Good News in the Granite State!
New Hampshire Lawmaker Introduces Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill
As legislatures across the country are back in action, enthusiasts in
New Hampshire are rallying behind SEMA model legislation which will create
special titling and registration classes for street rods and custom
vehicles. Introduced by State Senator Rob Boyce, the bill (S.B. 288)
provides special license plates for these vehicles. Senator Boyce is also a
member of the SEMA-sponsored State Automotive Enthusiasts Leadership Caucus.
"For many vehicle enthusiasts in New Hampshire and throughout America,
building, maintaining and enjoying their hot rods is a favorite pastime,"
commented Senator Boyce. "This legislation represents an opportunity to
acknowledge their commitment to the hobby and to protect it for future
generations. Working with SEMA, we've managed to craft a piece of
legislation that inserts common sense into the titling and registration
requirements for customs and street rods. As a car nut who built his first
hot rod at age 15, I'm excited by the prospect of having this bill passed by
the legislature and signed into law."
Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming are
among the states whose legislators have also introduced or are considering
introducing street rod and custom vehicle titling and registration
legislation in 2006. In addition, officials in Oregon are proposing to enact
provisions of the SEMA bill through administrative regulations.
The SEMA-model legislation provides for special license plates and
exempts rods and customs from periodic inspections and emissions tests. It
also provides for the use of non-original materials and requires an initial
safety inspection based on criteria established in part by the local
hobbyist community. Under the legislation, a replica vehicle is assigned the
same model-year designation as the production vehicle it most closely
resembles.
The bill stipulates that vehicles titled and registered as street rods
and custom vehicles may be used only for occasional transportation,
exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily
transportation. The model bill is the product of consultation with the Hot
Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), local police departments, regulators and
hobbyists. The bill has been previously enacted in Illinois, Maine,
Missouri, Montana and Rhode Island.
We are extremely gratified that, through the persistence of pro-hobby
legislators like Senator Boyce, New Hampshire could join the list of states
that recognize street rods and customs as distinct classes of vehicles,²
said SEMA Vice President, Government Affairs Steve McDonald. ³This
legislation offers the added benefit of also including qualifying replicas
and kit cars in these specialty-vehicle titling and registration
classifications. Bills like these help avert complicated titling and
registration processes that have created confusion among vehicle owners and
DMV officials challenged with applying these laws at the ground level.²
Anyone interested in reviewing the model bill or obtaining information on
how to pursue a plan to enact the model into law in their state should
contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.
CAUCUS CORNER
New Hampshire State Senator Rob Boyce: Resident of Alton, NH. Elected to the State House of Representatives in 1996; served two terms. Elected to the State Senate in 2000; currently serving in his third term.
Prior to serving in the legislature, Senator Boyce ran his own computer consultant service and taught part time at the Laconia Community and Technical College. He has also been involved in retail and wholesale sales of automobiles and automotive parts.
New Caucus Members
Michigan State Representative Joe Hune
Virginia Delegate William Fralin
* Editor's Note: Each month Driving Force will feature a member of the State
Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The SEMA-supported caucus is a
bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and
appreciation for automobiles.
Summary of SEMA-Model Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill
- Defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom vehicle as an altered vehicle manufactured after 1948.
- Provides specific registration classes and license plates for street rods and custom vehicles.
- Provides that replica vehicles and kit cars will be assigned the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble and allows the use of non-original materials.
- Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from periodic vehicle inspections and emissions inspections.
- Provides that vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily transportation.
- Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from a range of standard-equipment requirements.
- Allows the use of blue-dot taillights on street rods and custom vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE QUICK HITS
Arizona Collector Cars: Legislation has been introduced in the Arizona State
legislature for the 2006 session that would provide for a $16 one-time
registration fee for vehicles 25-years old and older. The bill also provides
for a $50 one-time license plate fee and a one-time $34 vehicle license tax
for these vehicles. The measure would further allow the director of the
state¹s Department of Environmental Quality to exempt 25-year old and older
vehicles from mandated emissions inspections. Under a law enacted last year,
qualified collectible vehicles (at least 15-years old) could be exempted
from emissions inspection if approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency as part of Arizona¹s state plan for air quality.
California/Virginia Key Information: Pending legislation in both California
and Virginia would require vehicle manufacturers to provide a means by which
vehicle owners could obtain all information required to enable the
reproduction of any key required to operate a vehicle. Under both measures,
the information would be accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
The bills would apply to 2007 and subsequent model year vehicles.
Illinois Inoperable Vehicles: SAN-opposed legislation has been introduced in
Illinois to redefine inoperable motor vehicles to include vehicles incapable
of being driven under their own power for a period of seven days. Under
current law, these vehicles must be undriveable for a period of at least six
months to be deemed inoperable and thus subject to disposal by a county.
Last year, the SAN stalled Illinois legislation that threatened to further
restrict the ability of Illinois hobbyists from maintaining inoperable
vehicles on private property. That bill removed historic vehicles over
25-years of age from a list of vehicles exempt from county inoperable
vehicle ordinances if they are not kept within a building.
Indiana Taxes: SAN-supported legislation to exempt antique vehicles from the
county excise surtax has been introduced in Indiana. The county surtax is
applied at a rate of between $7.50 and $25 annually for each motor vehicle
registered in the county. Under current Indiana law, an antique vehicle is
defined as a motor vehicle or motor scooter that is at least twenty-five
(25) years old.
Oregon Specialty: Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski has directed the state
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to write a proposed rule that
would require all 2009 and later model cars sold in Oregon to meet tougher
tailpipe standards. Kulongoski is seeking a temporary emissions rule by the
end of the year, which could later be converted to permanent emissions
standards. The governor¹s action has provided an opportunity for us to work
with DEQ officials on a program to exempt all specialty vehicles (including
street rods, customs, replicas, assembled and reconstructed vehicles) from
emissions inspections. Our DEQ contact is drafting a regulation to exempt all
of these vehicles in the proposal being prepared for the governor.
of these vehicles in the proposal being prepared for the governor.
Washington Off-Road Access: The SAN is supporting a bill in Washington State
to require the Department of Natural Resources to inventory all roads and
trails under its jurisdiction. In the future, the Department would have to
ensure that there is no net loss of roads or trail miles available when
making any changes in public road access. Roads temporarily open for
forestry operations would not qualify toward the mileage quota of roads
available for public motorized access.
forestry operations would not qualify toward the mileage quota of roads
available for public motorized access.
OFF-ROAD NEWS
Off-Roaders Gear Up For U.S. Senate Debate On Endangered Species Act
As Congress reconvenes in 2006, the OHV community, land developers and
environmental groups are gearing up for the much anticipated debate over the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). The SAN has made passage of a reform bill a
legislative priority. Since it was enacted in 1973, the ESA has eliminated
access to millions of acres of land, including many roads and trails
responsibly enjoyed by off-highway (OHV) enthusiasts, while providing little
benefit for species.
Just to provide one example of how the ESA impacts off-roaders, a
recreation area can be closed to all motorized users while it is determined
if an animal or plant is endangered or threatened. With respect to private
land, control of the property is limited once the animal or plant is
officially listed. While triggering land closures,
however, the law has failed to achieve the goal of preserving species. Only
1 percent of the 1,300 species listed have ever been removed
from the list. The SAN supports common sense reforms to protect species
without unnecessarily depriving the OHV community of recreational
opportunities.
A great deal of progress was achieved in 2005. The U.S. House of
Representatives passed a bi-partisan bill (HR 3824) introduced by House
Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA). The bill would overhaul
the existing process for designating endangered species. A key piece of the
proposal would replace existing "critical habitat" requirements, one of the
more contentious areas of the existing law and a frequent source of
lawsuits, with "recovery habitats." These recovery habitats would have
fewer legal restrictions and be linked into the species recovery planning
process. The bill also calls for compensating private property owners for
land-use restrictions due to an endangered species. Other features of the
bill include the use of the best available scientific data in determining
species status, expanding the role of state and local governments in the
decision making process, and increasing the openness and accountability of
the agencies involved in the designation process.
The Senate is now poised to act in 2006. Legislation (S 2110) has been
introduced to lengthen the period of time federal authorities have to
consider listing a species for protection and to give tax credits (rather
than direct compensation) to landowners who enter into agreements to
conserve listed species. More reform legislation is expected later this
winter and there will be a push for lawmakers to hold hearings and pass the
bills. The SAN will keep you informed about its status. SEMA is also
working with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the BlueRibbon
Coalition in this effort.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
Youth Program is Grade A!
Mike Silliman
President, Mohican Model A Ford Club
Cazenovia, New York
The Mohican Model A Ford Club, like most other clubs nationwide, has
noticed the alarming trend in the average age of its members. The ³young²
members are 50 to 60 years old and there are almost no members under 30
years old. The skills and talents of the older generation will be lost if
their knowledge is not passed down to younger generations. Even though over
the years we have presented many technical seminars on restoration, this has
only helped the older members and not the youth. There are many years of
experience restoring classic and antique cars in our club and they need to
be transferred to younger generations before it is lost.
In 2000 the club's Board of Directors realized that something had to be
done to correct this. A special committee was formed to come up with possible solutions and a
comprehensive program to help youth members restore a classic or antique car
was established.
To date, the youth program has helped with a frame-off restoration of a
Model A, assisted with work on a VW Bug and helped put a Lincoln Continental
on the road. The club not only helps financially with the restoration, but
also provides advice and volunteers to assist in the project. We are
currently still assisting with the VW project and are looking at projects
for 2006.
In addition, a new scholarship program was established in 2005 with a
portion of the proceeds received from the sale of a Model A that was left to
the club by long-time member Wally Towne after his passing. The car was sold
by sealed bid to a member with the stipulation that it would not be resold
for a minimum of three years and would be driven to some of the car club
events throughout the year.
In furthering our youth efforts, the club has held a series of five
seminars at the local technical high school and have sponsored the local Boy
Scout troop at our annual show.
Without the involvement of the youth, there will be no future for our
hobby. It is the duty of every club to extend a welcome hand to the youth of
the community.
[Editor's note: The SEMA Action Network would like to thank the Mohican
Model A Club for their continued support of the SAN and the future of this
great hobby.]
HEY, THAT'S MY CAR
An Olds but a Goodie
1973 Oldsmobile Omega
Owner: Tom James
Pittsburgh, PA
I placed the order for my 1973 Omega on November 28, 1972, the first
production year for the Oldsmobile compact series. My two-door coupe, model
B27, was the most popular model of the three produced with a total
production run of 26,126. The original intent was to use it as my everyday
driver and when the time came, trade it in for something else. One thing led
to another and here we are thirty-three years later and she looks as good as
the day I picked her up at the dealership. I restored the car to showroom
condition in 2000/2001 and we have been cruising and showing the car every
chance we get. Circumstances permitting, I hope to add at least one more
Olds to my collection. In the meantime I'm enjoying getting reacquainted
with the hobby and the great people in it.
Specs: 1973 Oldsmobile Omega
Drivetrain: Olds Rocket 350; TH350 auto transmission with 3:42 posi rear
Wheels: B.F. Goodrich T/A radials on 14² sport III wheels
Body: GM #42 Emerald Green with green vinyl roof
Other modifications: Holley carb, GM HEI ignition, dual exhaust, and Dynomax
Super Turbo mufflers
Thanks to all who have sent in or e-mailed us photos. Please continue to
send us photos of your trail rides, restorations in progress, rod runs, car
shows, charity events and drag races. Kindly submit pictures to: The Driving
Force, SEMA, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765. You also
may send high-resolution digital pictures (minimum resolution of 300 pixels
per inch; minimum 5 inches wide) by e-mail to san@sema.org.
per inch; minimum 5 inches wide) by e-mail to san@sema.org.
Get Linked to the SAN
Important information is just a click away
One of the greatest ways to keep up-to-date on legislation in your state
is the SAN website, www.semasan.com. Your club can help spread the word by
downloading the SAN logo from the SAN website and posting it as a link on
your website. Just another way you can keep your club members involved in
the legislation that affects the hobby.
And for all you webmasters, forum moderators, and tech-savvy
enthusiasts, you can now receive Driving Force through an RSS news feed or
through an iTunes podcast. Simply click on the RSS/iTunes icon and have each
issue delivered directly to you.
EVENTS
ARIZONA
February 25, Tempe
Annual Catch-A-Wave Car Show
Information: www.kiwaniswave.org
or 480/345-9521
February 26, Glendale
United We Drive Show
Sponsor: Arizona Automobile Hobbyist Council
Information: 623/937-1171
CALIFORNIA
February 4, San Juan Capistrano
3rd Annual Care Car Show
Information: 949/240-1735
February 4-5, Orange
Annual Packards International Show
and Swap Meet
Sponsor: Packards International Motor Car Club
Information: 714/541-8431
February 5, Palmetto
17th Annual Vintage Wheels Car and Truck Show
Information: 941/792-1819
February 10-12, Sacramento
56th Annual Sacramento Autorama
Information: www.hotrodshows.com or 877/ROD-SHOW
February 19, Alameda
Auto and Motorcycle Swap Meet
Information: 510/522-2316
February 24-26, San Diego
40th Annual Big 3 Auto Parts Exchange
and Car Corral
Information: www.big3partsexchange.com or 619/276-7135
February 26, Indian Wells
Palm Springs Car Show
Information: 760/485-4169
CONNECTICUT
February 3-5, Hartford
46th Annual Frank Maratta¹s Auto
and Cycle Show
Information: www.fmautoshow.com or
860/347-3625
FLORIDA
February 9-12, Kissimmee/Orlando
14th Annual Winter National 2006
Information: www.classicchevy.com or
321/385-9703
February 12, Port Charlotte
Southwest Florida Vintage All GM Show
Sponsor: Southwest Florida Region VCCA
Information: www.vcca.org or 941/625-3356
February 23-26, Zephyrhills
32nd Annual Winter AutoFest
Information: www.zephyrhillsauction.com or 813/258-6726
ILLINOIS
February 19, St. Charles
18th Annual Winter Parts Swap
Sponsor: Illinois Region MARC
Information: www.illinoisregionmarc.com or 773/271-9663
February 26, Fairfield
Misfits Swap Meet
Sponsor: White Squirrel Cruisers
Information: whitesquirrelcruisers@gmail.com or 618/847-4906
February 26, Wheaton
British Car Swap Meet and Autojumble
Sponsor: Chicagoland MG Club
Information: www.britishcarswap.info or
630/916-7358
KANSAS
February 3-4, Wichita
Sunflower Swap Meet
Sponsor: Wichita A¹s
Information: www.wichitaas.com or
316/838-5950
MARYLAND
February 10-12, Ocean City
26th Annual Ocean City Hot Rod &
Custom Car Show
Sponsor: Special Event Productions Inc.
Information: www.specialeventpro.com or 410/798-6304
MICHIGAN
February 4-5, Kalamazoo
Winter Swap Meets
Sponsor: Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers Club
Information: karknut61@msn.com or
269/342-8755
NEW MEXICO
February 3-5, Albuquerque
2006 Supernationals
Information: www.thesupernationals.com
OHIO
February 12, Springfield
34th Annual Auto Parts Swap Meet
Sponsor: Miami Valley Region of Ohio VCCA
Information: www.miamivalleyvcca.org or 937/692-5772
February 17-19, Dayton
43rd Annual Dayton Autorama Car Show
Information: www.daytonautorama.com or 937/294-7805
OREGON
February 17-19, Portland
Portland Rod and Custom Show
Information: www.hotrodshows.com or
877/236-0632
February 18-19, Central Point
29th Annual Southern Oregon Rod & Custom Show
Sponsor: Rogue Valley Street Rods
Information: troyboyd@earthlink.net or
541/770-5892
PENNSYLVANIA
February 26, Gibsonia
18th Annual Indoor Flea Market
Sponsor: North Hills Historic Auto Club
Information: 412/487-1911
SOUTH DAKOTA
February 24-26, Rapid City
7th Annual Car Show
Sponsor: Counts of the Cobblestone Car Club
Information: 605/343-3616
TENNESSEE
February 5, Nashville
AACA Automotive Swap Meet
Sponsor: Stones River Region AACA
Information: 615/890-1144
TEXAS
February 25-26, Amarillo
22nd Annual Make-A-Wish Car Show
Sponsor: Panhandle Council of Car Clubs
Information: squaty@cox.net or 806/858-2024
WASHINGTON
February 11-12, Puyallup
32nd Corvette and High Performance Meet
Information: lwjohnson@corvhp.com or
360/786-8844
February 18-19, Puyallup
40th Annual Earlybird Swap Meet
Sponsor: Tacoma Model T Ford Club
Information: charlieo@foxinternet.net or
253/863-6211
WISCONSIN
February 26, Washington County Fairgrounds
41st Annual Greater Milwaukee Area Winter Swap Meet
Information: 262/554-7058
Early March 2006 events
OREGON
March 3-5, Portland
50th Portland Roadster Show
Sponsor: Multnomah Hot Rod Council
Information: www.portlandroadstershow.com or 503/232-4567
WASHINGTON
March 3-5, Seattle
Seattle Roadster Show
Information: www.hotrodshows.com or 360/225-0275
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:
ANTIQUE/HISTORICAL VEHICLES
Indiana HB 1150: Allows the use of model year license plates or the
reproduction of an authentic model year plate on antique vehicles. Sets a
service charge of $25 for the display of the plate.
Nebraska LB 815: Modifies permitted uses of historical vehicles to transport
passengers for hire at car shows, club events, and other such uses; permits
the hauling of large loads by historical vehicles to and from these events.
Virginia HB 288: Changes the distance one can drive an antique vehicle for
³pleasure driving² from 250 miles to 50 miles from the owner¹s house. Also
prohibits work-related travel as a use for antique vehicles.
EMISSIONS/INSPECTIONS
Missouri SB 583: Creates new provisions for the state emissions inspection
program. Retains historic exemption from emissions, exempts previously
untitled vehicles for four years, and exempts vehicles driven less than
12,000 miles between biennial inspections.
Missouri HB 1207: Proposes suspension of motor vehicle emissions inspection
program on or before January 1, 2007.
EQUIPMENT
Maine HB 1325: Protects drivers¹ privacy by clarifying ownership of data
recorded by motor vehicle data recorders.
Mississippi HB 119: Requires manufacturers to disclose if a vehicle is
equipped with a data recording device.
New Hampshire HB 1367/LSR 2458: Prohibits license plate covers that obscure
license plate numbers.
Pennsylvania SB 1050: Requires auto manufacturers to disclose information
relating to vehicles equipped with event data recorders or sensing and
diagnostic modules.
INOPERABLE VEHICLES
Kentucky HB 69: Makes property owners liable for all fees if a lien has been
attached to their property by a local governing body, including fees related
to permitting a public nuisance.
LIGHTING
Mississippi HB 489: Allows street rods and antique vehicles (25 years old or
older) to be equipped with rear lamps that have been modified to emit a
blue, violet, or purple light.
Utah HB 235: Prohibits any vehicle or equipment on a highway, other than a
law enforcement vehicle, with a lamp or device that is capable of
displaying a blue light that is visible from directly in front of the center
of the vehicle.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
New York AB 9179: Provides local municipalities with exclusive power to
regulate motor vehicle access within coastal erosion hazard areas.
TINTING
Mississippi HB 45: Changes the light transmittance percentage required for
windows of motor veh