1. Arizona Emissions Exemption: The Arizona Automobile Hobbyist Council (AAHC) spearheaded an effort to create an emissions test exemption for vehicles at least 15 years old that are insured as collectibles. The bill was amended to require state regulators to contact the U.S. EPA to seek approval for the exemption. The legislature also agreed to exempt drivers of historic trucks from the requirement of having a commercial driver's license, if the vehicle has been issued a historic license plate. Both measures were signed into law.

2. California Zero-Emissions Vehicle Mandate: A federal judge issued a two-year injunction on California's zero-emissions-vehicle (ZEV) program. The injunction will delay enforcement of the program pending the outcome of a lawsuit brought by some of the automakers. The suit argues that California is attempting to regulate automotive fuel economy, an authority reserved for the federal government.

3. California Specially Constructed Vehicles: A bill to eliminate the requirement that the registration provided to specially constructed vehicles in California must be an initial registration for that vehicle passed in the California Assembly. The measure already has passed in the full Senate. The bill amends a California law enacted last year to provide a more accurate emissions-system certification and model year designation for specially constructed vehicles, including kit cars.

4. Massachusetts Specialty Exhaust Systems: Legislation to prohibit 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" has been approved by the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Public Safety. This is the same bill that was sent out for a study last year after SEMA voiced objections to the measure. The bill will next be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee and could soon be voted on by the full House of Representatives. SEMA would like to highlight the efforts of Massachusetts SEMA Action Network clubs including Bearing Burners, Massachusetts Cruisers Auto Club and Ty-Rods for their efforts in opposing this legislation.

5. New Hampshire Antique Cars: Authored by SEMA Action Network member Representative Lawrence Artz (R-Nashua), a bill to exempt from "junkyard" control regulations those antique vehicles owned and maintained by automotive collectors was passed by the New Hampshire Legislature and signed into law. Antique motor vehicles, defined as those more than 25 years old, are only required to be stored and repaired by the owner out of public view by means of inside storage, fencing, trees or shrubbery. The measure applies only to noncommercial antique vehicle restoration activities and limits the total number of vehicles stored outside to five.