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

PRI’s Washington, D.C.-based legal and advocacy teams work continuously to protect and support motorsports venues, sanctioning bodies, and businesses around the nation. We are tracking several topics this month, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoing a SEMA- and PRI-opposed bill that would have mandated new vehicle safety measures, the U.S. House passing a resolution to overturn EPA EV mandates, and California legislative staff touring SEMA Garage.

SEMA and PRI Applaud California Gov. Newsom’s Veto of SB 961

SEMA and PRI applaud California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his decision to veto Senate Bill 961 (Wiener), a bill that would have fragmented national vehicle safety policies by mandating a state-level standard that could have conflicted with ongoing federal safety efforts and preempted national vehicle safety regulations. Under SB 961, certain new vehicles sold in California would have been required to come equipped with a passive speed notification system.
SEMA and PRI had expressed serious concerns about SB 961, citing its potential to disrupt the well-established federal regulatory framework governed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Mike Spagnola, SEMA’s president and CEO, emphasized the importance of a unified, national approach to vehicle safety standards: “Gov. Newsom’s veto of SB 961 demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that California’s vehicle safety policies are aligned with federal law, regulations, and policy. A patchwork of conflicting state regulations would have harmed consumers and the automotive industry, potentially stifling innovation and limiting choice.”
SB 961 would have required vehicles to be equipped with a passive speed notification system that audibly and visually alerts drivers when they exceed the speed limit by 10 mph or greater. However, the bill arbitrarily exempted several vehicle types, including medium- and heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles.
“While SEMA fully supports initiatives to improve road safety, SB 961 bypassed targeted, data-driven approaches in favor of broad mandates that could have created unnecessary complications,” Spagnola noted. “NHTSA is already actively evaluating speed assistance technology, and it is critical that the federal agency be allowed to continue its work on this issue.”
SEMA and PRI remain committed to working with policymakers to ensure that automotive safety regulations are balanced and fair and foster innovation. We would also like to thank our members who contacted their lawmakers and the Governor to oppose this bill.

U.S. House Passes Resolution to Overturn EPA EV Mandates; Heads to U.S. Senate for Action

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution (H.J. Res. 136), invalidating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) tailpipe emissions regulation. Under the leadership of the lead sponsor, Rep. John James (R-MI), the resolution passed with bipartisan support (215 – 191), with eight Democrats joining their Republican colleagues in voting for the SEMA- and PRI-supported resolution. The CRA pushes back against the EPA’s strictest motor-vehicle emissions standards ever enacted, which requires up to 83% of new vehicles sold by 2032 to be forms of electric vehicles (EVs) in order for automakers to comply.
The resolution now moves to the U.S. Senate, where Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) has introduced a companion resolution (S.J. Res. 75), which has garnered bipartisan support from 48 cosponsors. Both H.J. Res. 136 and S.J. Res. 75 now await consideration in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If enacted into law, the resolution would require the EPA to start over on its tailpipe emissions rulemaking, providing an opportunity for SEMA/PRI and other organizations to advocate for a technology-neutral rulemaking without EV mandates.
SEMA and PRI thank Rep. James for advocating that the EPA embrace technology-neutral policies in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in transportation, ensuring fairness across all vehicle technologies. The specialty-equipment industry has a forward-looking vision that embraces new technology to make vehicles cleaner and more efficient, including hydrogen, electric, and alternative fuels, and continues to improve the internal-combustion engine (ICE).
For more information, contact SEMA/PRI Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

California Legislative Staff Tour SEMA Garage, Learn About SEMA’s Important Role in Emissions Compliance

The staff of State Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, who represents California’s 56th Assembly District, which includes SEMA’s headquarters in Diamond Bar, recently visited the SEMA Garage to better understand the garage’s critical role in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The SEMA Garage’s Emissions Compliance Center, recognized by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a Certification-Ready Automotive Emissions Testing Laboratory, provides essential services for manufacturers developing emissions-compliant aftermarket parts.
SEMA’s impact on Assemblymember Calderon’s district is significant. There are 46 SEMA member companies in the 56th Assembly District, contributing $784.48 million in total economic output, supporting 2,730 jobs and generating $240.43 million in wages and benefits. As the representative of this vital economic hub, Calderon’s engagement with SEMA helps ensure that lawmakers understand the importance of a streamlined emissions compliance process to support industry innovation and growth.
“We are grateful to Assemblymember Calderon’s team for taking the time to visit the SEMA Garage and learn more about our work to support the aftermarket industry,” said Christian Robinson, SEMA/PRI’s senior director of state government affairs and grassroots. “Their engagement is key to ensuring that the laws and regulations affecting our industry promote innovation, protect small businesses, and support the local economy.”
SEMA, through its garage, works closely with CARB to issue Executive Orders (EOs), which certify that aftermarket parts meet California’s strict emissions regulations, allowing their legal sale and use across all 50 states. Over the last seven years, SEMA has facilitated 50% of all aftermarket EOs issued by CARB, completing over 700 applications for member companies. The SEMA Garage plays a vital role in this process, offering affordable emissions testing and compliance assistance.
For more information, or to host your own lawmakers on a visit to your facility, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.