Legialative News: US and Canada; from SEMA Action Network

[barebonesracecars]

The Long and Winding Road
Pro-Hobby Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill Passes Massachusetts Legislature, Vetoed by Governor

The road to success is often marked with unsuspected twists and turns. This is exactly what SAN members in Massachusetts have experienced over the last month in working to pass a titling and registration bill for street rods and custom vehicles.

After working tirelessly for the last two legislative sessions it seemed like the end was in sight when the measure was approved by the Legislature in the closing days of 2008. However, it was “pocket vetoed” by Governor Deval Patrick after he failed to sign the bill within 10 days of receiving it. The SEMA Government Affairs office will work to uncover and mitigate concerns raised by the Governor as the bill may be reintroduced this year.

It was through the persistence of one particular individual, Methuen City Councilman Joe Leone, that the bill was even given consideration amongst the chaos that exists in the closing days of a legislative session. An avid enthusiast and owner of a FFR Roadster, Leone worked to educate lawmakers on the positive benefits that this bill would have on the enthusiast community.

“We are deeply indebted to Joe for his determined efforts to get the bill through the Legislature,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs. “From countless e-mails, phone calls and visits to the State House, he helped to ensure that this pro-hobby bill would receive attention from lawmakers and has pledged to continue in this effort.” In quoting Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood from his new movie Gran Torino, Leone joked with SEMA staff in saying, “I finish things...that’s what I do.”

Based on the SEMA-model Street Rod/Custom Vehicle bill, the bill defined a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. The bill allowed kit cars and replica vehicles to be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicles they most closely resemble.

Special thanks are also due to Dana and Lenny Schaeffer of Chop-Shop Customs; Paul Saulnier of the Dominators Car Club; John Buchanan of the Mass Cruisers Car Club; and to the officers and member clubs of the Massachusetts Association of Automobile Clubs.

To date the SEMA-model bill has been enacted in one form or another in Washington state (1999), California (2001), Illinois (2002), Missouri (2004), Rhode Island (2004), Hawaii (2004), Montana (2005), Maine (2005), Colorado (2006), Arkansas (2007), Virginia (2007), Nevada (2007), Florida (2007), Idaho (2008), Iowa (2008) and Tennessee (2008). The New York, New Jersey and Wyoming Legislatures have already or will introduce the SEMA model for the 2009 legislative session.

For more information or to download a copy of the SEMA-model Street Rod/Custom Vehicle bill, visit http://www.semasan.com.


Caucus Corner

Strength in Numbers

This year, the legislatures in all 50 states will be meeting and considering approximately 160,000 bills and other various initiatives. Within those legislative bodies there are 7,382 lawmakers, many of which are serving for the first time, and more than 35,000 support staff.

While at first glance these numbers seem intimidating, it also provides an opportunity to educate these lawmakers and their staff on the automotive hobby and the positive impact it has on communities across the country. To start that process, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) recently e-mailed all state lawmakers inviting them to learn more about and join the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus.

Formed in 2005, the caucus is a non-partisan group of state legislators whose common thread is simply a love and appreciation for automobiles. To date, there are more than 300 members from all 50 states. A complete list of current caucus members can be viewed on http://www.semasan.com.

To assist in building this network of hobby-friendly lawmakers, SAN members are urged to contact their state representative and state senator and ask that they join the caucus. As there is no specific obligation in joining the caucus, new members must only agree to list their names among other state legislators around the country who have also chosen to associate themselves with this great American hobby. Their contact information can be accessed through the “Find and Contact Your Legislator” link on http://www.semasan.com.

For more information or help in contacting your elected officials, please contact SAN Director Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org.


Newly Introduced Legislation

Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures:

Data Recorder

South Carolina HB 3081: Would require vehicles equipped with a data-recording device to disclose in the owner’s manual and on a window sticker that a recording device is installed in the vehicle.

Vehicle Emissions

Mississippi HB 142: Would establish a $2,000 tax credit for the purchase of a hybrid electric vehicle that meets National Low-Emissions Vehicle Standards.

New York SB 43: Would require all vehicles to emit a minimum exhaust sound level to aid in the safety of blind pedestrians.

Oklahoma SB 7: Amends the tax credit towards purchasing clean-burning motor vehicles to extend the tax credit until 2020. Also adds vehicles that use natural gas to the list of clean-burning vehicles.

Oklahoma SB 12: Would create a tax credit for vehicles that have been modified to use clean-burning fuels.

Texas SB 119: Would implement California’s low-emissions vehicle program for new vehicles 2012 or later bought in Texas.

Exhaust

Montana HB 69: Amends the vehicle exhaust law to prohibit increasing the noise from that of its original manufactured level.

New Jersey AB 3579: Would include a vehicle’s exhaust noise level as part of New Jersey’s vehicle inspection.

Lights

New York AB 317: Would allow for the reduction of insurance premiums for vehicles that have been retrofitted with daytime running lights.

Historic Vehicles

South Carolina SB 199: Would create a historic-vehicle license plate for vehicles that are 25 years or older.

Tinting

New York AB 798: Would amend the law so that vehicle windows that have been tinted must allow 90% of light in, up from 70%.

Tires

New York AB 197: Creates a replacement tire energy-efficiency program for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks.

Title

New Mexico HB 46: Would create a certificate of title for salvage vehicles that have been repaired back to roadworthy condition necessary for safe operation on the road.

Video Screens

Indiana SB 196: Would prohibit the use of a video screen or computer in the sight of a driver unless the screen is required or assists with driving of a vehicle.