February 2002

 

At a hearing scheduled for Thursday., Feb. 21, staff members of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will recommend unfortunate revisions to the operations of its statewide scrappage program. These potential revisions would limit parts recycling to non-emissions and non-drivetrain-related parts.

 

CARB’s staff recommendation is particularly offensive because California law specifically mandates that scrappage programs allow parts recycling—a mandate CARB flatly ignores.

 

As a counterproposal, SEMA supports a pro-hobbyist policy that would allow for total recycling and resale of parts from vehicles destined for the crusher.

 

The bottom line is that CARB thinks that nobody cares if classic or potentially classic cars, parts and parts-cars are crushed beyond recognition. We urge California enthusiasts to prove them wrong. California SEMA Action Network clubs and contacts are encouraged to attend this hearing to fight for total across-the-board parts recycling. Let your views be heard!

 

Date: Feb. 21 

Time: 9:00 a.m. 

Place: California Environmental Protection Agency 

Air Resources Board 

Coastal Valley Hearing Room, 2nd Floor 

1001 “I” Street 

Sacramento, CA 95814

 

 

 

 

 

A bill (H.B. 617) that would prohibit local areas from applying “junkyard” regulations to antique automobile collectors pursuing their hobby has been passed by the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The bill only protects noncommercial hobbyist activities.

 

Antique motor vehicles over 25 years old would simply be required to be maintained and stored out of public view. In addition, one uninspected and unregistered vehicle that is less than 25 years old could be stored on the owner’s property. Representative Lawrence Artz (R-34), an enthusiast himself, introduced H.B. 617 in the last legislative session and has worked hard to shepherd it through the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The bill now moves to the New Hampshire Senate for consideration.

 

 

Despite the efforts of George Reinis, Bill Beranato and other New Jersey SEMA Action Network members, a bill (A.B. 1403) which would have prohibited 

municipalities from implementing an ordinance or land use regulation that prevents automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby has failed to pass the state legislature. A.B. 1403 would have permitted hobbyists to store collector and parts-cars on their property provided they were located out of ordinary public view.

 

Look to see that this bill is reintroduced during New Jersey’s next legislative session.

 

 

 

 

Last March, Larry Hudson, a former Ohio police officer, founded the Cops 

‘n Rodders car club. Hudson had several goals in mind when he started the club:

 

To promote interest in the hobby, To improve the relationship between law enforcement and vehicle enthusiasts, To provide funds for the Fraternal Order of Police Critical Incident Response Service.

The Critical Incident Response Service helps police officers and their families cope with the stressful and sometimes traumatic situations associated with this important line of work.

In less than a year, the club’s membership has grown to 50 members, including active and retired police officers, as well as sponsored non-law enforcement hobbyists. They held two events in 2001, raising $1,500—$1,000 of which paid transportation costs for police officers to travel to New York City to help with Sept. 11 rescue efforts.

 

Hudson says the Cops ‘n Rodders club is already planning events for 

2002, including another one of its car show and cruise ins. For more information on the club or their upcoming events, contact Larry Hudson at 614/224-5700 or e-mail info@copsnrodders.com. Cops ‘n Rodders also has a website at www.copsnrodders.com.

 

If you have a story regarding a positive relationship between vehicle enthusiasts and law enforcement, Driving Force wants to hear about it. Write to us at SEMA Action Network, 1317 F Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004, or e-mail us at san@sema.org, or fax us at 202/783-6024.

 

 

 

 

 

Recently, a Washington State SEMA Action Network member was driving home from a local off-road area where he was watching a friend ride his dirt bike. During what should have been a short trip, he was stopped THREE times! We’ll call him “Jim.”

 

Jim was driving his ’77 Buick LeSabre lowrider when all this occurred. First off, he notes that at no time was he operating the hydraulics while on public streets.

 

As Jim was making his way through the center of town, he noticed an officer following him. When he pulled into a convenience store to grab a soda, the cop pulled over and sat outside. When Jim got back on the road, the officer got behind him again and pulled him over. He told Jim that he had observed him driving erratically, that the vehicle was too low, and that Jim had tried to give him the slip by pulling into the convenience store.

 

Jim, having fairly good knowledge of Washington State vehicle code, politely disputed all three claims. After measuring the vehicle, the officer determined that it was in compliance but suggested that he raise it slightly to avoid further problems. Jim took his advice and once again set out for home.

 

Less than a mile later, Jim was pulled over again. This time, the officer approached the vehicle and stated that he had witnessed Jim using the hydraulics on the road and that his vehicle was too high! Once again, Jim politely disputed both claims, explaining that a bump in the road had caused his car to bounce a little and that the vehicle was set at that height because another officer—not five minutes earlier—had recommended it. Jim was allowed to resume his journey, still citation-free.

 

Round three occurred just two blocks later. This officer spent almost 30 minutes examining Jim’s ride and informed him that he would probably be receiving multiple citations in the mail. To date, Jim has never received a single citation in the mail.

 

Lest you think this was some rowdy teenager being the enthusiast in question is almost 30 years old and owns his own business. The worst part of the story may be that all the unplanned stops on the way home that day made Jim late in picking up his children from daycare and for his college night class!

 

If you have a "Can You Believe?" you would like to share, send it to us at: san@sema.org or SEMA Action Network, 1317 F Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004.

 

 

 

 

Note: The following bills are not laws. They have been recently introduced and are currently being considered for adoption by the respective state legislatures.

 

 

New Jersey S.B. 121 would direct the Department of Environmental Protection to implement Phase II of the California Low Emission Vehicle Program starting in 2006.

 

 

Mississippi H.B. 65/H.B. 435 would require drivers to burn headlamps when atmospheric conditions necessitated the use of windshield wipers.

 

 

Mississippi H.B. 306 would eliminate the motor vehicle safety inspection 

program.

 

 

Indiana S.B. 116 would permit antique vehicles to display an authentic or 

reproduction year of manufacture license plate.

 

Indiana S.B. 211 would provide registration requirements for specially 

constructed vehicles.

 

 

Vermont H.J.R. 158 would honor the accomplishments of Mr. Terry Ehrich, 

president of Hemmings Motor News.

 

 

 

 

 

Feb. 15-16, Philadelphia—66th annual AACA Meet 

Sponsor: Antique Automobile Club of America 

Information: 610/666-5950

 

 

Feb. 17, Milwaukee—37th annual Greater Milwaukee Winter Swap Meet 

Sponsor: Model A Ford Club, Wisconsin Chapter 

Information: 262/255-4525

 

*** The SEMA Government Relations team offers condolences to the family, 

friends and colleagues of the late Terry Ehrich of Hemmings Motor News. 

Ehrich was a big supporter of the collector car hobby as anyone that ever 

lived. We will miss his contribution to the hobby. We will miss him. Rest in 

peace.