New legislation to protect modified motor vehicles

Bill seeks to overturn threat to modified racecars and parts suppliers

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting has praised Congressional members for their introduction of a bipartisan bill that would protect thousands of American racecar enthusiasts from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

“The EPA’s new interpretation of the Clean Air Act would essentially rewrite the law and 46 years of policy and practice,” said Kersting. “Without congressional intervention, the racing community and racing parts manufacturers would be operating outside of that new law and could be targeted for enforcement.” The language in H.R. 4715 makes clear Congress’ intent to exclude competition-only cars from the scope of the Clean Air Act, including converted street vehicles.

H.R. 4715, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016 (RPM Act), was introduced by Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Bill Posey (R-FL) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) to ensure that converting street vehicles to racecars used exclusively in competition does not violate the Clean Air Act. The practice was unquestioned until last year when the EPA published draft regulations that would make vehicle and engine conversions illegal and subject to the law’s tampering penalties.

The RPM Act has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration. The EPA proposed regulations are scheduled to be finalized this summer.

The RPM Act has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration. The EPA proposed regulations are scheduled to be finalized this summer.

Supporters of legislation to overturn the EPA regulation may contact their member of Congress and urge them to support the RPM Act by clicking here.

For updates and additional information, visit:

- www.sema.org/epa-news
- facebook/sema.org
- twitter/semamembers
- Instagram/semashow
- use #saveourracecars, #rpmact2016