SEMA News—October 2019

EVENTS

By SEMA New Editors

2019 SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Award Winners Announced

The 2018 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund winners at the SEMA Launch Pad event at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded $272,000 to 97 individuals this year. The financial awards include scholarships for current students and loan-forgiveness awards to employees of SEMA-member companies.

SEMA News—October 2019

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

California—Off Highway Vehicles: The California Coastal Commission voted to make no changes to a permit that allows off-highway vehicle (OHV) use at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Area. The commission voted against a prohibition on night riding, additional fencing to restrict OHV use, eliminating unlimited OHV use on holidays, and increased enforcement efforts focused on vehicle use and speed limit. The commission also voted down a proposal to provide year-round protection to a 300-acre endangered species area (which is currently protected on a seasonal basis) and future closures for the purpose of dust control. Oceano Dunes encompasses nearly 3,600 acres along the Pacific Ocean, of which OHV use is now limited to 1,500 acres or less. It became a state OHV park in the ’80s and is the only such park on California’s coast.

Minimum Wage: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to gradually increase the federal minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2024. The legislation would increase the wage in seven yearly steps and then index future increases to median wage growth. The federal wage has not been hiked since 2007, although 29 states and Washington, D.C., have set higher minimum wages. While the U.S. Senate is not expected to consider the bill, the issue will be a topic of debate in the upcoming presidential campaign.

Apprenticeships: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a proposed rule to encourage companies, trade associations, colleges, unions and other entities to establish federally recognized apprenticeship programs. The apprenticeships would be paid positions that provide trainees with on-the-job training and classroom education. The initiative is intended to expand the pool of available workers, given the fact that the U.S. currently has many more job openings than skilled workers. Federal funds would be available to help partner educational institutions with companies for a market-based approach that operates within DOL standards for training, structure and curricula.

Repair and Warranty Restrictions: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a one-day workshop to examine ways in which manufacturers may limit third-party automotive replacement and repairs, including limitations on consumer rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Issues covered included the current prevalence of repair restrictions, reasons provided by manufacturers for such restrictions, and whether consumers are aware of their right to install aftermarket products. The workshop also explored the technological and financial impact repair restrictions have on small businesses and consumers. The workshop was a fact-finding effort as the FTC seeks to better understand challenges faced in enforcing the law.

Outdoor Recreation: The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee passed SEMA-supported legislation help to address a $16 billion maintenance backlog on America’s public lands. The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act would create a public-lands fund spending up to $1.3 billion a year between 2020 and 2024. Deferred maintenance projects include rebuilding roadways, bridges, buildings, campgrounds, trails and other vital infrastructure that support outdoor recreation.

STATE UPDATE

Hawaii—Military Vehicles: Hawaii Governor David Ige vetoed legislation that would have allowed for the registration and titling of former military vehicles. In announcing his intent to veto the legislation, Governor Ige explained that he believed the bill would result in vehicles that didn’t conform to emissions standards or federal motor safety standards on Hawaii roadways.

New Brunswick—License Plates: New Brunswick Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart announced that motorists in the province will no longer be required to display a front license plate on passenger vehicles and light trucks weighing less than 4,500 kg. Antique vehicles are unaffected by the change and will continue to be issued a single, rear-mounted license plate.

Pennsylvania—Emissions: A package of bills to reform Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program passed the Senate and currently await consideration in the House Transportation Committee. These bills would replace the annual emissions-testing requirement with a biennial requirement, exempt new vehicles from the I/M program for eight years after the manufacture date, exempt certain counties from testing requirements, and change testing criteria for model-year ’94–’95 vehicles in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia regions.

Rhode Island—License Plates: Legislation in Rhode Island to allow vehicles with year-of-manufacture tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle passed the legislature and awaits consideration by Governor Gina Raimondo.

SEMA News—October 2019

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

California—Off Highway Vehicles: The California Coastal Commission voted to make no changes to a permit that allows off-highway vehicle (OHV) use at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Area. The commission voted against a prohibition on night riding, additional fencing to restrict OHV use, eliminating unlimited OHV use on holidays, and increased enforcement efforts focused on vehicle use and speed limit. The commission also voted down a proposal to provide year-round protection to a 300-acre endangered species area (which is currently protected on a seasonal basis) and future closures for the purpose of dust control. Oceano Dunes encompasses nearly 3,600 acres along the Pacific Ocean, of which OHV use is now limited to 1,500 acres or less. It became a state OHV park in the ’80s and is the only such park on California’s coast.

Minimum Wage: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to gradually increase the federal minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2024. The legislation would increase the wage in seven yearly steps and then index future increases to median wage growth. The federal wage has not been hiked since 2007, although 29 states and Washington, D.C., have set higher minimum wages. While the U.S. Senate is not expected to consider the bill, the issue will be a topic of debate in the upcoming presidential campaign.

Apprenticeships: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a proposed rule to encourage companies, trade associations, colleges, unions and other entities to establish federally recognized apprenticeship programs. The apprenticeships would be paid positions that provide trainees with on-the-job training and classroom education. The initiative is intended to expand the pool of available workers, given the fact that the U.S. currently has many more job openings than skilled workers. Federal funds would be available to help partner educational institutions with companies for a market-based approach that operates within DOL standards for training, structure and curricula.

Repair and Warranty Restrictions: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a one-day workshop to examine ways in which manufacturers may limit third-party automotive replacement and repairs, including limitations on consumer rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Issues covered included the current prevalence of repair restrictions, reasons provided by manufacturers for such restrictions, and whether consumers are aware of their right to install aftermarket products. The workshop also explored the technological and financial impact repair restrictions have on small businesses and consumers. The workshop was a fact-finding effort as the FTC seeks to better understand challenges faced in enforcing the law.

Outdoor Recreation: The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee passed SEMA-supported legislation help to address a $16 billion maintenance backlog on America’s public lands. The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act would create a public-lands fund spending up to $1.3 billion a year between 2020 and 2024. Deferred maintenance projects include rebuilding roadways, bridges, buildings, campgrounds, trails and other vital infrastructure that support outdoor recreation.

STATE UPDATE

Hawaii—Military Vehicles: Hawaii Governor David Ige vetoed legislation that would have allowed for the registration and titling of former military vehicles. In announcing his intent to veto the legislation, Governor Ige explained that he believed the bill would result in vehicles that didn’t conform to emissions standards or federal motor safety standards on Hawaii roadways.

New Brunswick—License Plates: New Brunswick Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart announced that motorists in the province will no longer be required to display a front license plate on passenger vehicles and light trucks weighing less than 4,500 kg. Antique vehicles are unaffected by the change and will continue to be issued a single, rear-mounted license plate.

Pennsylvania—Emissions: A package of bills to reform Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program passed the Senate and currently await consideration in the House Transportation Committee. These bills would replace the annual emissions-testing requirement with a biennial requirement, exempt new vehicles from the I/M program for eight years after the manufacture date, exempt certain counties from testing requirements, and change testing criteria for model-year ’94–’95 vehicles in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia regions.

Rhode Island—License Plates: Legislation in Rhode Island to allow vehicles with year-of-manufacture tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle passed the legislature and awaits consideration by Governor Gina Raimondo.

SEMA News—October 2019

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

California—Off Highway Vehicles: The California Coastal Commission voted to make no changes to a permit that allows off-highway vehicle (OHV) use at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Area. The commission voted against a prohibition on night riding, additional fencing to restrict OHV use, eliminating unlimited OHV use on holidays, and increased enforcement efforts focused on vehicle use and speed limit. The commission also voted down a proposal to provide year-round protection to a 300-acre endangered species area (which is currently protected on a seasonal basis) and future closures for the purpose of dust control. Oceano Dunes encompasses nearly 3,600 acres along the Pacific Ocean, of which OHV use is now limited to 1,500 acres or less. It became a state OHV park in the ’80s and is the only such park on California’s coast.

Minimum Wage: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to gradually increase the federal minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2024. The legislation would increase the wage in seven yearly steps and then index future increases to median wage growth. The federal wage has not been hiked since 2007, although 29 states and Washington, D.C., have set higher minimum wages. While the U.S. Senate is not expected to consider the bill, the issue will be a topic of debate in the upcoming presidential campaign.

Apprenticeships: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a proposed rule to encourage companies, trade associations, colleges, unions and other entities to establish federally recognized apprenticeship programs. The apprenticeships would be paid positions that provide trainees with on-the-job training and classroom education. The initiative is intended to expand the pool of available workers, given the fact that the U.S. currently has many more job openings than skilled workers. Federal funds would be available to help partner educational institutions with companies for a market-based approach that operates within DOL standards for training, structure and curricula.

Repair and Warranty Restrictions: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a one-day workshop to examine ways in which manufacturers may limit third-party automotive replacement and repairs, including limitations on consumer rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Issues covered included the current prevalence of repair restrictions, reasons provided by manufacturers for such restrictions, and whether consumers are aware of their right to install aftermarket products. The workshop also explored the technological and financial impact repair restrictions have on small businesses and consumers. The workshop was a fact-finding effort as the FTC seeks to better understand challenges faced in enforcing the law.

Outdoor Recreation: The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee passed SEMA-supported legislation help to address a $16 billion maintenance backlog on America’s public lands. The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act would create a public-lands fund spending up to $1.3 billion a year between 2020 and 2024. Deferred maintenance projects include rebuilding roadways, bridges, buildings, campgrounds, trails and other vital infrastructure that support outdoor recreation.

STATE UPDATE

Hawaii—Military Vehicles: Hawaii Governor David Ige vetoed legislation that would have allowed for the registration and titling of former military vehicles. In announcing his intent to veto the legislation, Governor Ige explained that he believed the bill would result in vehicles that didn’t conform to emissions standards or federal motor safety standards on Hawaii roadways.

New Brunswick—License Plates: New Brunswick Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart announced that motorists in the province will no longer be required to display a front license plate on passenger vehicles and light trucks weighing less than 4,500 kg. Antique vehicles are unaffected by the change and will continue to be issued a single, rear-mounted license plate.

Pennsylvania—Emissions: A package of bills to reform Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program passed the Senate and currently await consideration in the House Transportation Committee. These bills would replace the annual emissions-testing requirement with a biennial requirement, exempt new vehicles from the I/M program for eight years after the manufacture date, exempt certain counties from testing requirements, and change testing criteria for model-year ’94–’95 vehicles in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia regions.

Rhode Island—License Plates: Legislation in Rhode Island to allow vehicles with year-of-manufacture tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle passed the legislature and awaits consideration by Governor Gina Raimondo.

SEMA News—October 2019

REQUIRED READING

By Juan Torres

The Importance of Youth

Fostering the future generation of leaders in the automotive aftermarket industry is one of SEMA’s key initiatives. To do so, the association has several dedicated programs that help identify career opportunities and support young enthusiasts. From educational programs that encourage youth to be a part of the aftermarket industry to providing financial support to students pursuing careers in an automotive field, SEMA keeps young enthusiasts at the forefront of its industry advocacy efforts. Below are some articles that have been recently written about SEMA’s youth outreach efforts.

By Kristopher Porter

SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) members are encouraged to join SEMA and fellow WTC members, Wednesday October 2, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (PDT) for the WTC Ambassador call—a great way to learn more about WTC and its programs, events and volunteer opportunities. The council will discuss numerous WTC events, including the annual WTC Show Reception, WTC Coffee & Conversation Mixer and the upcoming general membership meeting set to occur in February at the SEMA Garage.

Contact Bryan Harrison, director of councils and networks, for the teleconference code and meeting invite.