SEMA’s Government Affairs Office has compiled a comprehensive guide on how motor-vehicle parts are regulated by the federal government, which can be viewed at www.sema.org/fedregs. It is a must-read document for every SEMA member.  

The guide is generally presented in a Q&A format, with links to online resources for more information. Topics include an overview of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, emissions standards (Environmental Protection Agency and California) and special sections on lighting equipment, wheels and tires and fuel economy. The guide also answers questions such as:

• Is my company required to register with the NHTSA?
• What are my obligations as an importer?
• What is self-certification?
• Is “DOT-approved” a legal term?
• How is lighting equipment regulated by the federal and state government?
• Where can I download NHTSA rules and regulations?  

To learn more about the SEMA government affairs efforts and how your company can stay current with federal and state laws and regulations, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

SEMA’s Government Affairs Office has compiled a comprehensive guide on how motor-vehicle parts are regulated by the federal government, which can be viewed at www.sema.org/fedregs. It is a must-read document for every SEMA member.  

The guide is generally presented in a Q&A format, with links to online resources for more information. Topics include an overview of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, emissions standards (Environmental Protection Agency and California) and special sections on lighting equipment, wheels and tires and fuel economy. The guide also answers questions such as:

• Is my company required to register with the NHTSA?
• What are my obligations as an importer?
• What is self-certification?
• Is “DOT-approved” a legal term?
• How is lighting equipment regulated by the federal and state government?
• Where can I download NHTSA rules and regulations?  

To learn more about the SEMA government affairs efforts and how your company can stay current with federal and state laws and regulations, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Legislation that would give small-business owners a voice on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) was approved unanimously by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The bill would create a requirement for one member of the CARB to be a current owner of a small business and have experience with a small business for 10 years. The measure recognizes that the regulations issued by the Board directly affect small businesses and would ensure that the rights of small-business owners are represented. The bill now moves to the floor of the Assembly for a vote by all members. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation that would give small-business owners a voice on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) was approved unanimously by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The bill would create a requirement for one member of the CARB to be a current owner of a small business and have experience with a small business for 10 years. The measure recognizes that the regulations issued by the Board directly affect small businesses and would ensure that the rights of small-business owners are represented. The bill now moves to the floor of the Assembly for a vote by all members. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide that classic vehicles and classic rods would be exempted from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was passed by the Nevada Assembly. Currently, classic rods and classic vehicles are subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and must pass an initial two-speed idle-emissions inspection to qualify. Also, each year the owners of classic rods and vehicles must fill out a certification that their vehicles have not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification must be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the bill, the initial emissions inspection would no longer be required. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide that classic vehicles and classic rods would be exempted from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was passed by the Nevada Assembly. Currently, classic rods and classic vehicles are subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and must pass an initial two-speed idle-emissions inspection to qualify. Also, each year the owners of classic rods and vehicles must fill out a certification that their vehicles have not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification must be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the bill, the initial emissions inspection would no longer be required. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In case you missed last weekend’s premier of "Hot Rod TV" featuring the 2010 SEMA Show (or if you want to watch it again), tune in to SPEED TV this weekend. The SEMA special will be re-airing several times in the next few days! Check your local listings on SPEED TV.

In case you missed last weekend’s premier of "Hot Rod TV" featuring the 2010 SEMA Show (or if you want to watch it again), tune in to SPEED TV this weekend. The SEMA special will be re-airing several times in the next few days! Check your local listings on SPEED TV.

The SEMA 2011 Annual Market Study is almost ready to be released! This annual report will help SEMA-member companies better understand the overall specialty-equipment market and its components. Within the specialty segment of the aftermarket, SEMA tracks nine primary niche markets. Data includes information from businesses in the industry as well as consumers.

Join Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s market research department, on Thursday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) as he highlights results from the recent study and explains their potential impact. Learn the following:

• Overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment product segments and niches
• Industry and product trends
• Vehicle sales trends

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members: for more information and to register, click here.

Non-Members: for more information and to register, click here.

The SEMA 2011 Annual Market Study is almost ready to be released! This annual report will help SEMA-member companies better understand the overall specialty-equipment market and its components. Within the specialty segment of the aftermarket, SEMA tracks nine primary niche markets. Data includes information from businesses in the industry as well as consumers.

Join Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s market research department, on Thursday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) as he highlights results from the recent study and explains their potential impact. Learn the following:

• Overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment product segments and niches
• Industry and product trends
• Vehicle sales trends

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members: for more information and to register, click here.

Non-Members: for more information and to register, click here.