The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has issued its policies and procedures for issuance of titles and specialty license plates to vehicle owners seeking registration as street rods or custom vehicles. 

SEMA continues to oppose decisions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to permit the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15). The EPA has previously granted waivers to market the fuel for model-year 2001 and newer vehicles, despite industry concern that it poses a risk to older vehicles and certain high-performance specialty equipment of any age.

A SEMA-supported bill to create a statutory definition of a “vintage travel trailer” and provide for a one-time $40 registration fee was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert.

So far this year, thousands of new legislative initiatives have been introduced across the U.S. and Canada, hundreds of which are being closely tracked and analyzed by SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN).

Resolutions have been introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives urging the City and County of Honolulu to create a 10% vehicle registration credit for residents who drive limited miles in their vehicles, like rarely used hobby cars.

SEMA-supported legislation to create a registration class and special license plate for special interest motor vehicles was signed into law by Governor Dave Heineman. The new law authorizes owners of special interest motor vehicles to operate them on Nebraska’s roads displaying a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle.

Congress has approved bipartisan legislation designed to remove regulatory barriers for companies going public and seeking to attract investors. The SEMA-supported “Jumpstart Our Business Startups” (JOBS) Act makes it easier for small companies to comply with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules when securing outside capital investment.

Legislation (H.B. 5405) to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” was approved by the Connecticut Joint Committee on Planning and Development by a narrow 10–9 vote.

The hearing scheduled for March 27, 2012 on California Senate Bill (S.B. 1224) has been postponed until April 10, 2012.

The U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued final duty rates for certain steel wheels from China that are being sold at less than fair value in the United States. The subject wheels range from 18 to 24.5 in. in diameter and include rims and discs whether imported as an assembly or sold separately.