Tracking legal, legislative, and regulatory developments impacting the racing and performance industry.

PRI’s Washington, DC-based legal and advocacy teams work continuously to protect and support motorsports venues, sanctioning bodies, and businesses around the nation. We are tracking several initiatives this month, including legislation to secure consumer freedom and protect vehicle choice in Maine, Kansas, Kentucky, and Alaska.

Maine Governor Signs Bill Requiring Legislative Approval for Clean Car Laws

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed PRI-supported legislation (L.D. 2261) that would reclassify the state’s adoption of California’s clean-car rules as a “major substantive rule,” requiring the legislature to provide final approval of the regulation, not the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP).
Under current law, citizens—including environmental groups—can initiate the regulatory process for minor updates upon submission of a petition with 150 voters’ signatures.
In March, Maine’s BEP voted against adopting a PRI-opposed proposal requiring that 82% of new vehicles sold in the state be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) by 2032. Drafted in response to a citizen petition from an environmental group, the rule aimed to tighten emissions standards for new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles sold in Maine, aligning the state with California’s latest clean-car rules, which the state has historically followed.
“This legislation ensures Mainers have the final say on what cars they drive, not a small group pushing an agenda that doesn’t reflect the needs of the entire state,” said Christian Robinson, SEMA & PRI’s senior director of state government affairs and grassroots.
PRI believes that Mainers, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. In the case of Maine, it rebukes the push of 150 citizens who attempted to determine policy for the rest of the state.

Kansas Governor Signs Bill Protecting Vehicle Choice into Law

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed the legislature’s House Bill (H.B. 2783) into law, which ensures consumers’ choice of vehicle power plants and fuel technologies.
The PRI-supported law officially prohibits a state agency, city, or county from restricting the sale or use of motor vehicles based on the energy source. Kansas lawmakers passed a similar, non-binding resolution during last year’s legislative session, but this year’s bill now makes it a law in the state.
“PRI thanks Kansas’ lawmakers and Governor Kelly for the enactment of H.B. 2783,” said Robinson. “History has shown that consumer choice and innovation are the cornerstones of a thriving automotive industry, and this bill aligns perfectly with these principles. In fact, seven states have now passed these PRI-led ‘ban the ban’ laws over the past two years.”
PRI supports an “all of the above” approach to vehicle technology policy, advocating that the innovators, consumers, and the marketplace should decide the direction of vehicle propulsion technology and that the government should remain technology neutral. With this new law, Kansas residents will continue to decide what vehicles are best for them and their families.

Kentucky Governor Allows Bill Blocking California Emissions Standards to Become Law

The Kentucky legislature’s Senate Bill (S.B. 215), which restricts the state from adopting California’s stricter emissions standards for new vehicles, has become law without Governor Andy Beshear’s signature.
The PRI-supported law prohibits the state from setting or enforcing regulations on emissions that align with California’s plan to phase out the sale of new gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035. While not signing the bill, Governor Beshear allowed it to pass into law without his veto.
“PRI applauds Governor Beshear’s decision to allow S.B. 215 to become law,” said Robinson. “This legislation empowers Kentuckians to make informed choices about the vehicles they use for work, transportation, and recreation. Kentuckians know their needs best, and this law ensures they have the freedom to select vehicles that fit their budget and lifestyle.”

Alaska Advances Bill to Protect Vehicle Choice

Alaska lawmakers have advanced PRI-supported legislation (H.B. 375) to ensure consumers’ choice of vehicle power plants and fuel technology by preventing a state agency, county, or city from limiting access to internal combustion engines (ICE).
PRI was invited to testify in support of H.B. 375 before the Alaska House Committee on Labor and Commerce. Following the testimony, the bill successfully passed the committee and is now awaiting consideration by the full House.
“H.B. 375 is a pro-consumer, pro-innovation, and pro-business piece of legislation,” said Colby Martin, PRI’s director of state government affairs, during the hearing. “PRI urges the committee to support this bill and allow the automotive industry to continue delivering the freedom and choice that Alaskans deserve.”