Keep the Pressure on Congress to Pass the RPM Act

Vol. 24, No. 12, March 25, 2021
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Over the past few weeks, Congress has seen an outpouring of support for the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act” (RPM Act). The racing community and the motorsports parts industry have blanketed Congressional offices with nearly 900,000 letters in support of the RPM Act. SEMA thanks everyone who has taken time to submit a letter to their lawmakers, as it is imperative that members of Congress are reminded that they must act to protect racing from EPA overreach. Please keep up the momentum, tell Congress to Save Our Racecars.

SEMA is currently working with the RPM Act’s strongest supporters in Congress to officially reintroduce the bill in a way that maximizes its chances of becoming law. We are also working with congressional offices that support the RPM Act to find other pathways to enact it. Last week, six U.S. Senators requested that the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee include the RPM Act in the highway bill, which must become law before the current authorization expires on September 31, 2021.

Passing the RPM Act is SEMA’s top federal legislative priority, as federal statute must clarify that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to a street vehicle for the purpose of converting it into a dedicated racecar. The RPM Act confirms that it is legal to manufacture, sell and install race parts. The legislation would also reverse the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act (CAA) does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck, or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways.

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.