Following is an update of some of the hottest recent federal legislative and regulatory issues affecting the aftermarket. Be sure to check back with this page frequently for updates on these issues.
Pending Legislation/Regulations
RPM Act (Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act)
- Call Congress and Tell Your Lawmakers to Pass the RPM Act (Oct. 2021)
- BREAKING NEWS: RPM Act Reintroduced in U.S. Senate for 2021-2022 — Act Now! (Sept. 2021)
- BREAKING NEWS: RPM Act Reintroduced for 2021—Act Now! (May 2021)
- SAVE OUR RACECARS: SAN Challenges EPA in Court! (Mar. 2021)
- FINAL PUSH—Tell Congress to Pass the RPM Act to Save Our Racecars This Year! (Nov. 2020)
- RPM Act Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives (Dec. 2019)
- RPM Act is Reintroduced in the U.S. Senate (Oct. 2019)
- U.S. Congress Considers the RPM Act (Dec. 2017)
- SEMA President Urges Congress to Protect American Motorsports (Nov. 2017)
- Sonoma Raceway President Urges Congress to Protect American Motorsports (Sept. 2017)
- Support for the RPM Act Revs Up (Aug. 2017)
- Industry/Racer Efforts Continue RPM Act Momentum (June 2017)
- NHRA fans, supporters encouraged to show their support for the RPM Act (May 2017)
- Passage of the RPM Act Will Protect Sales of Racing Tires, Wheels and More)
- S. 203: Sen. Burr Reintroduces RPM Act with 14 Cosponsors (Jan. 2017)
- HR 350: Rep. McHenry Reintroduces RPM Act with 44 Cosponsors (Jan. 2017)
- A MESSAGE FROM CHRIS KERSTING, SEMA’S PRESIDENT AND CEO (Dec. 2016)
- RPM Act Coalition Letter to Trump Transition Team (Dec. 2016)
- Rep. McHenry Talks RPM Act, Pushes for Quick Congressional Action (Nov. 2016)
- Save Our Racecars and Meet Courtney Hansen at 2016 SEMA Show (Oct. 2016)
- Your Voice Matters! Tell Your Elected Officials to Protect Motorsports (Oct. 2016)
- Hemmings Reports: SEMA Continues Push for Pro-Racing Campaign (Sep. 2016)
- Industry Leaders Call on Race Fans & SEMA Members to Support RPM Act (Aug. 2016)
- Is Your Business on Social Media? Help Save Our Racecars with SEMA’s Easy-to-Use Digital Toolkit (May 2016)
- CONFUSION REIGNS: Racing Industry, Community Call for Clarifying Congressional Action Following Latest EPA Action (Apr. 2016)
- SEMA President Chris Kersting Responds to EPA Decision on Racecar Regulation (Apr. 2016)
- JUST IN: Key House Committee Chairman, Members Press EPA on Regulation that Threatens Racecars and Racing Industry (Apr. 2016)
- White House Responds to Racecar Petition (Apr. 2016)
- State Attorneys General Rally to Protect Modified Racecars (Apr. 2016)
- Rep. Richard Hudson Warns Billion Dollar Racing Industry Could Be Wiped Out (Mar. 2016)
- SEMA President Urges Congress to Protect American Motorsports (Mar. 2016)
- SEMA Leadership Commends Senate Introduction of Legislation to Protect Modified Racecars (Mar. 2016)
- SEMA Applauds New Congressional Legislation to Protect Modified Motor Vehicles (Mar. 2016)
- EPA Seeks to Prohibit Conversion of Vehicles Into Racecars (Feb. 2016)
Tariffs
- U.S. Trade Representative Grants Tariff Exclusion Requests for Certain Products from China (Jan. 2019)
- October’s Tariff Collections Were Highest in U.S. History (Dec. 2018)
- SEMA Urges U.S. Department of Commerce to Oppose 25% Tariffs on Imported Automobiles and Auto Parts (July 2018)
- Study Warns That 25% Tariffs on Chinese Imports Would Destroy Thousands of American Jobs (May 2018)
- Trump Administration Considers Tariffs on Imported Cars (May 2018)
- President Trump Delays Steel Tariff Decision on Country Exemptions Until June 1 (May 2018)
- Are the Tariffs Harming Your Business? (Apr. 2018
- SEMA Warns Against Harmful Tariffs (Mar. 2018)
Low Volume Manufacturing
- NHTSA Issues Regulation Allowing Replica Car Sales to Begin (Jan. 2021)
NHTSA Issues Draft Replica Car Rule in Response to SEMA Lawsuit (Dec. 2019) - SEMA Sues U.S. Department of Transportation for Failing to Implement Replica Car Law
- SEMA Creates Webpage with Replica Car Law Information
- Tell the Federal Government to Quit Stalling Replica Vehicle Production (Nov. 2018)
- New Law Enables Hobbyists to Purchase Turn-Key Replica Cars (Dec. 2015)
- Congressional Legislation Would Allow Hobbyists to Buy Turn-Key Replica Cars (Aug. 2015)
Ethanol/Fuel Economy
- EPA to Expand E15 Ethanol Fuel Sales into Summer (Apr. 2022)
- SEMA Opposes EPA E15 Proposal (May 2019)
- Congress Introduces Bill to Help Prevent E15 (Ethanol) Misfuelling (May 2018)
- Congress Introduces Bills to End Corn Ethanol Mandate (March 2018)
- EPA Increases Ethanol Requirements for 2017, Highlighting Need to Reform Renewable Fuel Standard(Dec. 2016)
- Federal Legislation Introduced to Reduce Ethanol Mandates (May 2016)
- Federal Trade Commission Strengthens Labeling Rules for Ethanol(Jan. 2016)
- SEMA letter to U.S. House Science Subcommittees Proposing Renewable Fuel Standard Reform (Aug. 2015)
- SEMA Urges EPA to Abandon E15 Ethanol (July 2015)
- U.S. Congress Introduces Bill to Reform Ethanol Mandate (June 2015)
- SAN Opposes EPA’s Latest Action To Permit Sale of E15
- House Committee Passes Bill Requiring Independent Scientific Analysis of E15 (Feb. 2012)
- SEMA Opposes E15 Waiver and Proposed Rule to Prevent Misfueling (Jan. 2011)
- SEMA Comments on New Vehicle Fuel Economy Label (Nov. 2010)
- EPA Denies E15 Waiver for Pre-2001 Cars, Permits Use in Newer Cars (Oct. 2010)
- SEMA comments to EPA opposing 15 percent ethanol content in gasoline (July 2009)
EPA/CARB Emissions Compliance
California Proposition 65
State Sales Tax
Bonneville Salt Flats
- UPDATE: SEMA Applauds Public-Private Effort to Save The Bonneville Salt Flats (Jan. 2022)
- URGENT: Tell the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to Spend Money Appropriated by Congress to Save the Bonneville Salt Flats (Apr. 2021)
- URGENT: Tell the U.S. Department of the Interior to Spend Money Appropriated by Congress to Save the Bonneville Salt Flats (July 2020)
- Utah Provides $5 Million for “Restore Bonneville” Program
- Save the Salt Coalition
- SEMA and Save the Salt Coalition Comment on BLM Environmental Assessment of Intrepid Potash Mine and Reclamation Plan
Land Use & Off-Highway Vehicles
- SAN Sues to Protect Off-Roading at Oceano Dunes (Apr. 2021)
- California Coastal Commission Votes to Ban Off-Roading at Oceano Dunes (Mar. 2021)
- UPDATE: Off-Road Access Threatened at Oceano Dunes (Mar. 2021)
- Enthusiasts Save Off-Roading at Oceano Dunes (July 2019)
- Off-Road Access Threatened at Oceano Dunes (July 2019)
- U.S. House Committee Passes Bill to Protect Motorized Recreation in California Desert (May 2018)
- U.S. House Committee Passes Bill to Bolster Outdoor Recreation (Apr. 2018)
- Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan Released for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Mar. 2018)
- Oceano Dunes Off-Road Riding Areas to Be Reduced (Mar. 2018)
- President Trump Reduces Size of National Monument Designations (Dec. 2017)
- Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Touts Expanded Recreation Opportunities (Oct. 2017)
- Trump Administration and Outdoor Recreation Industry Leaders Discuss Recreation Expansions (April 2017)
- Off-Roaders Welcome BLM’s Decision to Reopen Utah’s Recapture Canyon to Motorized Recreation (April 2017)
- SEMA Joins Coalition Effort to Expand the Outdoor Recreation Economy (March 2017)
- President Obama Expands National Monuments in Oregon and California (Jan. 2017)
- National Park Service Issues Environment Impact Statement for Off-Road Vehicle Use at Glen Canyon (Jan. 2017)
- U.S. House Committee Passes Utah Public Lands Initiative (Sep. 2016)
- U.S. Senate Committee Considers Bills to Protect OHV Roads and Trails(Sep. 2016)
- National Park Service to Expand Off-Road Vehicle Access at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Aug. 2016)
- Study to Identify Economic Benefits of OHV Recreation in Nevada (Aug. 2016)
- Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Expanded Off-Road Access at Imperial Sand Dunes(Aug. 2016)
- U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill to Re-open Clear Creek to Off-Roaders(July 2016)
- President Obama Designates Three National Monuments in California Desert (Feb. 2016)
- Off-Roaders Welcome Utah Public Lands Initiative (Jan. 2016)
- Congressional Legislation Creates 6 National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas in the California Desert (Oct. 2015)
- SEMA letter to U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee opposing CPSC's ROV rule (June 2015)
- SEMA letter to U.S. House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee opposing CPSC’s ROV rule (June 2015)
- SEMA Joins Other Groups in Opposing "Greater Canyonlands National Monument" (Nov. 2012)
- SEMA Opposes HR 1925, "America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009" (Oct. 2009)
- SEMA Opposes HR 980, “The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act” (June 2009)
- SEMA comments to CPSC on its ROV rule (June 2015)
- Federal Legislation Would Require Study of Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Rule (Feb. 2015)
- Legislation Would Limit President’s Power to Designate National Monuments (Feb. 2015)
- SEMA Urges CPSC to Support Industry Standard for Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (Dec. 2014)
Johnson Valley
- Johnson Valley Saved! (Dec. 2013)
- Summary of Johnson Valley Agreement (Dec. 2013)
- Johnson Valley Map (Dec. 2013)
- California’s Johnson Valley OHV Area Guaranteed Temporary Protection from Marine Base Expansion (December 2012)
- SEMA Seeks to Protect “King of the Hammers” OHV Event at Johnson Valley, CA (August 2012)
- 29 Palms Base Expansion Threatens ‘King of the Hammers’ & Other OHV Activities at Johnson Valley, CA (August 2012)
Vehicle Scrappage
- ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Legislation Signed Into Law (June 24, 2009)
- SEMA Message to Congress: Cash for Clunkers - Facts/Fiction (April 14, 2009)
- SEMA letter to President Obama opposing vehicle scrappage programs (March 2009)
- SEMA and SAN Members Help Defeat “Cash for Clunkers" (Feb. 2009)
Nitrous
- Federal Legislation Seeks EPA Study on Whether State Oversight of Automotive Nitrous (Oct. 2018)
- Supply of Nitrous Oxide for Racing Still Challenging in Some Areas (Aug. 2017)
- Supply of Nitrous Oxide Still a Problem in Certain Areas of the Country (June 2017)
3D Printing
- SEMA Helps Shine Capitol Hill Spotlight on 3D Printing (Mar. 2016)
- SEMA letter to U.S. House Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee on 3D printing (Feb. 2016)
Health Care
- President Trump Directs Federal Agencies to Expand Healthcare Coverage Options (Oct. 2017)
- Congress Approves Bill Protecting Small Businesses From Unfair Health Care Penalties (Dec. 2016)
- U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill Protecting Small Businesses From Unfair Health Care Fines(June 2016)
- Comprehensive Overview of the New Health Care Law
- SEMA letter to President Obama addressing Health Care Reform (Aug. 2009)
- SEMA Members Agree on Need for Health Care Reform (Mar. 2009)
Taxes
- U.S. Congress Passes Comprehensive Tax Cut Bill (Dec. 2017)
- Congress Advances Comprehensive Tax Reform Legislation (Nov. 2017)
- Republicans Push Forward With Tax-Cut Legislation (Nov. 2017)
- President Trump Outlines Plan for Reducing Taxes (Oct. 2017)
- R&D Tax Credit Permanently Extended & Small Business Expensing Extended (Dec. 2015)
- Key Provisions of "Fiscal Cliff" Legislation Affecting SEMA Members (Jan. 2013)
- President Obama Signs 1099 Repeal Into Law (April 2011)
- SEMA Asks President Obama to Sign 1099 Repeal Into Law (April 2011)
- SEMA Letter Asking House Ways & Means Committee Repeal 1099 Mandate (Feb. 2011)
- SEMA Comments to IRS on 1099 Reporting Requirements (Sept. 2010)
- SEMA Letter Asking Senate to Repeal 1099 Reporting Mandate (July 2010)
- Congress Passes Tax Cut Compromise for 2011 & 2012
- New Small Business Lending Law: SEMA Outlines Major Tax/Credit Provisions (Sept. 2010)
Federal Trade Commission
- SEMA Comments on Magnuson-Moss & Warranty Denials (Sept. 2019)
- FTC Strengthens Prohibitions Against Unfair Warranty Denials (June 2015)
- SEMA Comments on Magnuson-Moss Rule Review (Oct. 2011)
Other
- Congressional Committees Pass Bills to Provide Small Businesses IP Protection Training (Mar. 2018)
- 2017 Marks a Year When Regulations Were Rolled Back (Dec. 2017)
- U.S. House of Representatives Approves Autonomous Vehicle Legislation (Sept. 2017)
- Why Relationships With Congress Members Are Key to Protecting the Industry (Aug. 2017)
- President Trump Signs Order to Expand Apprenticeship Programs (June 2017)
- U.S. Senate Committee Passes Regulatory Reform Bills (May 2017)
- U.S. House of Representatives Passes Three Bills to Reduce Frivolous Lawsuits (Mar. 2017)
- Federal Lawmakers Pursue Regulatory Reforms (March 2017)
- White House Places a Moratorium on New Regulations (Jan. 2017)
- California Legislation Would Require Additional Labeling Requirements on Some Automotive Products
- SEMA Hails New Law to Protect Intellectual Property (Oct. 2008)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) - The New Rule and Current Technologies