URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Ohio Bill to Further Restrict Inoperable Project Vehicles on the Move
A bill (H.B. 560) in Ohio that would further restrict the ability of state vehicle hobbyists from maintaining inoperable vehicles on private property is likely to be considered on Tuesday, November 28th. The bill provides authority to townships to remove inoperable vehicles deemed to be "junk," including collector cars, from private property. Under current Ohio law, a junk motor vehicle must be "three model years old or older; apparently inoperable; extensively damaged, including, but not limited to, any of the following: missing wheels, tires, engine or transmission."
We Urge You to Contact the Bill's Sponsor and the Chairman of the Local and Municipal Government and Urban Revitalization Committee Immediately To Oppose H.B. 560.
H.B. 560 would give local authorities an inordinate amount of power in determining the disposition of historic project cars.
H.B. 560 would make it virtually impossible for Ohio hobbyists to maintain inoperable collector vehicles on private property.
H.B. 560 demonstrates a lack of understanding of the vehicle hobby and the rights of hobbyists.
H.B. 560 ignores the distinction between an owner using private property as a dumping ground and a vehicle enthusiast working to maintain, restore or construct a vehicle.
Generally, the SEMA Action Network supports legislation that permits the outdoor storage of a motor vehicle if the vehicle is maintained in such a manner as not to constitute a health hazard. These vehicles could be located away from public view, or screened by means of a suitable fence, trees, shrubbery, opaque covering or other appropriate means. H.B. 560, however, makes no concession for even properly maintained project cars.
DON'T DELAY!!! Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org Forward a copy of this ALERT to all interested persons. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter!
Sponsor of H.B. 560
Representative Clyde Evans
Telephone: (614) 466-1366
Fax: (614) 719-6987
Email Address: district87@ohr.state.oh.us
Chairman of Local and Municipal Government and Urban Revitalization Committee
Representative Larry Wolpert
Telephone: (614) 466-9690
Fax: (614) 719-6962
Email Address: district23@ohr.state.oh.us
Historical motor vehicle: any motor vehicle that is more than twenty-five years old and that is owned solely as a collector's item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses, but in no event is used for general transportation.
Collector's vehicle: any motor vehicle or agricultural tractor or traction engine that is of special interest, that has a fair market value of one hundred dollars or more, whether operable or not, and that is owned, operated, collected, preserved, restored, maintained, or used essentially as a collector's item, leisure pursuit, or investment, but not as the owner's principal means of transportation.
Licensed collector's vehicle: a collector's vehicle, other than an agricultural tractor or traction engine, that displays current, valid license tags issued under section 4503.45 of the Revised Code, or a similar type of motor vehicle that displays current, valid license tags issued under substantially equivalent provisions in the laws of other states.
Updated 12/21/06
Ohio Inoperable Vehicles:
SEMA is opposing Ohio legislation that would restrict the ability of state vehicle hobbyists from maintaining inoperable vehicles on private property. The bill was approved by the House Municipal Government and Urban Revitalization Committee. Under the measure, townships would have the authority to remove inoperable vehicles deemed to be "junk," including collector cars, from private property. Under current Ohio law, a junk motor vehicle must be "three model years old or older; apparently inoperable; extensively damaged, including, but not limited to, any of the following: missing wheels, tires, engine or transmission." SEMA supports legislation that permits the outdoor storage of motor vehicles if the vehicles are maintained in such a manner so as not to constitute a health hazard. These vehicles could be located away from public view, or screened by means of a suitable fence, trees, shrubbery, opaque covering or other appropriate means.