February has gotten off to a blazing start, so much so that we’ve yet to give you this month’s SEMA Law & Order updates. But being Valentine’s Day and all, we figured we’d spread the love in the only way we know how and catch you all up on what’s going on in the industry that you should be aware of, especially with the love of your car on the line!

The first update we have for you on a state level comes from Massachusetts where a pilot program has been introduced to test out the market for a vehicle mileage user fee. This program would affect only 1,000 individuals to begin with, who would all carry mileage trackers in their vehicles and pay a fee according to how many miles they drove. If deemed successful, the program could be expanded to all drivers in the state of Massachusetts in the future.

While vehicles are progressively getting better fuel economy these days, states are looking for ways to supplement money lost from gas-tax revenue. This means that in the future, Massachusetts as well as other states looking to gain more revenue could transition into using vehicle mileage user fees. Unfortunately, this type of program would affect even recreational hot rod owners as miles to and from events, cruises, and parade expeditions would be taxed.

Good news comes out of Ohio this month as a unanimous vote was cast by the Senate Transportation Committee to define the term “white light” as it applies to the required color of headlamps on all road-going vehicles. Per the vote, headlamps will continue to be considered white even if they display a blue or purple tint but still fall within the federal boundaries of what is considered white light. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for final approval.

Ohio enthusiasts are also watching another bill closely this month as SEMA-backed legislation aims to amend the existing Motor Vehicle Code, which only allows designated historic motor vehicles to be on the road for club activities, parade use, and similar reasons rather than regular transport, to allow historic motor vehicles to be driven to and from a shop for maintenance without the risk of legal retribution.

If passed, those vehicles that are designated as historic motor vehicles by Ohio law would be free to drive on the roadways to and from a destination for maintenance or automotive work.

Moving to federal updates, enthusiasts that spend time in Canada can rest assured that Canada’s Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations have recently been updated to coincide with tire standards in the United States. This means that tires being sold in Canada will be guaranteed to have been manufactured to the same safety standards as tires sold here in the States. The recent update also allows the enforcement of winter tire standards in our sister country.

More good news comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has acknowledged that the 2007 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) sets an unrealistic mandate on the required amount of ethanol blended into gasoline. The RFS requires an increase in the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline from 9 billion gallons starting in 2008 to 36 billion gallons in 2022.

Currently, gasoline with ten percent ethanol is widely sold in the United States and opposition is prevalent to increase gasoline to 15 percent ethanol, which would be closer to the mandated increase in RFS standards but potentially more damaging to older (pre 2001) vehicles and engines. Congress is set to consider legislation that would decrease ethanol mandates on gasoline later this year.

It’s the month of love and the hot rod community is certainly feeling it from SEMA and the SEMA Action Network (SAN) this month as they continue to fight for the rights of classic car owners. Be sure to check back next month for more SEMA Law & Order updates.