The Specialty Equipment Market Association does a number of good things for enthusiasts and the industry, but their most important mission is fighting for enthusiast's rights to enjoy the automotive hobby. Here are some recent examples of their success on our behalf.
SEMA-MODEL CUSTOM VEHICLE LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW IN TENNESSEE
A version of SEMA model legislation to create a vehicle registration and titling classification for custom vehicles was approved by the Tennessee State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Phil Bredesen. The new law defines a custom-built car as a vehicle that is built for private use and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. Under the law, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles.
OLD-CAR EMISSIONS EXEMPTION NO LONGER THREATENED IN EIGHT CALIFORNIA COUNTIES
Working with California old-car hobbyists, SEMA convinced California Senate legislators to amend legislation that sought repeal of the state’s current emissions test exemption for pre-1976 vehicles registered by new owners in the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. The District includes eight counties in California’s Central Valley.
Under the original bill, after Jan. 1, 2009, new owners seeking to register a pre-1976 vehicle in these eight counties would have been subject to emissions tests for the life of the vehicle. Under the amendment, the repeal language was removed and the bill instead now requires the DMV to study the state’s special license plate programs and recommend improvements.
DELAWARE TO EXEMPT STREET RODS FROM REGULAR SAFETY INSPECTIONS
SEMA-supported legislation to exempt street rods from the state’s regular safety inspections was approved by the Delaware State Legislature. Under an agreement reached with state regulators, the registration and titling process will be changed administratively to allow street rods to be assigned a registration and titling designation bearing the same model year that the body of the vehicle resembles. The bill next moves to the governor for his signature and enactment into law.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.
For more information on SEMA and how they help enthusiasts around the country, visit www.sema.org.