An important reminder to SEMA’s California membership: Please ask your employees to vote “YES” on California Proposition 23 (Prop 23), an initiative to suspend implementation of the state’s “Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.” Prop 23 is on the November 2 California statewide ballot.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is providing a one-year delay before employers are required to report the dollar amount of the health insurance premiums paid for each employee on their W-2s. The amount will be listed as a nontaxable employer fringe benefit.

Legislation introduced in the Pennsylvania legislature threatens to increase fees for all vehicle owners. Under the bill, general passenger cars will face a $13 increase in their registration fee, while the one-time registration fee for antique, classic and collectible vehicles will go up by $27 (from $75 to $102), and the initial registration fee for street rods by $29 (from $20 to $51). Additionally, these fees would be increased again each subsequent year following enactment.

The 2010 midterm elections are less than two weeks away, and campaigns throughout the nation are making their last-minute pitches to voters. Many voters may have already made up their minds, driven by disappointment in the current leadership in Washington and a renewed outcry against high unemployment, stagnant economic growth, and increasing taxes and regulations.

A Wisconsin-proposed regulation to prohibit the registration of certain imported collector vehicles has been put on hold. Members of the Senate Transportation Committee voted by ballot to send the proposed rule, Trans 123, back to the Department of Transportation for revisions due to the vocal opposition of Wisconsin enthusiast groups, including members of the SEMA Action Network (SAN). Under an agreement reached with department officials, the rule will not be resubmitted but will be considered by lawmakers in the 2011 legislative session. The measure threatened to prohibit the registration of imported vehicles manufactured after 1967 that did not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is updating its “Green Guides,” which are intended to help marketers avoid misleading environmental claims. The Guides were first issued in 1992 but have not been revised since 1998. The Guides cover: 1) general principles that apply to all environmental marketing claims; 2) consumer perception of claims and marketing substantiation of claims; and 3) avoiding consumer deception.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted goals to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other greenhouse gases from cars and light trucks in 18 urban areas around the state. While the goals are nonbinding, local jurisdictions will need to demonstrate a likelihood of success in order to take advantage of other incentives, such as streamlined permitting for development projects.

Many SEMA members have secured design or utility patents from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office only to discover that their patented product is being infringed by imports. If litigation is ultimately necessary to combat the problem, there are two possible forums in which to pursue a grievance, the U.S. International Trade Commission and a federal district court. Each forum has advantages and disadvantages.

SEMA applauded the signing into law of the “Small Business Jobs and Credit Act” (H.R. 5297), including $12 billion in tax incentives for small businesses and creating a $30 billion resource to activate greater lending to small businesses by community banks.

This year’s mid-term elections are the most anticipated in recent memory. Last week, SEMA provided a complete list of voter registration/absentee ballot forms for all 50 states (click here to find your state and to vote early). We also encourage SEMA members to become engaged by supporting SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC). This election stands to be one of the most important in many years with the potential to deliver historic results. The balance of power in Washington is currently in question, and without the active participation of SEMA members, our industry will miss the opportunity to raise our voice and make a noticeable impact.