Legislation was introduced in Massachusetts to establish a pilot program to impose a vehicle mileage user fee. The bill is intended to supplement the gas tax and implement alternative ways to raise transportation revenue for the state.
SEMA is opposing Michigan legislation to require the issuance of two license plates for motor vehicles. The state currently only requires one.
Over the years, SEMA has received many requests from members seeking information about federal and state emissions compliance requirements. To assist these members in understanding the requirements and to identify ways to minimize both cost and time in reaching compliance status, SEMA has collected information that addresses these issues in a very user-friendly way.
2013: The Year in Review
The laws and regulations that govern how SEMA members do business have a continuous impact on the way automotive specialty-equipment products are made, distributed and marketed. The charge of the SEMA Government Affairs office is to stay on top of relevant state and federal legislation and regulations to ensure the best possible outcome for the membership. The following are just a few examples of critical legislative/regulatory issues that the SEMA government affairs team was involved in this year.
Transport Canada has updated its tire standards to harmonize them with counterpart standards in the United States. Canada’s Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations, 1995 (MVTSR, 1995) are being revised and relocated within the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acknowledged that a 2007 federal law sets unrealistic mandates on the amount of ethanol that can be blended into gasoline.
At a gathering of state lawmakers during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell was named chairman of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. Howell was appointed to the post after the November 5 election of New York Assemblyman Bill Reilich to the office of City Supervisor in Greece, New York. Reilich had served in the role for six years and will continue as chairman emeritus.
SEMA Action Network (SAN)
Great strength comes with great numbers. Although thousands are already doing their part to heed the call, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) is once again enlisting SEMA Show attendees to join the cause. The SAN’s mission to keep SEMA-member businesses free from unnecessarily burdensome laws and regulations remains critical.
Founded in 1997, this growing alliance is comprised of U.S. and Canadian forces from the industry and hobby united to advance automotive freedoms.
Legislation to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners was passed by the full Wisconsin Assembly.
Legislation that would require headlights on motor vehicles to display a “white light” without defining the term has been introduced in the Ohio State Senate. The bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration.