SEMA Staff, Members Meet with Lawmakers
SEMA continued its advocacy efforts by taking part in nearly 100 meetings with Republican and Democratic lawmakers from Capitol Hill during June and July, the organization announced.
As part of the virtual 2021 SEMA Washington Rally, more than 60 SEMA member companies joined SEMA staff in meetings with officials from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Discussions focused on top industry issues, challenges, and concerns, chief among them the passage of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. SEMA members also spoke with federal lawmakers in opposition to electric vehicle mandates while voicing support for increased federal investments in roads and bridges, protecting motorized off-road recreational access, tax credits for businesses participating in trade shows and ensuring that aftermarket businesses can market products that are interoperable with vehicles that are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
The bipartisan RPM Act is a top priority for SEMA and will protect the motorsports industry against overreach from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the organization said. The bill clarifies the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete and protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars.
“We must continue to communicate with and educate elected officials about the issues that are important to the industry,” said Daniel Ingber, SEMA vice president of government and legal affairs. “We value the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and will continue to push for the rights of the aftermarket industry.”
The RPM Act was first introduced in 2016, after the EPA began interpreting the 50-year-old Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) to include race car conversions. The bill currently has Congressional support from 82 cosponsors, including a number of lawmakers who signed on after meeting with SEMA member business representatives and staff.
“We cannot let up on our efforts to push for the RPM Act,” said Ingber. “As the EPA attacks the motorsports industry, we must protect our rights to modify vehicles. The RPM Act will clarify that it is legal to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and give the industry the assurance it needs to continue to legally compete.”
