Texas Street Rod and Custom Vehicle Bill Approved by full House; Moves Next to Senate Transportation Committee


SEMA model legislation (H.B. 890) that would create a vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was approved by the full Texas House of Representatives.  H.B. 890 defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948.  The bill will now be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee.    

We Urge You to Contact Members of the Texas Senate Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Request Their Support for H.B. 890.

  • H.B. 890 provides specific registration/titling classes and license plates for street rods and customs, including replicas.  Street rods are of a pre-1949 vintage; customs are of the post-1949 era.
     
  • H.B. 890 allows for the use of non-original materials and creates a titling and registration criterion that assigns these vehicles the same model year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.
     
  • H.B. 890 only holds street rods, customs and replicas to the equipment standards specified by law during the model year listed on the title of the vehicle.
     
  • H.B. 890 recognizes the immeasurable amount of time, money and attention automotive enthusiasts invest in their hobby cars.  Street rods, customs and replicas are the same crowd pleasers that participate in exhibitions and as parade vehicles, and whose owners regularly contribute to charities and civic events.  This legislation represents an opportunity to acknowledge this family hobby and to protect it for future generations.  

DON’T DELAY!  Please contact all members of the Texas Senate Transportation Committee to urge support for H.B. 890.

Please e-mail a copy of your letters to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org  Also, please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts.  Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance.


Texas Senate Transportation Committee

Senator Tommy Williams - Chair
Phone: 512/463-0104
Email: tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Kirk Watson - Vice Chair
Phone: 512/463-0114
Email: kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Wendy Davis
Phone: 512/463-0110
Email: wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Rodney Ellis
Phone: 512/463-0113
Email: rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Chris Harris
Phone: 512/463-0109
Email: chris.harris@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Juan Hinojosa
Phone: 512/463-0120
Email: juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Robert Nichols
Phone: 512/463-0103
Email: robert.nichols@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Florence Shapiro
Phone: 512/463-0108
Email: florence.shapiro@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Jeff Wentworth
Phone: 512/463-0125
Email: jeff.wentworth@senate.state.tx.us