<VV> Legislative updates - From Sema

Wed May 25 13:34:39 EDT 2005

Montana Governor Signs Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill Into Law

Enthusiasts in Montana scored a major victory as legislation (S.B. 507), which creates vehicle titling and registration classifications for street rods and custom vehicles, was signed into law by Governor Brian Schweitzer. 

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. The measure allows for the use of non-original materials and creates titling criteria that assign these vehicles the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. Vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours and similar events. 

Lawmakers in New England are looking to enact legislation as two identical versions of the bill (H.B. 2156 and H.B. 2212) have been introduced in Massachusetts. Officials in Maine are looking to add the custom-vehicle portion of the bill (H.B. 806) to their existing street-rod-friendly laws.

LEGISLATIVE HITS

Georgia Blue Dots: Legislation permitting the use of blue-dot taillights on antique, hobby and special-interest vehicles was signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue. The new law allows blue light or lights of up to one inch in diameter as part of a vehicle's rear stop lamps, rear turning indicator lamps, rear hazard lamps and rear reflectors.

Illinois Blue Dots: legislation to allow antique vehicles to display a blue light of up to one-inch diameter as part of the vehicle's rear stop lamps was recently passed by the Illinois Legislature and has been forwarded to the governor for his perusal. The measure recognizes that
blue dot taillights have no detrimental impact on safety and allows enthusiasts to modify their vehicles to recall in fine detail the glory days of the hot rod era in America.

New York: legislation (S.B. 4740) that would prohibit the "sale or use" of motor vehicles equipped with spinner hubcaps has been introduced in the New York State Legislature. Under the bill, vehicle owners could be fined up to $150 for a first offense, up to $300 for a second
offense and up to $750 for a third or subsequent offense. The legislation also proposes to fine those who sell spinner hubcaps $150 for each violation. 

New York Registration: The New York State Legislature has introduced a bill (A.B. 7413) that would change the existing $23 annual registration fee for historic motor vehicles to a one-time $23 fee. Current law allows a vehicle to be registered as historic if it is 25 years old or older, or if the DMV determines that the vehicle has historical, classic or exhibit value. 

South Carolina Property Tax: legislation (S.B. 776) has been introduced in the South Carolina State Legislature to provide an exemption from property taxes for motor vehicles licensed and registered as antiques. South Carolina law defines an "antique" as every motor vehicle which is
"over 25 years old, is owned solely as a collector's item and is used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar uses, but in no event used for general transportation." The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for consideration.

A Tale of Two Bills

Massachusetts and Pennsylvania reintroduce bills to ban aftermarket exhaust systems

lawmakers in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have introduced legislation that would restrict the sale and use of aftermarket exhaust systems. The Massachusetts bill (H.B. 2011) seeks to ban the sale or installation of  "an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust." Unlike previous versions, the bill now contains language to exclude limited-use "antique motor cars." The bill is currently before the House Transportation Committee.

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are also considering legislation (H.B. 1330) that would prohibit the sale and use of exhaust systems other than the "factory-installed muffler" or a "m uffler meeting factory specifications." The bill has been referred to the House Transportation Committee. 

Emissions Exemption Becomes Law in Arizona

Arizona scored a majority victory as legislation (H.B. 2357) which exempts qualified collectible vehicles from the state's mandatory emissions inspection and maintenance program was signed into law by Governor Janet Napolitano. 

The new law must now be adopted by the U.S. EPA as part of Arizona's state implementation plan for air quality.

Newly Introduced Legislation

Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures:

ANTIQUE/HISTORICAL VEHICLES

North Carolina HB 1223: Provides a registration plate to a historic vehicle owner free of charge if the owner is at least 65 years of age.

South Carolina HB 3882: Allows the use of year of manufacture license plates on vehicles built from the model year 1972 or older.

EQUIPMENT

Delaware HB 128: Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with a television capable of receiving any visual presentation unless the monitor is behind the driver during vehicle operation. Provides exceptions for GPS,
vehicle information displays.

New York AB 7522: Establishes the Motor Vehicle Owner¹s Right to Repair Act of 2002 to require auto manufacturers to release vehicle repair information to owners.

New York SB 4396: Requires that tires must have a date of manufacture molded on both sides of tires for vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds.

Louisiana HB 767: Changes excessive noise statutes regarding vehicle sound systems to provide for the seizure of license plates for up to 30 days on the first offense, and up to 90 days on the second offense.

VEHICLE EMISSIONS/INSPECTIONS

Ohio SB 120: Exempts vehicles 25 years and older, historic vehicles, and other certain vehicles from the proposed remote sensing vehicle emissions program.

Louisiana HB 568: Removes the fees and requirements for obtaining vehicle safety inspection certificates on motor vehicles. This bill is accompanied by another bill (HB 553) which would increase the motor vehicle license tax by up to $5.25. Each bill requires that the other pass in order to take effect.

INOPERABLE VEHICLES

Wisconsin AB 240: Changes the definition of an unregistered motor vehicle and the provisions for impounding such a vehicle so that it applies to any motor vehicle that is located upon a highway and is not displaying valid
license plates or a temporary operation plate.

LIGHTING
Wisconsin AB 98: Requires the use of headlights under certain climatic conditions.

VEHICLE RACING

Massachusetts HB 2249: Further regulates drag racing in the city of Springfield by making any vehicle used in a drag race subject to forfeiture.

Scott Morehead

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