For People in Texas, and others who like cars.

[tyoneal]

To everyone:

Re: (H.B. 890)

URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT (UPDATE)

Texas Street Rod and Custom Vehicle Bill Passed by Full Senate; Sent to Governor for Approval

SEMA model legislation (H.B. 890) to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was approved by the full Senate. The bill has already been approved by the full Texas House of Representatives. H.B. 890 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 bill will now be sent to Governor Rick Perry for his signature and enactment into law.

We Urge You to Contact Governor Rick Perry (Contact Info Below) Immediately and Request His Support for H.B. 890

H.B. 890 provides specific registration/titling classes and license plates for street rods and customs, including replicas. Street rods are of a pre-1949 vintage; customs are of the post-1949 era.

H.B. 890 allows for the use of non-original materials and creates a titling and registration criterion that assigns these vehicles the same model year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.

H.B. 890 only holds street rods, customs and replicas to the equipment standards specified by law during the model year listed on the title of the vehicle.

H.B. 890 recognizes the immeasurable amount of time, money and attention automotive enthusiasts invest in their hobby cars. Street rods, customs and replicas are the same crowd pleasers that participate in exhibitions and as parade vehicles, and whose owners regularly contribute to charities and civic events. This legislation represents an opportunity to acknowledge this family hobby and to protect it for future generations.
DON’T DELAY! Please contact Governor Perry immediately to urge his support for H.B. 890.
Please e-mail a copy of your letters to Steve McDonald at [email protected] Also, please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts. Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance.

Governor Rick Perry
Phone: 512/463-2000
Fax: 512/463-1849
Email: http://governor.state.tx.us/contact/assistance.aspx
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Please go here and tell Rick Perry to Sign this bill. It should help to keep our hobby strong and safe from the Federal Government.

If you don't live in Texas but know someone who does, please pass it along.

If you don't live in Texas and think you might someday, please get involved.

Hopefully other States will follow suit.

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

[tyoneal]

Here is the latest I have:

Texas Two-Step

Street Rod and Custom Vehicle Bill Becomes Law in the Lone Star State

After an effort that stretched into two legislative sessions, SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles, including kit cars and replicas, and provide for special license plates was approved by the Texas State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry.

Slated to go into effect on September 1, 2011, 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 law also allows for the use of non-original materials and creates a titling and registration criterion that assigns these vehicles the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. In addition, the law only holds street rods, customs and replicas to the equipment standards specified by law during the model year listed on the title of the vehicle and exempts them from emissions inspections. Certificates of title for replica vehicles will include the word 'replica'. "The bill was passed during this session because of the hard work of all Texas automotive enthusiasts and will help us with a simple and uniform method to title and register the cars built in this state," explained Texas SAN member John Crisler, who worked diligently to support the measure.

Texas joins 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), Tennessee (2008), Wyoming (2009), Utah (2009), North Carolina (2009), Massachusetts (2010) and Washington state (2011) as states that have enacted similar bills into law.

The new law is the product of two legislative sessions. In 2009, identical legislation that was approved in committee did not receive a vote by the full Texas House of Representatives before the legislators adjourned for the year.

"After the disappointment we experienced in 2009, it is extremely gratifying that the Texas legislature was ultimately persuaded to enact legislation recognizing the unique nature of these vehicles as hobbyist cars," said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "For the hundreds of vehicle enthusiasts in Texas that supported this bill, building, maintaining and enjoying these unique creations is a favorite pastime. This law represents an opportunity to acknowledge their commitment to the hobby and to protect it for future generations." The model bill will continue to be pursued by SEMA in states that either don't have registration classifications for these vehicles or have laws that are lacking in some way. SEMA efforts are ongoing this year to work with the state legislatures in New York and New Jersey on this initiative and to add others to that list in the coming legislative sessions.