<< Back to Driving Force, March 2012
Legislative Quick Hits
Colorado Emissions Exemption: The SAN is supporting legislation to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles that have not yet reached their eighth model year. Current law only exempts vehicles that are 4 model years old or newer. Colorado already exempts pre-1976 collector cars, kits and street rods from emissions testing. The logic for this trend is clear; such vehicles do not contribute in significant ways to air quality problems. This logic applies equally to newer cars.
Iowa Antique Registration Fee: The SAN is supporting a bill to allow any vehicle that is 25 years old or older and used only for exhibition, entertainment or educational purposes to be registered for an annual fee of $5. Under current law, a motor vehicle that is 25 years old or older may be registered as an antique vehicle upon payment of the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. Certain vehicles that are 25 years old or older and used only for exhibition, entertainment or educational purposes may be registered as "limited-use" vehicles, subject to a registration fee of $40 for a two-year period.
Maryland Historic Vehicle Registration: Legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as "historic motor vehicles" was introduced. Under the bill, the age requirement would be raised from 20 to at least 25 years old and would prohibit these cars from being used for "occasional transportation." The measure would also require that an historic vehicle is insured by an historic vehicle, show vehicle or antique insurance policy. A hearing to consider the bill is scheduled in the Environmental Matters Committee. The SAN is opposing the bill.
New Jersey Emissions Exemption: In 2010, SAN-supported legislation to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles five model years old or newer was signed into law, subject to approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Previous law only exempted vehicles four model years old or newer. The EPA is now proposing action to incorporate revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by state regulators to improve performance of the state's Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program. Chief among the amendments the EPA is proposing to approve is the extension of the new vehicle inspection exemption from four years to five years. This action acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of the vehicles targeted for this exemption and that it is senseless to test newer vehicles, the results of which demonstrate no significant air quality benefits.
Utah Vintage Travel Trailers: A SAN-supported bill to create a statutory definition of a "vintage travel trailer" and provide for a one-time registration fee was approved by the Utah House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration. Under the bill, vintage travel trailers would also be eligible for a special group license plate and would be exempted from wheel cover, mudguard, flap, or splash apron requirements. The measure provides for a $40 one-time registration fee.
Vermont Exhaust Noise: The SAN is opposing legislation to ban motor-vehicle exhaust systems that increase the noise level above the level emitted by the originally installed system. Under the bill, violators would not pass the state's required inspection. The bill does not provide an opportunity for vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet an objective 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test. In addition, the measure does not supply inspectors with an enforcement standard, allowing them to make subjective judgments on whether an exhaust system increases "the noise emitted by the motor vehicle above the level emitted by the exhaust system as originally installed."
Virginia License Tax: Legislation that originally threatened to provide localities with the authority to raise from $100 to $500 the amount charged for an annual license tax for vehicles that do not display current license plates was amended by a subcommittee of the Virginia House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee. Working with Virginia hobbyist groups, the SAN successfully negotiated an amendment with the bill's sponsor to (1) totally exempt all vehicles 25 years old and older from the license tax that are undergoing restoration or repair and (2) extend the exemption to all other vehicles (including parts cars) undergoing restoration or repair that are stored on private property for fewer than 60 days. Vehicles stored within a structure would remain exempted from the tax. The bill was approved by the subcommittee on a 4-3 vote.
Washington Inoperable Vehicles: SEMA-model legislation that would prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance, development regulation, zoning regulation or administrative practice that prevents legitimate automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby, was approved by the Washington State Senate Government Operations Committee. Under the bill, a limited number of junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property, would only require screening from public view if required by local law. The bill will now be considered by the Senate Rules Committee.
West Virginia Property Tax: The SAN is supporting legislation to provide owners of antique motor vehicles with a cap on property taxes paid on antique motor vehicles. The bill was approved by the House Roads and Transportation Committee and will now be considered by the House Finance Committee. West Virginia law defines an "antique motor vehicle" as any motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old and owned solely as a collector's item. The bill would assess antique motor vehicles for property taxes at their salvage value. That value could not exceed $500. At the most costly rate in West Virginia (approximately 3%), the actual property tax paid by antique motor vehicle owners at the maximum salvage value would be only about $15 per year.