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The EPA Wants to Outlaw Our Racecars. Tell Congress to Stop Them—Today:



LEGISLATIVE FRONT LINES

Congressional Current Events

While the 2016 state legislative sessions remain a primary focus for the SEMA Action Network (SAN) nationwide, Congressional proposals impacting car and truck enthusiasts are also emerging. The SAN is monitoring the following issues. Keep an eye on your email inbox for an Action Alert should any of them warrant a response to lawmakers.

Ethanol Labels: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amended its fuel regulations to require more specific information be posted at the pump regarding the amount of ethanol that has been added to gasoline at levels above 10% (E10).

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs): Congress passed legislation in December that prevents the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) efforts to issue an ROV safety standard during the current fiscal year ending on September 30, 2016.

Utah Public Lands Initiative (PLI): U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) released their draft Public Lands Initiative. The legislation will finalize land use designations for more than 18 million acres of land in seven eastern and southern Utah counties.

National OHV Area Designations: The SAN supports legislation that would permanently designate six existing OHV areas comprising 300,000 acres in California’s San Bernardino County as national OHV areas: Johnson Valley, Spangler Hills, El Mirage, Rasor, Dumont Dunes and Stoddard Valley.

Clear Creek Recreation Area: Legislation was introduced in Congress to reopen the 75,000 acre Clear Creek National Recreation Area in San Benito and Fresno Counties of California.

Cape Lookout, North Carolina: The National Park Service (NPS) proposed a new plan for regulating off-highway vehicle access to the Cape Lookout National Seashore, a 56-mile long section of the Southern Outer Banks in North Carolina.

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Legislative Front Lines

Click here for the complete list of Legislative Action Alerts.

 


SEMA SAN Strike Force


According to the New Mexico Council of Car Clubs (NMCCC), the group’s swap meet is the largest in New Mexico and several surrounding states. Shown here, NMCCC volunteers serve up hot dogs at the three-day outdoor event’s Hobo Dinner.


The New Mexico Council of Car Clubs (NMCCC)was started in 1977 with eight charter member clubs, including Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, Hudson, Buick, Veteran Motor Car Club of America (VMCCA) and hot rod groups.  According to its website, “We encourage, promote and coordinate the preservation, restoration, education, events, clubs and public awareness of the auto hobby.”  The Council sponsors an annual car show and swap meet, publishes a calendar of automotive events in the area, serves as a clearinghouse for automotive information, keeps member clubs apprised of any legislation that will affect the auto hobby and promotes the hobby to the general public. The group is a not-for-profit organization and counts 72 clubs representing over 3,000 enthusiasts  throughout New Mexico among its members.

The NMCCC supports itself with funds raised from its annual swap meet, staffed entirely of volunteers.  The group’s own events take place outdoors.  Regardless of rain, sandstorm or otherwise, its  members have proven to be dedicated hobbyists that will show up with their collector cars.  Roughly 375 diverse vehicles fill the Albuquerque Museum’s lot each year for a sponsored event.  Other highlights include the giant swap meet (which featured 500 spaces in 2015), an All Clubs Picnic and a car cruise in honor of Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD).  The group meets in Albuquerque on the fourth Wednesday night of every month (except November and December).  Anyone interested in promoting classic cars is invited to attend a meeting.  Unable to show up in person?  Follow the group on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nmcarcouncil

As a long-time advocate and SEMA Action Network (SAN) supporter, the NMCCC fights to keep its membership’s unique vehicles on the road.  Joyce Clements, a member of the Old Car Club of Albuquerque, presides as the Publicity and Events contact as well as newsletter editor.  She regularly includes legislative updates and SAN bulletins in messages to the Council.  “Of note, we got a law through the legislature pertaining to inoperable ‘Vehicles of Historic and Special Significance’ a few years back,” says Joyce.  “It protects a collector’s ability to keep vehicles on private property for parts or future restoration.”  Accommodations for special license plates for collector cars are among the efforts the group has influenced in the past.

To all those in the NMCCC, the SAN thanks you for spreading the word on the EPA’s proposal to ban converted racecars, for your annual support of the CCAD celebration and all the other legislative initiatives in the past.

 


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