By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal judge has approved a $5.7 billion settlement between Visa/MasterCard and U.S. merchants over fees charged each time a customer swipes a credit or debit card. The ruling follows years of litigation over allegations that the fees were improperly fixed. The retailers argued that they have limited power to negotiate the “swipe fee” amounts that may range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price. The financial firms counter that they are providing a service that benefits the merchants. If it is not appealed, it would represent the largest private antitrust settlement in history. 

Two years ago, Congress directed the Federal Reserve to place caps on debit card swipe fees (but not credit cards). The fees are currently set at 21 cents per transaction plus 1–3 cents more to cover fraud prevention and other adjustments. A court has rejected that amount as too high but is awaiting a new recommendation from the Federal Reserve. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal judge has approved a $5.7 billion settlement between Visa/MasterCard and U.S. merchants over fees charged each time a customer swipes a credit or debit card. The ruling follows years of litigation over allegations that the fees were improperly fixed. The retailers argued that they have limited power to negotiate the “swipe fee” amounts that may range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price. The financial firms counter that they are providing a service that benefits the merchants. If it is not appealed, it would represent the largest private antitrust settlement in history. 

Two years ago, Congress directed the Federal Reserve to place caps on debit card swipe fees (but not credit cards). The fees are currently set at 21 cents per transaction plus 1–3 cents more to cover fraud prevention and other adjustments. A court has rejected that amount as too high but is awaiting a new recommendation from the Federal Reserve. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	Johnson Valley hosts the famous “King of the Hammers” Race, which drew more than 50,000 people to the 2013 event.

SEMA praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a measure to protect off-highway vehicle (OHV) access to Johnson Valley, California. The Senate is scheduled to approve the bill on December 19. The vote will end a six-year clash over access to 189,000 acres of Southern California desert between the military and OHV users. The bill will then be signed into law by the President.

Under a provision included within the NDAA, 79,000 acres of Johnson Valley is being transferred to the adjoining Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. The legislation also creates the “Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area,” providing federal protection to more than 96,000 acres established in 1980 for OHV recreation by the state of California. It is the first time an OHV area has been provided national recognition. Twice per year, 53,000 acres of the OHV area will be provided to the Marine Corps for 30 days of military training exercises. No dud-producing ordinance will be used at that time in order to ensure safety and continued access to the area.

“SEMA commends Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) for the instrumental role he has played in reaching a reasonable shared-use solution,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA joined with a number of other organizations representing the off-road community to support this provision that addresses the nation’s military training needs while providing access for recreational activities. We consider this ground-breaking provision a positive result for both the OHV community and the United States Marine Corps.”

The Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area will continue to be controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It contains a unique mix of open desert, dry lake beds and formidable rock-crawling formations that attract four-wheeler enthusiasts from around the world. The area hosts the famous “King of the Hammers” Race, which drew more than 50,000 people to the 2013 event. The BLM estimates that Johnson Valley generates more than $71 million annually for local economies—a number that will continue to grow.

Prior to being elected to Congress in 2012, Rep. Cook served a 26-year distinguished military career in the Marine Corps before retiring as a colonel. He has lived for years in the area that includes Johnson Valley and the Twentynine Palms base and represented those communities in the California state legislature before his election to Congress.

SEMA worked collaboratively with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC), Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA). CMRC includes ORBA, California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (Cal4Wheel), California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), American Motorcyclist Association National (AMA), AMA District 36, AMA District 37 Off-Road, San Diego Off-Road Coalition (SDORC), American Sand Association (ASA) and California-Nevada Snowmobile Association (CNSA).

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

Links:

2014 National Defense Authorization Act
Map of Johnson Valley

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	Johnson Valley hosts the famous “King of the Hammers” Race, which drew more than 50,000 people to the 2013 event.

SEMA praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a measure to protect off-highway vehicle (OHV) access to Johnson Valley, California. The Senate is scheduled to approve the bill on December 19. The vote will end a six-year clash over access to 189,000 acres of Southern California desert between the military and OHV users. The bill will then be signed into law by the President.

Under a provision included within the NDAA, 79,000 acres of Johnson Valley is being transferred to the adjoining Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. The legislation also creates the “Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area,” providing federal protection to more than 96,000 acres established in 1980 for OHV recreation by the state of California. It is the first time an OHV area has been provided national recognition. Twice per year, 53,000 acres of the OHV area will be provided to the Marine Corps for 30 days of military training exercises. No dud-producing ordinance will be used at that time in order to ensure safety and continued access to the area.

“SEMA commends Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) for the instrumental role he has played in reaching a reasonable shared-use solution,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA joined with a number of other organizations representing the off-road community to support this provision that addresses the nation’s military training needs while providing access for recreational activities. We consider this ground-breaking provision a positive result for both the OHV community and the United States Marine Corps.”

The Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area will continue to be controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It contains a unique mix of open desert, dry lake beds and formidable rock-crawling formations that attract four-wheeler enthusiasts from around the world. The area hosts the famous “King of the Hammers” Race, which drew more than 50,000 people to the 2013 event. The BLM estimates that Johnson Valley generates more than $71 million annually for local economies—a number that will continue to grow.

Prior to being elected to Congress in 2012, Rep. Cook served a 26-year distinguished military career in the Marine Corps before retiring as a colonel. He has lived for years in the area that includes Johnson Valley and the Twentynine Palms base and represented those communities in the California state legislature before his election to Congress.

SEMA worked collaboratively with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC), Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA). CMRC includes ORBA, California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (Cal4Wheel), California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), American Motorcyclist Association National (AMA), AMA District 36, AMA District 37 Off-Road, San Diego Off-Road Coalition (SDORC), American Sand Association (ASA) and California-Nevada Snowmobile Association (CNSA).

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

Links:

2014 National Defense Authorization Act
Map of Johnson Valley

By AJ Carney

SEMA's Town Hall Meetings provide members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region.

SEMA invites industry professionals to the first stop of the 2014 Town Hall tour, where members and prospective members will gather at Flowmaster, B&M & Hurst Warehouse in Sacramento, California, Wednesday, January 29, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

Panelists include:

• Nate Shelton – B&M Racing and Performance Products Inc.
• Joel Ayres – Bedslide/Takit Inc.
• John Hotchkis – Hotchkis Performance LLC

SEMA's Town Hall Meetings provide members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions provide members with the chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. They also give SEMA staff valuable feedback that will help identify current benefits to enhance members' business operations and better meet their needs.

SEMA has led Town Hall Meetings in several cities across the United States. We invite you to attend a Town Hall near you.

For more information or to register, visit www.sema.org/townhall/sacramento or contact Andrea “AJ” Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

By AJ Carney

SEMA's Town Hall Meetings provide members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region.

SEMA invites industry professionals to the first stop of the 2014 Town Hall tour, where members and prospective members will gather at Flowmaster, B&M & Hurst Warehouse in Sacramento, California, Wednesday, January 29, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

Panelists include:

• Nate Shelton – B&M Racing and Performance Products Inc.
• Joel Ayres – Bedslide/Takit Inc.
• John Hotchkis – Hotchkis Performance LLC

SEMA's Town Hall Meetings provide members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions provide members with the chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. They also give SEMA staff valuable feedback that will help identify current benefits to enhance members' business operations and better meet their needs.

SEMA has led Town Hall Meetings in several cities across the United States. We invite you to attend a Town Hall near you.

For more information or to register, visit www.sema.org/townhall/sacramento or contact Andrea “AJ” Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

	SEMA Show speaker and noted author Christine Corelli will kick-off SEMA's 2014 webinar series, Thursday, January 9.

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.

By SEMA Editors

	SEMA Show speaker and noted author Christine Corelli will kick-off SEMA's 2014 webinar series, Thursday, January 9.

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.

	Employees of SEMA-member companies, like Laura Conrad (above) of Kahn Media, have taken advantage of the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program and have received money to help repay student loans.

By Jason Catullo

Employees of SEMA-members companies who are currently paying off students loans may be able to receive money through the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund's Loan Forgiveness Program. Those employee selected to receive the award will receive $2,000 toward outstanding student loans.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. The SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program is dedicated to aiding recent graduates in getting off to a successful start in their automotive aftermarket careers.

“I’ve received Loan Forgiveness funds from SEMA, and it’s been a huge help in repaying my student loans and reducing what I pay in interest,” said Laura Conrad of Kahn Media. “It’s really great to work in an industry that is so supportive of recent graduates and to have my hard work recognized by SEMA.”

Here are the requirements needed to be eligible for assistance through SEMA Loan Forgiveness:

• Have completed a program of study at an accredited university, college or private vocational/technical program in the United States, with one of the following:
  
  
  • Graduate level degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Associates degree
  • Certificate of program completion

• Have graduated with a minimum 2.5 grade point average

• Have a minimum $2,000 student loan(s) outstanding

• Have a minimum of one full year of full-time employment at a SEMA member company by the application deadline

For more information or to begin the application process, visit www.sema.org/scholarship. The deadline to complete the application is Friday, March 28, 2014. For additional information, contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org.

	Employees of SEMA-member companies, like Laura Conrad (above) of Kahn Media, have taken advantage of the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program and have received money to help repay student loans.

By Jason Catullo

Employees of SEMA-members companies who are currently paying off students loans may be able to receive money through the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund's Loan Forgiveness Program. Those employee selected to receive the award will receive $2,000 toward outstanding student loans.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. The SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program is dedicated to aiding recent graduates in getting off to a successful start in their automotive aftermarket careers.

“I’ve received Loan Forgiveness funds from SEMA, and it’s been a huge help in repaying my student loans and reducing what I pay in interest,” said Laura Conrad of Kahn Media. “It’s really great to work in an industry that is so supportive of recent graduates and to have my hard work recognized by SEMA.”

Here are the requirements needed to be eligible for assistance through SEMA Loan Forgiveness:

• Have completed a program of study at an accredited university, college or private vocational/technical program in the United States, with one of the following:
  
  
  • Graduate level degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Associates degree
  • Certificate of program completion

• Have graduated with a minimum 2.5 grade point average

• Have a minimum $2,000 student loan(s) outstanding

• Have a minimum of one full year of full-time employment at a SEMA member company by the application deadline

For more information or to begin the application process, visit www.sema.org/scholarship. The deadline to complete the application is Friday, March 28, 2014. For additional information, contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org.