By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.

U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5434, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2019 (RPM Act of 2019). The bipartisan RPM Act of 2019 protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete. SEMA is urging its members and all racing enthusiasts to contact their members of Congress and ask for them to support the bill. To send a letter to your members of Congress (it takes less than 30 seconds), visit www.sema.org/rpm.

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways. 

“SEMA looks forward to working with Congress to enact the RPM Act and make permanent the Clean Air Act’s original intention that race vehicle conversions are legal,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We thank Representatives McHenry and Ruiz for introducing a bipartisan bill that will protect racing and the businesses that produce, install and sell the parts that enable racers to compete."

The RPM Act is well positioned to become law in 2020. The bill cleared several major legislative hurdles in the previous Congress, including passage by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and hearings in the House and Senate. The bipartisan RPM Act included five other original sponsors: Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Bill Posey (R-FL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX).

H.R. 5434 is the House counterpart to the Senate’s version of the bill, S. 2602, which was introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and currently has 28 bipartisan cosponsors. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional. Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually. Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.

U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5434, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2019 (RPM Act of 2019). The bipartisan RPM Act of 2019 protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete. SEMA is urging its members and all racing enthusiasts to contact their members of Congress and ask for them to support the bill. To send a letter to your members of Congress (it takes less than 30 seconds), visit www.sema.org/rpm.

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways. 

“SEMA looks forward to working with Congress to enact the RPM Act and make permanent the Clean Air Act’s original intention that race vehicle conversions are legal,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We thank Representatives McHenry and Ruiz for introducing a bipartisan bill that will protect racing and the businesses that produce, install and sell the parts that enable racers to compete."

The RPM Act is well positioned to become law in 2020. The bill cleared several major legislative hurdles in the previous Congress, including passage by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and hearings in the House and Senate. The bipartisan RPM Act included five other original sponsors: Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Bill Posey (R-FL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX).

H.R. 5434 is the House counterpart to the Senate’s version of the bill, S. 2602, which was introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and currently has 28 bipartisan cosponsors. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional. Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually. Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.

U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5434, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2019 (RPM Act of 2019). The bipartisan RPM Act of 2019 protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete. SEMA is urging its members and all racing enthusiasts to contact their members of Congress and ask for them to support the bill. To send a letter to your members of Congress (it takes less than 30 seconds), visit www.sema.org/rpm.

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways. 

“SEMA looks forward to working with Congress to enact the RPM Act and make permanent the Clean Air Act’s original intention that race vehicle conversions are legal,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We thank Representatives McHenry and Ruiz for introducing a bipartisan bill that will protect racing and the businesses that produce, install and sell the parts that enable racers to compete."

The RPM Act is well positioned to become law in 2020. The bill cleared several major legislative hurdles in the previous Congress, including passage by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and hearings in the House and Senate. The bipartisan RPM Act included five other original sponsors: Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Bill Posey (R-FL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX).

H.R. 5434 is the House counterpart to the Senate’s version of the bill, S. 2602, which was introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and currently has 28 bipartisan cosponsors. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional. Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually. Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By Katie Hurst

The SEMA CuSTEM Car Experience, which engages middle-school students by blending STEM Education with automotive customization, will kick off another season this winter and spring.

The SEMA CuSTEM Car Experience, which engages middle-school students by blending STEM Education with automotive customization, will kick off another season this winter and spring. The events, held in partnership with Championship Auto Shows, will take place in six different cities during the spring semester. Each event will bring in 450–500 middle-school-aged students to experience the car show and a design challenge to build their own custom car models.

SEMA is providing aluminum water bottles to each student, and to keep up with what’s trending, a sticker bar to customize their water bottles. Aftermarket companies are invited to send stickers with their company logos so the students can use them to customize their bottles. The students will walk away from the day with a fun and engaging automotive experience and a car-culture-branded giveaway.

Stickers can be sent to:

SEMA c/o Katie Hurst
1575 S. Valley Vista Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Suggested amount: 300–500+

For more information on the SEMA CuSTEM Car Experience, contact Katie Hurst.

By Katie Hurst

The SEMA CuSTEM Car Experience, which engages middle-school students by blending STEM Education with automotive customization, will kick off another season this winter and spring.

The SEMA CuSTEM Car Experience, which engages middle-school students by blending STEM Education with automotive customization, will kick off another season this winter and spring. The events, held in partnership with Championship Auto Shows, will take place in six different cities during the spring semester. Each event will bring in 450–500 middle-school-aged students to experience the car show and a design challenge to build their own custom car models.

SEMA is providing aluminum water bottles to each student, and to keep up with what’s trending, a sticker bar to customize their water bottles. Aftermarket companies are invited to send stickers with their company logos so the students can use them to customize their bottles. The students will walk away from the day with a fun and engaging automotive experience and a car-culture-branded giveaway.

Stickers can be sent to:

SEMA c/o Katie Hurst
1575 S. Valley Vista Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Suggested amount: 300–500+

For more information on the SEMA CuSTEM Car Experience, contact Katie Hurst.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (S.B. 1712) in New Jersey is going to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.

Legislation (S.B. 1712) in New Jersey that would require new car dealers to provide purchasers written notice that it is illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void a warranty or deny coverage because aftermarket or recycled parts were installed, or because someone other than the dealer-performed service passed the legislature and now goes to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.

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

Legislation (S.B. 1712) in New Jersey is going to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.

Legislation (S.B. 1712) in New Jersey that would require new car dealers to provide purchasers written notice that it is illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void a warranty or deny coverage because aftermarket or recycled parts were installed, or because someone other than the dealer-performed service passed the legislature and now goes to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.

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

Legislation (S.B. 1712) in New Jersey is going to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.

Legislation (S.B. 1712) in New Jersey that would require new car dealers to provide purchasers written notice that it is illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void a warranty or deny coverage because aftermarket or recycled parts were installed, or because someone other than the dealer-performed service passed the legislature and now goes to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.

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

Legislation (S.B. 1712) in New Jersey is going to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.

Legislation (S.B. 1712) in New Jersey that would require new car dealers to provide purchasers written notice that it is illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void a warranty or deny coverage because aftermarket or recycled parts were installed, or because someone other than the dealer-performed service passed the legislature and now goes to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.

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

Many SEMA-member manufacturers, distributors and retailers have been impacted by the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court Wayfair decision that allows states to require sales tax collections based solely on the volume of sales into that state.

Many SEMA-member manufacturers, distributors and retailers have been impacted by the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court Wayfair decision that allows states to require sales tax collections based solely on the volume of sales into that state (economic nexus). The Court overturned its 1992 Quill decision, which previously required a company to have a physical presence before it could be compelled to collect sales tax. SEMA has compiled resources to help companies understand whether Wayfair impacts their business and provide additional information to help them respond if necessary.  

For more information, visit SEMA’s website.