Changing of the Guard: Maryland Lawmaker Named Chairman of State Auto Caucus
At a gathering of state lawmakers during the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Maryland Delegate Kevin Hornberger was named national Chairman of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. Del. Hornberger was appointed to the post after West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell's term as Caucus chairman was completed. Del. Howell served in the role for eight years and will remain involved with the Caucus as Chairman Emeritus.
Supported by SEMA, the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus is a bipartisan group of approximately 725 state lawmakers whose common thread is a love for automobiles. The Caucus serves to raise the motor-vehicle hobby's profile in state legislatures across the country and in the eyes of the public. Many of these lawmakers have sought to preserve and expand the hobby by improving existing motor vehicle statutes and regulations.
Del. Hornberger was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2014 and has continuously demonstrated his commitment to keeping his home state friendly to automotive enthusiasts, including introducing SEMA's model legislation to ease the process for titling and registering former military vehicles. He is also personally invested in protecting the hobby as an enthusiast himself. He owns a 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 T-Top, a 1967 Chevy RSS Camaro, a 1965 GMC, a 1974 Chevy Blazer K5, and a 1977 GMC Jimmy.
"SEMA has had the pleasure of working with Del. Hornberger on several pieces of pro-hobby legislation in recent years and are excited to welcome him as Caucus chair," said Christian Robinson, SEMA's Director of State Government Affairs.
Delegate Gary Howell, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 SEMA Show, served as an exemplary Caucus Chair for the past eight years. Thanks to his determination and hard work, he has contributed to the thriving automotive hobby in West Virginia. From championing bills to recruiting fellow lawmakers to the Caucus, Howell has upheld the rights of vehicle enthusiasts and raised awareness to the issues facing them. He will continue to be a valued member of the Caucus and a steadfast advocate for our community.
"Del. Howell's dedication to the specialty automotive aftermarket industry is unparalleled. He has been an ardent ally for enthusiasts nationwide. SEMA thanks him for his leadership of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus throughout his term," said Robinson.
Welcome and congratulations, Del. Hornberger! View the full list of his fellow members of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus on the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website at semaSAN.com/StateCaucus.