A federal district court upheld the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2009 finding that greenhouse gases contribute to global warming and threaten public health.

Following months of deliberation, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the “individual mandate” from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is constitutional, drawn from the Congress’ ability to tax. The provision requires that individuals obtain “essential minimum coverage” by 2014. Individuals who do not purchase a basic policy would be subject to a federal penalty.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to tighten the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particle pollution (PM2.5), while retaining the existing standard for coarse particle pollution (PM10).

An effort in Iowa to change labeling requirements on gas pumps across the state to only require labeling for unblended gasoline and E85 officially died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

SEMA-supported legislation to amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their unlimited use as “exhibition” vehicles the entire month of August was passed by the Michigan House of Representatives on a 109 to 1 vote.

SEMA-supported legislation to amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their unlimited use as “exhibition” vehicles the entire month of August was passed by the Michigan House Transportation Committee.

A SEMA-opposed bill to ban motor-vehicle exhaust systems that increase the noise level above the level emitted by the originally installed system died when the Vermont State Legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles never before registered in the state or any other jurisdiction for 10 years from the date of original registration.

SEMA-supported legislation (S.B. 1146) that would amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their unlimited use as “exhibition” vehicles the entire month of August each year was passed by the Michigan State Senate.

SEMA-model legislation that would have allowed vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet an objective noise limit died when the Hawaii State Legislature adjourned for the year.