken in the Senate or Assembly. The bills defined a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Kit cars and replica vehicles would have been assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.  

A.B. 4385: A bill to exempt historical motor vehicles from the metropolitan commuter transportation district supplemental registration fee died without committee action.

A.B. 2127: Legislation to provide for the issuance of special historic vehicle plates to be issued to owners for display on a trailer towing such historic vehicle also died without committee action.

A.B. 1318: A SAN-opposed bill to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions died without consideration. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could have required owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle.  

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

Thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman Bill Reilich, the New York State Assembly issued a resolution memorializing Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim July 13, 2012, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. In West Virginia, at the request of Delegate Gary Howell, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin issued a proclamation also designating July 13, 2012, as Collector Car Appreciation Day.  

New York and West Virginia join New Mexico and Hawaii as states that have officially recognized the celebration. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 452 at SEMA’s request to acknowledge the day’s significance in raising awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marks the third commemoration in what has become an annual event.  

Assemblyman Reilich and Delegate Howell are both SEMA members and members of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.  In addition to their roles as lawmakers, Reilich is the owner and operator of Rochester Auto Design—a retailer of auto display stands for auto shows and showrooms, and Howell owns Howell Automotive, which provides retail sales of performance parts and accessories for domestic and imported vehicles, specializing in Chrysler products.   

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 13, 2012, events should contact Colby Martin of the SEMA Government Affairs office at 909-978-6721 or colbym@sema.org.

Thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman Bill Reilich, the New York State Assembly issued a resolution memorializing Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim July 13, 2012, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. In West Virginia, at the request of Delegate Gary Howell, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin issued a proclamation also designating July 13, 2012, as Collector Car Appreciation Day.  

New York and West Virginia join New Mexico and Hawaii as states that have officially recognized the celebration. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 452 at SEMA’s request to acknowledge the day’s significance in raising awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marks the third commemoration in what has become an annual event.  

Assemblyman Reilich and Delegate Howell are both SEMA members and members of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.  In addition to their roles as lawmakers, Reilich is the owner and operator of Rochester Auto Design—a retailer of auto display stands for auto shows and showrooms, and Howell owns Howell Automotive, which provides retail sales of performance parts and accessories for domestic and imported vehicles, specializing in Chrysler products.   

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 13, 2012, events should contact Colby Martin of the SEMA Government Affairs office at 909-978-6721 or colbym@sema.org.

Thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman Bill Reilich, the New York State Assembly issued a resolution memorializing Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim July 13, 2012, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. In West Virginia, at the request of Delegate Gary Howell, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin issued a proclamation also designating July 13, 2012, as Collector Car Appreciation Day.  

New York and West Virginia join New Mexico and Hawaii as states that have officially recognized the celebration. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 452 at SEMA’s request to acknowledge the day’s significance in raising awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marks the third commemoration in what has become an annual event.  

Assemblyman Reilich and Delegate Howell are both SEMA members and members of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.  In addition to their roles as lawmakers, Reilich is the owner and operator of Rochester Auto Design—a retailer of auto display stands for auto shows and showrooms, and Howell owns Howell Automotive, which provides retail sales of performance parts and accessories for domestic and imported vehicles, specializing in Chrysler products.   

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 13, 2012, events should contact Colby Martin of the SEMA Government Affairs office at 909-978-6721 or colbym@sema.org.

Thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman Bill Reilich, the New York State Assembly issued a resolution memorializing Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim July 13, 2012, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the state. In West Virginia, at the request of Delegate Gary Howell, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin issued a proclamation also designating July 13, 2012, as Collector Car Appreciation Day.  

New York and West Virginia join New Mexico and Hawaii as states that have officially recognized the celebration. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 452 at SEMA’s request to acknowledge the day’s significance in raising awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marks the third commemoration in what has become an annual event.  

Assemblyman Reilich and Delegate Howell are both SEMA members and members of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.  In addition to their roles as lawmakers, Reilich is the owner and operator of Rochester Auto Design—a retailer of auto display stands for auto shows and showrooms, and Howell owns Howell Automotive, which provides retail sales of performance parts and accessories for domestic and imported vehicles, specializing in Chrysler products.   

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 13, 2012, events should contact Colby Martin of the SEMA Government Affairs office at 909-978-6721 or colbym@sema.org.

Legislation to amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their unlimited use as “exhibition” vehicles the entire month of August was signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. The new law goes into effect immediately. Under previous Michigan law, use of historic vehicles was limited to participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses, including mechanical testing, but not for general transportation.  

The law provides Michigan historic vehicle owners the opportunity to enjoy recreational driving in the month of August (including the world-famous Woodward Dream Cruise) in addition to the other sanctioned uses. The law also acknowledges the immeasurable time and money automotive hobbyists, especially historic vehicle owners, invest in their cars.

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

Legislation to amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their unlimited use as “exhibition” vehicles the entire month of August was signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. The new law goes into effect immediately. Under previous Michigan law, use of historic vehicles was limited to participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses, including mechanical testing, but not for general transportation.  

The law provides Michigan historic vehicle owners the opportunity to enjoy recreational driving in the month of August (including the world-famous Woodward Dream Cruise) in addition to the other sanctioned uses. The law also acknowledges the immeasurable time and money automotive hobbyists, especially historic vehicle owners, invest in their cars.

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