LEGISLATIVE QUICK HITS
Hawaii “Collector Car Appreciation Day”: Two resolutions have been approved by the Hawaii State Legislature recognizing July 13, 2012 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.” Earlier this year, the SAN designated this date to mark the third commemoration in what has become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The SAN is again working to secure a U.S. Congressional resolution to recognize the day’s significance. In the previous two years, thousands of Americans have gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage. By taking part in these events around the country, these automotive enthusiasts and related businesses ensured that their passion was honored and recognized.
California Emissions: Legislation to exempt all motor vehicles prior to the 1981 model year from the emissions inspection requirement will not be reconsidered by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee after failing its initial vote. According to bill sponsor Senator Doug LaMalfa, “Although the bill was granted reconsideration, the opponents contend the exemption is intended as a means of ignoring the effects of pollution caused by older, high-emissions vehicles rather than a legitimate benefit for classic car collectors whose vehicles are rarely driven. My efforts to convince my colleagues of the merits of the bill have been unsuccessful, and therefore, the bill has been dropped for this year and, of course, I am very disappointed.” This is not the first setback we’ve suffered at the hands of the California legislature nor is it likely to be the last. However, we can take comfort in the fact that lawmakers like Senator LaMalfa continue to push for fairness in how the state’s vehicle inspection laws are applied, particularly to rarely used, well-maintained collector cars.
Ethanol Update
SAN Opposes EPA Action to Allow E15 Despite Continuing Threat of Automobile Damage
The SEMA Action Network (SAN) continues to oppose decisions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to permit the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15). The EPA has previously granted waivers to market the fuel for model year 2001 and newer vehicles, despite industry concern that it poses a risk to older vehicles and certain high performance specialty equipment of any age. The EPA has now begun approving E15 registration applications, the next step to permitting the fuel to be sold commercially.
The SAN opposes the sale of E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. Ethanol also burns hotter and can cause some engines to stall, misfire and overheat
The EPA’s decision to permit the sale of E15 for newer vehicles was based on limited scientific research. The SAN supports federal legislation (HR 3199) that would direct the National Academies to conduct a comprehensive assessment of E15 and E20 gasoline. Under the bill, the research would include an evaluation of the safety, durability, and performance effects on engines and related equipment for motor vehicles and boats.
The EPA agrees with the SAN that E15 poses a risk to an estimated 74 million pre-2001 vehicles in the marketplace, including many collector cars. The SAN opposes the EPA’s solution, which is simply to require a gas pump warning label and make it “illegal” for the consumer to fuel older vehicles with ethanol-blended gasoline. The agency makes it the vehicle owner’s responsibility to understand the potential threat posed by E15 and does not provide immunity to gas stations, automakers or others in the market from lawsuits if a consumer alleges equipment failure from E15.
The SAN will continue to oppose E15 until there are conclusive scientific findings that demonstrate that it will not harm automobiles of any age as a result of corrosion or other chemical incompatibilities.
What’s Happening in Your State?
The SAN Tracks Hundreds of Legislative Initiatives Affecting the Motor Vehicle Hobby
So far this year, thousands of new legislative initiatives have been introduced across the U.S. and Canada, hundreds of which are being closely tracked and analyzed by the SEMA Action Network (SAN). We’ve already had several successes, most prominently in Maryland (historic vehicles), Virginia (backyard restoration), Utah (vintage trailers), Washington State (restoration and customizing) and Nebraska (special interest vehicles) with many more to come. Because of you, the SAN remains the premier hobbyist network of its kind.
Now that we are five months into the new legislative season, we have compiled an updated list of new bills that may be of interest to vehicle enthusiasts. The most pressing of these bills will continue to be the subject of Action Alerts that are e-mailed to SAN members and highlighted here in our monthly publication, Driving Force. The compilation is available on the SAN website,
. Along the top menu bar of the website you will find ‘LEGISLATION’. Select ‘State’ and then choose the state of interest to view a list of pending legislation.
Some of the bills listed on the site will not advance past introduction; others will go on to become the laws of tomorrow. As bills progress through the legislature, the SAN aims to inform our contacts and continue to encourage their participation in the legislative process through e-mails and phone calls to state representatives. Such correspondence has a proven and direct impact on the decisions of legislators.
We encourage you to visit
. The information on this site will provide you with the tools you need to help affect real change, protect the hobby from detrimental state laws, and proactively support favorable ones. Please contact Greg Dooley at
gregd@sema.org
if you have any questions. He would be happy to provide you with any bill’s full text, current
status and committee information.
CAUCUS CORNER
Each month, Driving Force features members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The SEMA-supported caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, almost 600 members strong, whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles.
Here are its newest members:
Arkansas
Representative Tommy Thompson
Maryland
Delegate Kelly Schulz
New York
Assemblymember Jane Corwin
New York
Assemblymember Tony Jordan
New York
Assemblymember Dean Murray
New York
Assemblymember Philip Palmesano
Visit
for a complete list of caucus members.
Highway Bound
Thousands of Hobbyists Pack Up For Another Unforgettable Hot Rod
Power Tour
For those who haven’t experienced it, the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour is like going on a road trip with your extended family, only this family is comprised of thousands of fellow automotive enthusiasts. Although many participants may not have previously known one another or even share the same vehicle interests, the kinship that is created among the group by the Tour’s end is inspiring. Throughout the journey, there are many opportunities to bond with others, both planned and unplanned: lunch detours, performance competitions and highway troubleshooting. In fact, Long Haulers (those who complete the entire route) make up only a part of the spectacle; many of the rides will join the Tour for only a portion of it. Even the local residents along the way turn up in great numbers to witness the Tour’s eye candy.
Events like the Power Tour embody the same spirit we encourage at the SEMA Action Network (SAN): gathering enthusiasts together, regardless of style preferences, to unite and enhance the camaraderie inherent in our all-American hobby. Throughout the week’s adventure, the SAN staff will once again meet a great number of the Network’s supporters, and gain many more. Thousands of new members have become involved with the SAN’s cause based on participation in this event over the years.
The journey this year will stop at in the following cities: Detroit, Michigan (June 2); Muskegon, Michigan (June 3); Champaign, Illinois (June 4); Madison, Illinois (June 5); Miami, Oklahoma (June 6); Stillwater, Oklahoma (June 7); Arlington, Texas (June 
. Please visit us in front of the official Power Tour bus if you’re able to make any of the stops. See you on the road!
For information about the event, visit
