Virginia Bill to be Amended to Benefit Vehicle Restoration Projects

Legislation (H.B. 878) 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 will be amended when Subcommittee #1 of the Virginia House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee meets tomorrow. Working with Virginia hobbyist groups, we successfully negotiated an amendment with the bill’s sponsor that will 1) totally exempt all vehicles 25 years old and older from the license tax and 2) limit the tax to $100 for all other vehicles undergoing active restoration or repair. Parts cars that are stored on private property for fewer than 60 days would remain exempted.

We Urge You to Contact Members of Subcommittee #1, Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns (List Below) Immediately to Request Their Support for the Amended H.B. 878

· Under current law, all vehicles, even those 25 years old and older are subject to the license tax. Under the amendment to H.B. 878, the exemption for these cars represents a new benefit to older car owners.

· The amendment to H.B. 878 demonstrates a real effort by legislators and hobbyists to enact reasonable and fair compromise legislation. Please thank Delegate Mark Sickles (DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov) for agreeing to this amendment.

DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns, Subcommittee 1 immediately by e-mail to request their support for the amended H.B. 878. Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.

Virginia House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns, Subcommittee #1

Delegate Anne B. Crockett-Stark (Chairman)

Phone: (804) 698-1006

Email: DELACrockett-Stark@House.virginia.gov

Delegate Robert G. Marshall

Phone: (804) 698-1013

Email: DelBMarshall@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Salvatore R. Iaquinto

Phone: (804) 698-1084

Email: DelSIaquinto@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Charles D. Poindexter

Phone: (804) 698-1009