<< Back to Driving Force, Summer 2013
Firing on All Cylinders
SAN’s Mid-Year Diagnostic Reveals Performance Success
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| SEMA Action Network (SAN) Director Colby Martin and his 1958 Ford F-100 pickup. | |
The legislative turf continues to be more akin to rock crawling than asphalt drag racing. Issues continue to jockey for position at the federal and state levels throughout the United States. Notably, ethanol gasoline fuels grave concerns from a variety of interest groups. It’s alarming that pump labeling isn’t required for this fuel blend in many places, including my home state of California. Thankfully, there are opportunities right now to influence the country’s biofuel debate on a national scale, as the cover story explains.
Although only midway through the 2013 calendar year, some state legislatures have already completed their legislative sessions.
Here is a review of a few of our successes to date:
Arkansas Motor Vehicle Lighting: SAN amended legislation that originally threatened to ban lamp covers. Under the amendment, coverings would be prohibited only when required lamps are in use.
Connecticut License Plates: Legislation that threatened to disallow the use of year-of-manufacture license plates was amended to continue to allow use of these plates.
Florida Ethanol: Legislation to repeal the requirement that all gasoline contain ethanol was sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law.
Idaho Registration Fees: SAN-opposed legislation that would have increased annual registration fees died when the Legislature adjourned.
Maine Suspension Modifications: SAN successfully opposed legislation that would have required the State Police to unnecessarily regulate modified suspension.
Maryland Reproduction Plates: SAN-supported legislation to provide a specially designed vintage reproduction registration plate to qualifying vehicle owners was signed into law.
Montana Inoperable Vehicles: As a result of SAN opposition, legislation to limit the number of inoperable motor vehicles allowed on private property was withdrawn from consideration.
Montana Year-of-Manufacture Plates: SAN-supported legislation to allow the owner of a motor vehicle manufactured in the years 1948–1950 to display a single original license plate affixed to the rear of the vehicle was signed into law.
Nevada Inoperable Vehicles: SAN amended legislation that threatened to add abandoned, unregistered, inoperable or junk motor vehicles to the list of items that constitute a public nuisance. Under the amendment, these vehicles stored on private property would only require screening from public view. Unregistered vehicles could not be declared a nuisance.
Virginia Restoration Projects: Legislation containing a SAN amendment to exempt from the license tax all vehicles and parts cars stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair was signed into law.
West Virginia Antique/Classic Taxes: SAN-opposed legislation to increase property taxes paid by antique vehicle owners died when the Legislature adjourned.
West Virginia Off-Road Vehicles: SAN-supported legislation to allow off-road vehicles to operate in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area was signed into law.
Wyoming Registration Fees: SAN-opposed legislation to increase annual vehicle registration fees by $10 for passenger vehicles and double registration fees for non-commercial trucks died when the Legislature adjourned.
There is plenty of road ahead this year, but we can all take pride in the progress made so far. A number of bills beneficial to the hobby continue to move through state legislatures that remain in session. As always, the SAN will keep a watchful eye on activity and mobilize when necessary.
—IGNITED WE STAND!