http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62925

Identical legislation (H.B. 688) has been introduced in the Tennessee House of Representatives (H.B. 688) and Senate (S.B. 1295) to exempt vehicles more than 25-years old from the state’s annual emissions inspection and maintenance program, where applicable. To qualify for the exemption, these vehicles must be registered as “antique motor vehicles.”

• 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 and S.B. 1295 provide 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 and S.B. 1295 acknowledge the relatively minimal environmental impact of older vehicles, such as the antique cars targeted for this exemption.

• H.B. 688 and S.B. 1295 recognize 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 and the Senate Transportation Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to request their support for H.B. 688 and S.B. 1295.

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.

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

Senator Jim Tracy - Chair
Phone: 615/741-1066
Email: sen.jim.tracy@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Steve Southerland - Vice-Chair
Phone: 615/741-3851
Email: sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Ken Yager - Secretary
Phone: 615/741-1449
Email: sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Tim Barnes
Phone: 615/741-2374
Email: sen.tim.barnes@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Mae Beavers
Phone: 615/741-2421
Email: sen.mae.beavers@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Andy Berke
Phone: 614/741-6682
Email: sen.andy.berke@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Dolores Gresham
Phone: 615/741-2368
Email: sen.dolores.gresham@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Douglas Henry
Phone: 615/741-3291
Email: sen.douglas.henry@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Bill Ketron
Phone: 615/741-6853
Email: sen.bill.ketron@capitol.tn.gov