WASHINGTON, D.C. — State legislators around the country with a common goal to support the motor vehicle hobby have joined the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. Formed this year, the Caucus is a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles. Fifty state legislators from California to New York and points in between constitute the charter members.
The Caucus is anticipated to help raise the motor vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and in the eyes of the public. Working in state capitals, many of these legislators have sought to preserve and protect the hobby by seeking the amendment of existing motor vehicle statutes and creating new programs to safeguard and expand the hobby. Over the past several years, their work has brought a series of significant legislative accomplishments for the vehicle enthusiast community on issues ranging from equipment standards to registration classifications, and from emissions test exemptions to hobbyist rights.
Montana State Senator John Brueggeman, who is serving as the caucus chairman said, “From pre-World War II classics to street rods to 60s-era muscle cars to late model imports and everything in between, the automobile stands as a testimony to ingenuity and craftsmanship while serving as a source of recreation for tens of thousands of enthusiasts and collectors throughout the U.S. By joining the caucus, these legislators have demonstrated their commitment to enabling this enthusiasm for years to come.”
The caucus is being supported by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Government Affairs office in Washington, D.C. SEMA maintains an experienced government and technical affairs staff charged with monitoring, analyzing, advocating and communicating issues affecting the specialty automotive aftermarket industry and enthusiast groups.
“Our SEMA Action Network, a nationwide partnership between car clubs, individual enthusiasts and the specialty aftermarket parts industry designed to fight unfair automotive legislation and to support car friendly laws has proven a huge success,” commented SEMA Vice President of government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Thousands of automotive enthusiasts have access to our legislative information through our dedicated website (semasan.com), direct broadcast e-mail, monthly newsletter Driving Force and the many national and regional trade publications. Through the caucus, these hobbyists will now be able to quickly identify which state legislators have chosen to be recognized for their support of this great American hobby.”
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