The road to success is often marked with unsuspected twists and turns. This is exactly what SAN members in Massachusetts have experienced over the last month in working to pass a titling and registration bill for street rods and custom vehicles.
After working tirelessly for the last two legislative sessions it seemed like the end was in sight when the measure was approved by the Legislature in the closing days of 2008. However, it was “pocket vetoed” by Governor Deval Patrick after he failed to sign the bill within 10 days of receiving it. The SEMA Government Affairs office will work to uncover and mitigate concerns raised by the Governor as the bill may be reintroduced this year.
It was through the persistence of one particular individual, Methuen City Councilman Joe Leone, that the bill was even given consideration amongst the chaos that exists in the closing days of a legislative session. An avid enthusiast and owner of a FFR Roadster, Leone worked to educate lawmakers on the positive benefits that this bill would have on the enthusiast community.
“We are deeply indebted to Joe for his determined efforts to get the bill through the Legislature,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs. “From countless e-mails, phone calls and visits to the State House, he helped to ensure that this pro-hobby bill would receive attention from lawmakers and has pledged to continue in this effort.” In quoting Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood from his new movie Gran Torino, Leone joked with SEMA staff in saying, “I finish things...that’s what I do.”
Based on the SEMA-model Street Rod/Custom Vehicle bill, the bill defined 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 bill allowed kit cars and replica vehicles to be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicles they most closely resemble.
Special thanks are also due to Dana and Lenny Schaeffer of Chop-Shop Customs; Paul Saulnier of the Dominators Car Club; John Buchanan of the Mass Cruisers Car Club; and to the officers and member clubs of the Massachusetts Association of Automobile Clubs.
To date the SEMA-model bill has been enacted in one form or another in Washington state (1999), California (2001), Illinois (2002), Missouri (2004), Rhode Island (2004), Hawaii (2004), Montana (2005), Maine (2005), Colorado (2006), Arkansas (2007), Virginia (2007), Nevada (2007), Florida (2007), Idaho (2008), Iowa (2008) and Tennessee (2008). The New York, New Jersey and Wyoming Legislatures have already or will introduce the SEMA model for the 2009 legislative session.
For more information or to download a copy of the SEMA-model Street Rod/Custom Vehicle bill, visit www.semasan.com.