SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles has been reintroduced in the New York State Senate and Assembly.

Legislation has been introduced in Texas to increase the emissions inspection period from an annual requirement to every five years. This bill would not affect a requirement that an emissions inspection be conducted during an initial inspection period in a county covered by testing.

SEMA-opposed legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” or “modified antique motor vehicles” was approved by the Connecticut Joint Committee on Planning and Development by a narrow 10–9 vote.

Working with state lawmakers, SEMA helped amend legislation that originally threatened to ban any covering that reduced the visibility of required motor vehicle lighting.

The U.S. Congress will soon hold hearings on whether to modify the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). The law mandates that an increasing amount of ethanol or other biofuels be blended into gasoline each year—levels that may be unattainable in the current marketplace.

Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Falken Tire, Tread Lightly!, Scion, Motor Trend, Falken Tire, Galpin Auto Sports and more.

The next SEMA Measuring Session will feature ’14 GM next-generation fullsize light-duty trucks, Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at the Warren Technical Center in Warren, Michigan.

For one week each year, the SEMA Show gathers the largest collection of outfitted, upgraded dirt shredders, people haulers and street machines that exist with the specialty-equipment industry.

The shooters at KGP Photography caught a prototype for the facelifted Charger SRT8 testing in the wintry north, providing a first glimpse at the refreshed sport sedan.

Candidates for the 2013–2016 SEMA Board of Directors election have been announced. A total of eight candidates are vying for four open seats on the SEMA Board of Directors.