Utah representatives pass bill recognizing vintage vehicles

SEMA ACTION NETWORK URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT (UPDATE) Utah House of Representatives Passes Bill to Classify Vehicles 30 Years Old and Older as “Vintage Vehicles”; Bill to be Considered by Senate Transportation…

SEMA ACTION NETWORK URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT (UPDATE)

Utah House of Representatives Passes Bill to Classify Vehicles 30 Years Old and Older as “Vintage Vehicles”; Bill to be Considered by Senate Transportation Committee

Legislation (H.B. 221) to allow vehicles 30 years old and older to be classified as “vintage vehicles” was approved by the Utah House of Representatives. Currently, Utah reserves the “vintage vehicle” class only to vehicles 40 years old and older. Under the bill, “vintage vehicles” 30 - 40 years old would be charged a $45 annual registration fee. When the vehicle reaches 40 years old, the registrant would pay a one-time $40 fee. Vintage vehicles are exempted from annual emissions and safety inspections. Having been approved by the Senate Rules Committee, the bill now moves to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration.

We Urge You to Contact Members of the Utah Senate Transportation Committee (List Attached Below) Immediately to Request Their Support for H.B. 221

· Utah exempts vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 from emissions inspections. Vehicles manufactured after that date must be registered as “vintage vehicles” or “customs” to qualify for this exemption.

· H.B. 221 acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of older vehicles, such as the vintage vehicles targeted for inclusion in the “vintage vehicle” exemption.

H.B. 221 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 Utah Senate Transportation Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to request their support for H.B. 221.

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.

Utah Senate Transportation Committee

Senator Kevin Van Tassell - Chair
Phone: 435/789-7082
Email: kvantassell@utahsenate.org

Senator J. Stuart Adams
Phone: 801/593-1776
Email: jsadams@utahsenate.org

Senator Scott K. Jenkins
Phone: 801/621-5412
Email: sjenkins@utahsenate.org

Senator Peter C. Knudson
Phone: 435/723-6366
Email: pknudson@utahsenate.org

Senator Karen Mayne
Phone: 801/968-7756
Email: kmayne@utahsenate.org

Angelo Van Bogart is the editor of Old Cars magazine and wrote the column "Hot Wheels Hunting" for Toy Cars & Models magazine for several years. He has authored several books including "Hot Wheels 40 Years," "Hot Wheels Classics: The Redline Era" and "Cadillac: 100 Years of Innovation." His 2023 book "Inside the Duesenberg SSJ" is his latest. He can be reached at avanbogart@aimmedia.com