Legislation to increase biennial registration fees for motor vehicles died when the legislature adjourned for 2014. The bill would have increased the registration fees for private passenger vehicles, excluding trucks, from $24 to $36 for persons under age 65.
Aeromotive Hosts Kansas Representative Kevin Yoder
Like many other leaders in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, Steve Matusek started small. He formed Aeromotive Inc. in 1994 in Lenexa, Kansas, with dreams of applying aerospace techniques and processes to high-performance automotive fuel systems. The company blossomed by relying on three generations of engineering and racing experience. It is now a leading designer and manufacturer of fuel-delivery systems for racing, street and marine applications.
An estimated 2,000 tons of salt were successfully deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was graded and then dried to a hard concrete-like racing surface. Although modest in scope, the project demonstrates that it should be possible to deposit dry salt in targeted areas so as to help preserve our national treasure—the site where land-speed records have been set over the past 100 years.
Legislation to authorize the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles to issue replica year of manufacture plates for antique vehicles was passed by the House Finance Committee and sent to the full House for a vote.
Legislation to exempt reconstructed vehicles that are more than 25 years old from emissions testing was signed into law by Governor Jack Markell.
Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.
A wide range of automotive events are held on the second Friday in July to honor Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). At the request of the SEMA Action Network (SAN), this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.”
Thanks to the efforts of the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has issued a proclamation designating July 2014 as “Automotive Heritage Month” in the province. Nova Scotia joins several states, provinces and cities that have officially recognized the celebration of collector cars.
Legislation to annually designate the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the second weekend in July as "Louisiana Collector Car Appreciation Weekend" was signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will now allow taxpayers to claim the “simplified” research and development (R&D) tax credit on amended tax returns. The Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) was created in 2006 to eliminate more complex calculations required under the original R&D tax credit, making it easier for small and mid-size companies to take advantage of the program.