The California State Assembly voted to approve legislation to increase the registration limit for exempted specially constructed vehicle (kit car) registrations from 500 to 750 vehicles per year. The bill will next move to the Senate for consideration, where it is likely to have a much tougher journey. Current law provides for emissions-system certification and a model-year designation for specially constructed vehicles.

Legislation (A.B. 1740) in the California Assembly to increase the registration limit for exempted specially constructed vehicle (kit car) registrations from 500 to 750 vehicles per year was approved by the Appropriations Committee. The bill will next move to the floor of the Assembly for a vote by all members. Under current California policy, specially constructed vehicles that do not receive one of the 500 sequence numbers are subject to a "muddied" titling, registration and smog-check process.

Amidst a difficult economic environment and increased gridlock in Washington, D.C., and in state capitols across the country, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) continues to influence positive legislative action for automotive hobbyists and small businesses serving the specialty-equipment industry with recent achievements that include a pro-hobby provision in the popular "Cash for Clunkers" bill.

Legislation has been reintroduced in the New York Assembly by Assemblymember and State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Chairman Bill Reilich to provide that historical vehicle owners only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration. The $100 one-time fee would replace the current annual fee of $28.75.

Ernie Silvers, chief executive officer of Egge Machine Co., will be honored in a ceremony recognizing the contributions of small business to the state of California. Egge Machine, a SEMA member, was chosen to receive the recognition by State Assemblymember Tony Mendoza. California Small Business Day "A Salute to Small Business" will take place at the Sacramento Convention Center on Tuesday, May 25.

Companies that purchase health care insurance and have less than 25 employees may be able to claim a tax credit. The credit varies according to size and average wages.

New cars with automatic transmissions must now be equipped with an interlock device that requires the brake pedal be pressed before the driver can shift the transmission out of “park." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took the action in response to a law passed in 2008 designed to protect children from vehicle rollaways in which a car is inadvertently shifted into neutral or another gear.

The new requirement applies to all passenger cars and light trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or less and takes effect on September 1, 2010.

A bill targeted for defeat by SEMA to ban the “use and sale of any exhaust pipe that increases the sound emission of any vehicle including motorcycles” was set aside for study by the legislature.

SEMA is opposing legislation to raise the registration fee on antiques, street rods and special-interest vehicles in Kansas.