SAVE OUR RACECARS!
SEMA Members Gather in Support of RPM Act at Washington Rally
More than 100 SEMA members descended on the nation’s capital to participate in SEMA’s 2022 Washington Rally on Thursday, September 22. Industry leaders took to the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry and motorsports.
During the event, SEMA members urged Congress to pass H.R. 3281/S.2736, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. The RPM Act currently has 132 co-sponsors in the House and 33 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also raised awareness for other issues facing the industry, including the REPAIR Act, harmful tariffs and zero-emissions vehicle mandates.
LEARN MORELEGISLATIVE FRONT LINES
Mid-Year Scoreboard: State Legislative Victories
The 2022 state legislative sessions are shaping up and the SEMA Action Network (SAN) is working non-stop to ensure positive outcomes for our hobby. Below are highlights of the most hard-fought victories counted in the current legislative session. For the latest status on each effort and the complete list of this year's Legislative Action Alerts, visit semaSAN.com/Alerts:
- The Kansas legislature passed a SAN-supported bill to allow full restoration of antique vehicles, including temporary removal of the vehicle identification number (VIN) when necessary. Sponsored by SEMA's 2021 Legislator of the Year Award winner Rep. Leo Delperdang, the bill was signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly.
- A similar SAN-supported effort was successful in Arizona, where Governor Doug Ducey signed into law legislation allowing temporary removal of the VIN when necessary during the restoration of pre-1981 vehicles.
- Following encouragement from enthusiasts in Kansas, Governor Kelly also signed into law a bill to allow older antique vehicles (60+ years old) the ability to forego a VIN inspection when applying for a title.
- At the urging of the SAN, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed into law pro-hobby legislation allowing the registration and titling of certain former military surplus vehicles for on-road use.
- In a favorable outcome, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed into law a SAN-supported bill allowing the display of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger vehicles. Under the previous law, vehicles were required to display two license plates. The new law is estimated to save the state more than $300,000 per year.
- With the SAN's support, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed into law a bill expanding the year of manufacture (YOM) license plate program for vehicles registered as antiques that will include plates from 1973 or thereafter. The prior cut-off was for 1972 or earlier models until now.
- Thanks to the SAN's effort in New Hampshire, Governor Chris Sununu signed into law a proposal for antique vehicles authorizing the use of side-mounted exhaust pipes that meet certain requirements.
- In Utah, Governor Spencer Cox signed into law SAN-supported legislation to exempt former military surplus vehicles from displaying a license. The new law requires a license plate to be carried inside the vehicle and ready for inspection by law enforcement upon request.
Legislative Alerts
NHRA Champion Antron Brown Warns Congress That Motorsports Is at Risk
Ask Your U.S. Representative to Protect Your Right to Modify by Cosponsoring the REPAIR Act
ONLINE PHOTO GALLERY: 13th Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD)
MEET THE HOBBY’S ALLIES
“The King” Meets RPM Act Champion
During his recent visit to Washington, D.C., Richard Petty, "The King," met with fans in Congress on Capitol Hill—including U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC). They are flanked here by SEMA Board of Directors member Ted Wentz III (left) and SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola (right). During his time in Congress, Rep. Hudson has proven himself to be a defender of motorsports. Rep. Hudson is the lead Republican co-sponsor of H.R. 3281, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act). As the hometown Congressman for the Charlotte Motor Speedway and much of the race parts industry, Rep. Hudson is the only member of Congress who prominently displays the hood of a racecar in his Washington, D.C., office. Not only a passionate racing fan, he is among the federal lawmakers running for re-election in 2022.
The 2022 election season is now in high gear. For information on voting in November's elections (including absentee and early voting), registering to vote and identifying your lawmakers and the candidates running in 2022, use the link above.