SEMA model legislation (S.B. 412) to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was approved by the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee. S.B. 412 defines 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 will now be considered by the Senate Finance Committee.
We Urge You to Contact All Members of the New Mexico Senate Finance Committee (List Attached Below) Immediately to Request Their Support for S.B. 412.
- S.B. 412 provides specific registration/titling classes and license plates for street rods and customs, including kits and replicas. Street rods are of a pre-1949 vintage; customs are of the post-1949 era.
- S.B. 412 allows for the use of non-original materials and creates a titling and registration criterion that assigns these vehicles the same model year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.
- S.B. 412 only holds street rods, customs and replicas to the equipment standards specified by law during the model year listed on the title of the vehicle.
- S.B. 412 provides for a one-time registration and plate fee of $100.
- S.B. 412 recognizes the immeasurable amount of time, money and attention automotive enthusiasts invest in their hobby cars. Street rods, customs and replicas are the same crowd pleasers that participate in exhibitions and as parade vehicles, and whose owners regularly contribute to charities and civic events. This legislation represents an opportunity to acknowledge this family hobby and to protect it for future generations.
DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the New Mexico Senate Finance to urge support for S.B. 412.
Please e-mail a copy of your letters to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Also, please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts. Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance.
New Mexico Senate Finance Committee
Senator John Arthur Smith - Chair
Phone: 505/986-4365
Email: john.smith@nmlegis.gov
Senator Carlos R. Cisneros - Vice Chair
Phone: 505/986-4362
Email: carlos.cisneros@nmlegis.gov
Senator Rod Adair
Phone: 505/986-4385
Email: radair@dfn.com
Senator Pete Campos
Phone: 505/986-4311
Email: petecampos@newmexico.com
Senator Carroll H. Leavell
Phone: 505/986-4278
Email: leavell4@leaco.net
Senator Howie C. Morales
Phone: 505/986-4863
Email: howiemorales@yahoo.com
Senator Steven P. Neville
Phone: 505/986-4701
Email: nmsenate@msn.com
Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino
Phone: 505/986-4380
Email: jortizyp@msn.com
Senator Mary Kay Papen
Phone: 505/986-4270
Email: marykay.papen@nmlegis.gov
Senator Nancy Rodriguez
Phone: 505/986-4264
Email: nancy.rodriguez@nmlegis.gov
Senator Sue Wilson Beffort
Phone: 505/986-4395
Email: sue.beffort@nmlegis.gov