The U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved a SEMA-supported bill aimed at reducing the cost of burdensome regulations on business owners and job creators. The “Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011” would require federal agencies to conduct a cost-benefit analysis when issuing new rules.

Each August, members of Congress spend the month in their districts meeting select businesses and organizations to learn more about how policies crafted in Washington directly affect homegrown industries.

The U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a preliminary finding that certain steel wheels from China 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 separately.

The Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) is a national treasure and unique resource of international significance central to the history of motorsports. Since the first speed record attempts in 1914, hundreds of land speed records have been set and broken at the BSF in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes. For decades, the Salt Flats have decreased in size, strength and thickness because salt has been removed by an adjoining potash mining operation and not adequately replaced.

Congressman John Campbell (R-CA) has introduced a bipartisan bill, supported by SEMA, to enable low-volume car manufacturers to provide a range of specialty vehicles for customers nationwide. The legislation directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a regulatory structure to facilitate the production of these cars.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reviewing its rules and guidance documents on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a 1975 federal law that governs consumer product warranties. SEMA submitted several recommendations on how the rules can be expanded to clarify manufacturer responsibilities and consumer protections. 

In 1997, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) was created with the goal of protecting every niche of the automotive hobby against unfair laws and regulations. Since its inception, SAN has seen the coming of a new digital era in which SAN members rely heavily on e-mail, social networking and the World Wide Web to access information. To keep pace with these changes, SAN has streamlined its website, www.semasan.com, to make it easier than ever for SAN members to find the information they need to help protect their passion.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to require companies that sell goods via the Internet and catalogs to collect sales tax in the same manner as “brick-and-mortar” retailers. The “Marketplace Equity Act” (MEA) is similar to the “Main Street Fairness Act” introduced earlier this year. Both bills would allow states to force retailers to collect sales tax from consumers even when the companies otherwise have no physical presence in that state.

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to seek independent scientific analysis on the effects of 15%-blend ethanol gasoline (E15) on vehicles and engines.

SEMA-supported legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate to reduce the cost of burdensome regulations on business owners and job creators. The “Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011” would require federal agencies to conduct a cost-benefit analysis when issuing new rules.