SEMA Members Join Third Annual Celebration

On July 13, 2012, SEMA-member companies joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the third annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Nearly 200 official events were held in the United States, Canada and Australia to commemorate the day, which was designated by SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution 452, sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). Tester and Burr also serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, a group of more than 90 lawmakers who recognize the unique cultural impact of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.

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.

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.

Some Legislative Proposals Follow Predictable Patterns

Among the greatest challenges of any business is the effort and skill required to stay current or even ahead of what is popular. Predicting trends and following their progress are key elements to success not only in business, but also in politics. Just as businesses are subject to consumer sentiments and economic fluctuations, timely legislative initiatives and popular regulatory proposals can be shaped by any number of national variables and are often broadly applicable. The following are several important legislative trends affecting the automotive specialty-equipment industry that continue to feature prominently in state and federal government agendas.

Upcoming Election Is Yet Another Chance to End Partisan Gridlock

In 2008 and 2010, voters sent a clear signal that “business as usual” in Washington—partisan gridlock, stagnant growth and increased spending—would no longer be tolerated. The American public vowed to remove from office those lawmakers who refused to accept the demands of the electorate. Despite this clear ultimatum, deep political divisions and gamesmanship rule Congress. As business owners struggle to create jobs and lead our economic recovery, lawmakers have squandered opportunities to provide a stable climate for growth.

How SEMA Represents Members as a Government Watchdog

The laws and regulations that govern how SEMA members do business have a growing impact on the way automotive specialty equipment is made, distributed and marketed. SEMA has been a strong industry advocate on legislative and regulatory policies since its founding in 1963. SEMA continues to pursue federal, state and local laws that are limited, reasonable and, ultimately, help our members’ businesses succeed and prosper.

SEMA places a wealth of legislative/regulatory information at members’ fingertips to help their businesses succeed. All of the material can be accessed through the “government affairs” page on the SEMA website at www.SEMA.org. The legislative and regulatory materials are also posted on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website (www.SEMAsan.com) as a way to involve member-company customers, the enthusiast community.

SEMA maintains an experienced government affairs staff in Washington, D.C., to further the priority policies of the SEMA membership. Whether it is protecting a niche marketplace from an unnecessary regulatory burden or expanding sales opportunities through proactive legislation, the government affairs team is dedicated to helping members succeed and prosper.

SEMA’s government affairs and technical staff has a healthy agenda of regulatory issues that relate to and have impact upon the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Virtually every day, issues are addressed that can affect the short- and long-term interests of SEMA members and their customers. The following are some current and representative examples of challenges being routinely addressed.