Pennsylvania Ethanol: A legislative proposal to remove the requirement that gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol was approved on a 23–3 vote by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The state currently requires that “all gasoline sold or offered for sale to ultimate consumers in this Commonwealth must contain at least 10% cellulosic ethanol by volume….” After a stop in the Appropriations Committee, the bill will be considered in a vote by all members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

U.S. Representatives Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Gene Green (D-TX) introduced bipartisan legislation that would enable low-volume car manufacturers to produce turn-key replica vehicles for customers nationwide. Called the Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act of 2015 (H.R. 2675), the SEMA-supported bill would allow companies to construct up to 500 “replicas” per year. Those are cars that resemble another production vehicle manufactured at least 25 years ago.

California labeling: SEMA-opposed legislation to require manufacturers of certain automotive products to include all ingredients on the product label and online on the manufacturer’s website was put in the inactive file. The bill had been approved by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and Appropriations Committee.

While it’s too soon to tell who the next commander in chief will be, the field of contenders has begun to take shape. The candidates feature some very familiar names as well as some newcomers who have already made their marks. Who will emerge the victor? Let’s examine the players.

Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

The laws and regulations that govern how SEMA members do business have a growing impact on the way automotive specialty-equipment products are made, distributed and marketed. SEMA’s charge is to stay on top of relevant state and federal legislation and regulations to ensure the best possible outcome for its membership. The following are just a few examples of critical legislative/regulatory issues that the SEMA government affairs team was involved in this year.