By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The California Coastal Commission heard the voices of thousands of OHV enthusiasts when it voted to continue permitting OHV use at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA).

The California Coastal Commission heard the voices of thousands of OHV enthusiasts when it voted to continue permitting OHV use at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). During its July 11 meeting in San Luis Obispo, the Commission rejected staff recommendations to further restrict motorized recreational access, with the eventual goal of prohibiting OHV and motorized vehicles at Oceano Dunes SVRA.  

Oceano Dunes encompasses nearly 3,600 acres along the Pacific Ocean, of which OHV use is now limited to 1,500 acres or less. Oceano Dunes became a state OHV park in the ’80s and is the only such park on California’s coast. SEMA submitted written comments and also asked OHV businesses and enthusiasts to contact the Commission to highlight the importance of allowing responsible OHV use at Oceano Dunes without unreasonable restrictions.

As a result of emails, letters and the many enthusiasts who appeared at the July 11 meeting, the Commission voted 8–2 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.  

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Rhode Island legislature passed SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 621/H.B. 5888) to allow vehicles with year of manufacture (YOM) tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle.

The Rhode Island legislature passed SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 621/H.B. 5888) to allow vehicles with year of manufacture (YOM) tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. The measures currently await consideration by Governor Gina Raimondo.

All motor vehicles 25 model years old and older are eligible for courtesy YOM plates in Rhode Island.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Rhode Island legislature passed SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 621/H.B. 5888) to allow vehicles with year of manufacture (YOM) tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle.

The Rhode Island legislature passed SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 621/H.B. 5888) to allow vehicles with year of manufacture (YOM) tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. The measures currently await consideration by Governor Gina Raimondo.

All motor vehicles 25 model years old and older are eligible for courtesy YOM plates in Rhode Island.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Rhode Island legislature passed SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 621/H.B. 5888) to allow vehicles with year of manufacture (YOM) tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle.

The Rhode Island legislature passed SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 621/H.B. 5888) to allow vehicles with year of manufacture (YOM) tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. The measures currently await consideration by Governor Gina Raimondo.

All motor vehicles 25 model years old and older are eligible for courtesy YOM plates in Rhode Island.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Rhode Island legislature passed SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 621/H.B. 5888) to allow vehicles with year of manufacture (YOM) tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle.

The Rhode Island legislature passed SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 621/H.B. 5888) to allow vehicles with year of manufacture (YOM) tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. The measures currently await consideration by Governor Gina Raimondo.

All motor vehicles 25 model years old and older are eligible for courtesy YOM plates in Rhode Island.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By Kristopher Porter

Nominations are now being accepted for SEMA’s prestigious annual awards—take some time to learn about the award categories and submit your nomination.

The awards to be presented at the 2019 SEMA Show are: GEN-III Innovator, Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year.

Submit your nominations.

The awards honor individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market industry within the past year. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2019 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 7, during the 2019 SEMA Show.

Be sure to check out the SEMA Industry awards site where you can gain knowledge of the rich history of award winners, read about the award criteria, view photos from previous banquets and nominate industry leaders to win awards in multiple categories.

By Kristopher Porter

Nominations are now being accepted for SEMA’s prestigious annual awards—take some time to learn about the award categories and submit your nomination.

The awards to be presented at the 2019 SEMA Show are: GEN-III Innovator, Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year.

Submit your nominations.

The awards honor individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market industry within the past year. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2019 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 7, during the 2019 SEMA Show.

Be sure to check out the SEMA Industry awards site where you can gain knowledge of the rich history of award winners, read about the award criteria, view photos from previous banquets and nominate industry leaders to win awards in multiple categories.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is joining with the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) to discuss best practices and identify new cost-effective strategies to protect your intellectual property (IP). The Aftermarket IP Forum will be held Thursday, August 15, from 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., at the Ford Conference and Events Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Protecting IP rights is more critical than ever due to increased counterfeiting, patent infringement, gray market challenges and trademark infringement cases. Topics at the Aftermarket IP Forum will include:

• Protecting Brands on Mega Online Marketplaces
• The U.S. Government is Your Ally
• Strategic Use of TROs for Trade Shows
• Is Inside Counsel Required to Fight Infringers?
• Practical Tactics for Fighting Gray Market Goods
• Why Do the Bad Guys Pick on the Aftermarket?
• IP Activities in China

For more details and to register, visit the AASA website.

As a SEMA member, you can attend at the discounted rate of $249 by entering the code, “AA_Discount_Partner” when you register.

Note: To register, you need to create an AASA login number and password. It’s simple and quick, and you don’t need to be an AASA member.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is joining with the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) to discuss best practices and identify new cost-effective strategies to protect your intellectual property (IP). The Aftermarket IP Forum will be held Thursday, August 15, from 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., at the Ford Conference and Events Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Protecting IP rights is more critical than ever due to increased counterfeiting, patent infringement, gray market challenges and trademark infringement cases. Topics at the Aftermarket IP Forum will include:

• Protecting Brands on Mega Online Marketplaces
• The U.S. Government is Your Ally
• Strategic Use of TROs for Trade Shows
• Is Inside Counsel Required to Fight Infringers?
• Practical Tactics for Fighting Gray Market Goods
• Why Do the Bad Guys Pick on the Aftermarket?
• IP Activities in China

For more details and to register, visit the AASA website.

As a SEMA member, you can attend at the discounted rate of $249 by entering the code, “AA_Discount_Partner” when you register.

Note: To register, you need to create an AASA login number and password. It’s simple and quick, and you don’t need to be an AASA member.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is joining with the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) to discuss best practices and identify new cost-effective strategies to protect your intellectual property (IP). The Aftermarket IP Forum will be held Thursday, August 15, from 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., at the Ford Conference and Events Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Protecting IP rights is more critical than ever due to increased counterfeiting, patent infringement, gray market challenges and trademark infringement cases. Topics at the Aftermarket IP Forum will include:

• Protecting Brands on Mega Online Marketplaces
• The U.S. Government is Your Ally
• Strategic Use of TROs for Trade Shows
• Is Inside Counsel Required to Fight Infringers?
• Practical Tactics for Fighting Gray Market Goods
• Why Do the Bad Guys Pick on the Aftermarket?
• IP Activities in China

For more details and to register, visit the AASA website.

As a SEMA member, you can attend at the discounted rate of $249 by entering the code, “AA_Discount_Partner” when you register.

Note: To register, you need to create an AASA login number and password. It’s simple and quick, and you don’t need to be an AASA member.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.