TN Bill to Exempt Certain Older Vehicles from Emissions Tests Scheduled for Hearing

[SEMA Action Network]

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62934

Legislation (H.B. 688) to exempt vehicles more than 25-years old from the state’s annual emissions inspection and maintenance program will be considered by the Tennessee House Conservation and Environment Committee on March 23, 2011. To qualify for the exemption, these vehicles must be registered as “antique motor vehicles.”

We Urge You to Contact Members of the Tennessee House Conservation and Environment Committee (List Attached Below) Immediately to Request Their Support for H.B. 688

For those interested in attending the hearing to voice support, the Committee will meet on Wed., March 23 at 12:30 p.m. at the following address:

Room 29, Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243

• Existing law only exempts vehicles manufactured before the 1975 model year from emissions inspection. Currently, annual emissions inspections must be passed prior to registration and renewal in the counties of Hamilton, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson and in the city of Memphis.

• Existing law defines an antique vehicles as a motor vehicle over 25-years old with a non-modified engine and body that is used for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar uses as a collector's item; on the highways for the purpose of selling, testing the operation of, or obtaining repairs or maintenance; and for general transportation on Saturday and Sunday.

• H.B. 688 provides for a rolling emissions inspection exemption that would exempt qualifying vehicles upon enactment and would pick up an additional model year for each year the law is in effect.

• H.B. 688 acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of older vehicles, such as the antique cars targeted for this exemption.

• H.B. 688 recognizes that such vehicles constitute a small portion of the vehicle fleet and are well-maintained and infrequently operated.

DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the Tennessee House Conservation and Environment Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to request their support for H.B. 688.

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. 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.

House Conservation and Environment Committee

Representative David Hawk - Chair
Phone: 615/741-7482
Email: rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Ron Lollar - Vice-Chair
Phone: 615/741-7084
Email: rep.ron.lollar@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Richard Floyd - Secretary
Phone: 615/741-2746
Email: rep.richard.floyd@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Sheila Butt
Phone: 615/741-3005
Email: rep.sheila.butt@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Charles Curtis
Phone: 615/741-1963
Email: rep.charles.curtiss@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Brenda Gilmore
Phone: 615/741-1997
Email: rep.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Andy Holt
Phone: 615/741-7847
Email: rep.andy.holt@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Mike Kernell
Phone: 615/741-3726
Email: rep.mike.kernell@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Pat Marsh
Phone: 615/741-6824
Email: rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Michael McDonald
Phone: 615/741-1980
Email: rep.michael.mcdonald@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Frank Niceley
Phone: 615/741-4419
Email: rep.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov

Representative Art Swann
Phone: 615/741-5481
Email: rep.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov

Representative John Tidwell
Phone: 615/741-7098
Email: rep.john.tidwell@capitol.tn.gov