Posts Tagged ‘ Laws & Legislation ’

SEMA Action Network Lists 10 Best Automotive Bills of 2011

By Devlin Smith , January 4, 2012 in Business Resources

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) recently released its list of the best and worst automotive bills proposed by state legislatures in 2011. Not all of these laws were passed and those that weren’t could be reintroduced in future sessions, according to SAN.

The 10 best bills, according to SAN, were:

1. Washington S.B. 5586: Prohibits cities or towns from restricting inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property if screened from public view. Bill wasn’t enacted into law.

2. New York A.B. 2080/S.B. 3213: Creates a $100 one-time fee that would replace the current annual fee of $28.75 for the registration of historical motor vehicles. Bill wasn’t enacted into law.

SEMA SAN Names 10 Worst Automotive Bills of 2011

By Ashley Smissen , October 25, 2011 in News & Events

Each year, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) releases a list of the best and worst automotive bills to come out of state legislatures. The list is published in SAN’s monthly newsletter, Driving Force.

The following are the bills that were proposed in 2011 that would have been the most detrimental to the industry, according to SAN. None of these bills were enacted into law; however, according to the published story, they may be reintroduced in future sessions.

1. West Virginia H.B. 2190: The bill would have qualified vehicles with exhaust systems that were deemed too loud by a police officer to be guilty of “disturbing the peace,” a crime that carries a fine up to $1,000 per occurrence, six months in jail or both.

2. Arkansas H.B. 1252: The bill would have allowed cities to remove an inoperable vehicle from private property if the vehicle is deemed a “nuisance” under a local ordinance.

NLRB Changes Effective Date for Employee Rights Notice Posting Law

By Devlin Smith , October 6, 2011 in Business Resources

Last month, HRR reported on a new law to go into effect Nov. 14 that would require businesses to display the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) poster that informs workers of their right to unionize and bargain collectively with their employer.

The NLRB announced on Oct. 5 that it would be changing the effective date of the rule to Jan. 31, 2012.

Texas DMV Introduces Simplified Vehicle Registration Fee Structure

By Devlin Smith , August 31, 2011 in News & Events

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced a simplified registration fee structure that will begin on Sept. 1. Under the new program, the fee for classic license plates has been eliminated.

Currently, Texas has 1,745 fee categories for registration. That number is being reduced to nine weight classifications. The simplified structure makes it easier for Texans to know what they owe, and reduces administrative costs for the state, counties and private businesses, according to a Texas DMV press release.

Bill to Expand Use of Antique Vehicles Signed Into Illinois Law

By Ashley Smissen , August 17, 2011 in News & Events

SEMA announced that Legislation H.B. 3256, an Illinois bill that expands the use of antique vehicles, was signed into law on Tuesday by Governor Pat Quinn.

Under the new law, antique vehicles and replicas will be able to be driven without limitation during the warmer months of the year (April 1-Oct. 31). During the time period of Nov. 1-March 31, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration. The new law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

The state of Illinois defines an antique vehicle as “a motor vehicle that is more than 25 years of age, a bonafide replica or a fire-fighting vehicle more than 20 years old which is not used as fire-fighting equipment,” according to SEMA.

Texas Street Rod & Custom Vehicle Bill Signed Into Law

By Ashley Smissen , June 23, 2011 in News & Events

Legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles, including kit cars and replicas, was signed into Texas law earlier this week by Gov. Rick Perry.

H.B. 890, which also provides for special license plates for these vehicles, will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2011. The new law 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.”

This bill, according to SEMA, will allow 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.

Illinois, Nevada and Texas Legislation Updates

By Devlin Smith , May 31, 2011 in Business Resources, News & Events

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) has updated members on three pieces of legislation that could impact hobbyists in Illinois, Nevada and Texas.

Legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique-vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year (April 1 through Oct. 31) was approved unanimously by the full Illinois Senate. The bill already has been passed by the full Illinois House of Representatives and will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months (Nov. 1 through March 31). Regular antique-vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer only operating their vehicle on a limited-use basis throughout the year.

The Latest Industry Legislative Updates By State

By Ashley Smissen , April 19, 2011 in News & Events

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) has released updated reports a number of bills that affect the custom car, street rod and hot rod industries.

Nationwide: On Friday, April 15, the U.S. Senate passed Resolution 154 (S. Res. 154) at the request of SEMA and its ARMO and HRIA Councils. The resolution designates July 8, 2011 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.”

To read more about National Collector Car Appreciation Day click here.

Arizona: Bill to Exempt Older Vehicles from Emissions Inspection Program is Signed into Law

Legislation (S.B. 1324) which exempts all vehicles manufactured in the 1974 model year and earlier from the state’s mandatory biennial emissions inspection program has been signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Under previous law, only vehicles manufactured in 1966 and earlier and “collectibles” were exempt. The governor’s signature acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of older vehicles, such as the historic cars targeted for this exemption. These vehicles constitute a small portion of the vehicle fleet and are well-maintained and infrequently operated, according to SAN.

Due Date Approaching to Send in EPA Spray Paint Compliance Forms

By Ashley Smissen , January 26, 2011 in Paint & Body, Rod Shops

An EPA rule that establishes best practices for minimizing HAP emissions during surface coating operations recently took full effect on Jan. 10. The rule was issued in 2008 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate certain auto body refinishing operations.

Companies were required to contact the EPA by Jan. 11, 2010, informing the agency that they were subject to the standard. Companies subject to the rule must send the EPA a one-time notification form stating that they are in compliance with the rule by March 11, 2011. Click here for the compliance form.

New Laws & Regulatory Changes That Could Impact Your Business in 2011

By Devlin Smith , December 28, 2010 in Business Resources, Rod Shops

The start of a new year means the enactment of new federal, state and local laws and regulations that could impact many areas of your business, including how much you pay your employees and what you can write off on your taxes. A few of those new laws and regulations are listed below:

Accounting Today lists 11 federal and state regulatory changes in this article. Among the changes small business owners need to be aware of are a partial payroll tax holiday, tax credits for businesses that provide health insurance and unemployment insurance changes.