The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a draft “Environmental Assessment” (EA) regarding requirements for replenishing salt to the Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) when potash is mined on adjoining lands.

SEMA submitted comments to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles in support of a proposed regulation that would exempt classic vehicles and classic rods, among other hobby vehicles, from emissions testing if the owner certifies that the vehicle has not been driven more than 5,000 miles the previous year.

In a move welcomed by SEMA, President Obama directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw its proposal to tighten the national air-quality standards for ozone—the main ingredient in smog.

No one appreciates victory more than those who have been near defeat, and no one appreciates help more than those who have nearly fallen. As part of this issue is devoted to legislative and regulatory themes, we asked executives from SEMA-member companies to comment on some of the programs that have helped them overcome adversity and improve the marketplace for both the industry and the consumers who benefit from it.

As of November 14, 2011, businesses will be required to display a poster informing workers of their right to unionize and bargain collectively with the employer. The 11- x 17-in. notice is required under a rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) following an extensive rulemaking procedure. The poster can be downloaded for free from the NLRB website as of November 1. 

Last January, President Obama issued an Executive Order directing all federal agencies to review their regulations in an attempt to eliminate rules that hinder economic growth. In response, the agencies have identified more than 500 regulatory requirements that can be dropped and potentially save $10 billion in productivity and elimination of paperwork. 

All California automobile service providers are required to check tire pressures for every vehicle being maintained or repaired at their facility as of September 2010. The law applies to auto maintenance/repair providers but not to auto parts distributers/retailers, auto body/paint facilities, auto glass installers or wreckers/dismantlers. 

SEMA is supporting Michigan legislation (H.B. 4885) that would prohibit the state from imposing a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) tax or mileage-based user fee on motor vehicles.

A year ago, we wrote a column discussing the divided American political landscape in which voters were attempting to find the “change” for which they voted. The public clearly was not prepared for the amount of spending pushed through Congress in 2009 to confront the recession and the resulting jobs loss. Having turned the tables in 2010 with an overwhelming shift in power, Washington politicians still seem to be struggling to understand what voters intend when they vote for “change.” In the coming months, perhaps the most important question to be answered by voters is what they expect the role of government to be.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique-vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year (April 1 through October 31) was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn. Under the new law, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months (November 1 through March 31).