We sent this Email out yesterday to our contact group:
ANNOUNCING BIG GAINS FOR OWNERS OF FORMER MILITARY VEHICLES
In discussions with DOT, Tom has secured the following agreements.
Effective Immediately: ANY former U.S. military vehicle under 10,000 GVW may register for regular registration regardless if there is a certification label.
Effective Date (approx 7/1): All Pre-1970 former military vehicles (US and foreign) may register for regular registration; (Auto, Truck, Farm, Collector, Hobbyist, etc.)
Confirmation of problem: 1970 & newer former military vehicles which lack a certification label may still be denied registration under 341.10(6), a problem which can only be corrected through legislation. (see the next item)
BIG GAINS FOR ALL VEHICLE OWNERS
Going Forward: DOT has acknowledged the need to draft legislation to amend 341.10(6). The way it's written now, any vehicle without a certification label can be denied registration, including every pre-'70 vehicle. It will be changed, to acknowledge the federal exemption for vehicles older than 25 years. We expect to draft legislation this year, and will push for passage next year. STAY TUNED.
ANNOUNCING BIG GAINS FOR OWNERS OF COLLECTOR VEHICLES (NOT HOBBYIST)
Note: These changes will not effect HOBBYIST registration *.
As you are aware, Collector registration has recently been denied over trivial items such as radios or hubcaps. When we previously asked your opinion about such changes, the response was overwhelmingly in favor of allowing minor modifications to Collector vehicles while still staying true to the spirit of an original or historic vehicle.
In discussions with DOT, Tom has secured the following agreements.
Effective Immediately: DMV will apply as much leniency as possible in deciding which vehicles qualify for Collector registration.
Going Forward: DOT wants a specific list of changes which cannot be considered when deciding originality, and will help draft and introduce legislation for next year.
You Can Help, by submitting your ideas for this list to us. (These are things that you think DMV should overlook on a Collector vehicle application.)
Here are some of our ideas: Wheels/Tires, Color, Radio/Sound System, Safety Upgrades (ie. safety glass windows, dual circuit brakes, radial tires), original options...
We plan to set up a webpage where you can register for or against the items. We'll share the results with you and the DOT.
* Please Note - HOBBYIST: Some owners of Hobbyist vehicles opposed the original bill, stating that Hobbyist owners did not wish those laws to change. In response, we are not proposing any changes to Hobbyist registration laws. Until and unless Hobbyist owners raise concerns and problems which they wish this group to address, we will not go there.
THE FUTURE OF THIS E-MAIL GROUP
This Email goes out to owners, clubs, businesses, farmers, organizations, etc. who share a common interest in preserving old vehicles of all sorts. By forming this email group, and by everybody acting united, we have succeeding in getting this bill passed. In doing this, we have created enough political power to support each others' causes.
It was critical to get at least a part of the bill passed because that validates the power of this group. In order to do that, the bill was stripped down to just the repeal of the military vehicle ban and it ended up directly benefiting only a small segment of our group: owners of former military vehicles. Those owners understand that others have contributed to their gain, and you can be sure they are anxious to repay that effort. But the bill did much more than that, because it proved to DOT and to Legislators that we are a powerful group. Now we have their attention and we are working on getting the rest of our concerns dealt with.
Our political strength comes from all of us working together.
TO DO
Remember Who Helped Us! Sen. Glenn Grothman and Assy. Rep. Evan Wynn were responsible for this Bill getting introduced and they voted for it! They deserve your THANKS, and please remember them when it comes time to place your vote.
Rep. Wynn is up for re-election soon, and he's a veteran and a terrific guy. Pass the word.
If you haven't already done so, contact your Legislators and THANK THEM for their support.
The votes were unanimous in both houses. Everybody came through for us. Locate and E-Mail your Legislators HERE.
Pass the word. Forward this E-Mail to others.
Sign-Up for E-Mails. Reply to me at
undy@mhtc.net and I'll add you. Likewise, if you want to be off the list, just let me know.