Save the Texas Dune Buggy Updates

[Faron]

Monday, January 21st, 2019, Ron our Lobbyist, gave us an update. He said that the Newly appointed Texas State Senate Transportation Committee for the 86th Legislative session was announced. That is good news as it means that they will finally get things underway, we hope.
Chair: Sen. Robert Nichols, Jacksonville
Vice Chair: Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills
Members: Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston
Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D- Edinburg
Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst, R-Brenham
Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
Sen. José R. Rodríguez, D-El Paso
Sen. Charles Schwertner, R- Georgetown
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas
As of the time that I am writing this, our Bill is being rewritten by Attorneys, once they have put everything into the "legal language", it will be presented to us in order to look over and make any corrections we feel might be necessary. We will post when this happens.
After the Attorneys have done their due diligence Texas State Senator Ed Thompson (R) District 29 will present our Bill to the Texas State House Transportation Committee.
After the House Transportation Committee, the Bill will be presented to the Texas State Senate Transportation Committee.
Once both the House & Senate Transportation Committees have passed our Bill. It will be presented to both the House as well as the Senate Floor for Debate.
At this point, you are probably asking yourself what you can be doing while this LONG process takes place.
Most importantly, you can follow along on the "Save the Texas Dune Buggy, Sandrail, & Kitcar Facebook page.
Be prepared to attend any meetings that we ask you to attend. (On the Save the Texas Dune Buggy, Sandrail, & Kitcar Facebook Page.) So get those dress clothes to the cleaners in order to be prepared, we HAVE GOT TO HAVE LARGER NUMBERS show up to the meetings we ask you to attend than we have in the past. Remember there is strength in numbers.
It is understood that it feels a lot like we are asking everyone to sit on our hands, seeing how we were all so individually active a few months back. But sending letters & making calls at this time very well could do more harm than good at this point. As each Legislator is getting bombarded and their time is very limited right now. What we need to do is let Ron (Our Lobbyist) do the job we are paying him for. I have been with him in Downtown Austin on more than one occasion, it seems everyone who walks around downtown Austin, knows who Ron is & knows who he represents. It's pretty close to being with a Rock Star. LOL
Lastly, we NEED YOUR continued donations! Please keep in mind that all proceeds go to fund the fight & we can not do this without your donations. If you would like to make a donation, please donate to our PayPal Account at the faron@savethetexasdunebuggy.com account.

[Windryder06]

If you are a Dune Buggy owner, Rail Buggy owner, VW enthusiast or a custom car enthusiast, Please donate to the cause. If the Texas DMV is successful in keeping Dune Buggies off the street they will start looking for other "modified" vehicles to remove from the road. If Texas wins, other states could and more than likely will follow suite. Please donate $1, $5 or $10, whatever you can donate to keep all of our cars on the streets. We are rounding the corner to the home stretch and can see the finish line. No donation s too small. Please donate to our PayPal Account at faron@savethetexasdunebuggy.com.

[Ken]

Thanks for the reminder Windryder06.
This issue affects all of us that have a buggy and all those that would like to one day.

[Windryder06]

Ken,
I have built my Buggy after you and I spoke 4 years ago. Some of the design that I put into my buggy is from your buggy, not that they look anything like each other, but I liked the stance and simplicity. I have been in this fight with the DMV since after Faron got the word out. I have been a big supporter both financially and by voice. I want nothing more than to have a larger membership in the Texas Manx Club and we need everyone's support. Please help get the word out for donations so we can grow the Texas Manx Club.

Chris

[Ken]

Thank you Chris, you just made my day. I hope on day soon, we can cruise together through the Texas Hill Country.

[Windryder06]

Ken, I would like that as well but without the support of our fellow Texas buggy enthusiasts we may not have a chance. I would urge you to circle the wagons with the Texas Manx Club to be a voice in Austin when it is needed. We have the best Lobbyist working for us and we will win this battle. Many of the Texas Manx Club members are legally registered and the state has said they will not revoke registration, so you will not be effected, as long as you do not attempt to sell you buggies. I and many others, on the other hand, are out many thousands of dollars if this doesn't pass there are many of us that will out THOUSANDS of $$. You all have been a part of the Manx family and I wish that TMC was more involve in the cause. This is Texas and we should be sticking together. The TMC's support is critical to the success of all of our future and the more voices that are heard the better our chances are.

Thank you Ken, I appreciate your leadership and look forward to seeing you sometime in the near future.

[Faron]

We just got some GREAT NEWS!!! Rep Ed Thompson who has agreed to Sponsor our bill to the House was just named as a Texas State House Transportation Committee Member! This is the committee where our bill is to be referred for discussion. That's a win!

[Faron]

It has been a pretty active day for us at the Texas State Capitol, as we have a little more news regarding Save the Texas Dune Buggy, Sandrail & Kitcar. We have confirmation as to who it is that is trying to rid Texas roads from Dune Buggies, Sandrails & Kitcars. The lobbyist for TADA (Texas Automobile Dealers Association) spoke with Ron (our lobbyist) at the Capitol & told him TADA is opposing our bill. Even though the bill has not been filed & they have not had the opportunity to read a word of it.
"The Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) is the statewide trade association representing over 1,300 franchised automobile dealerships in nearly 300 communities throughout the state of Texas.TADA advocates on behalf of the dealers at the Texas Legislature, Congress, and all regulatory agencies.”
For those of you who do not know General Counsel for TADA has been involved with this issue from the start, yet they have been VERY Closed lipped at EVERY MEETING!
When discussions on the safety of our cars was brought up, and we asked how a Dune Buggy, Sandrail or Kitcar was less Safe then a Motorcycle. Tada had nothing to say.
When we asked why the TxDMV felt that a Assembled Vehicle was less safe than that of a Motorcycle, Hot Rod, Rat Rod, etc., and the TxDMV responded with "Those vehicles are in a different catagory". TADA had nothing to say.
When we asked the TxDMV for data to PROVE that our Vehicles were unsafe. TADA had nothing to say.
When we showed the TxDMV that NHTSA had written a letter talking about how an Assembled Vehicle was not governed by the Federal Government, & that it was up to the individual State to regulate them. TADA had nothing to say.
When we showed Graphics of how other categories of vehicles modified their chassis in much the same way as a person did for an Original Dune Buggy, and the TxDMV only said that those vehicles were in a different category. TADA had nothing to say.
When Jeremiah Kuntz, the Director of the Vehicle Titles & Registration Division for the TxDMV directly asked TADA General Counsel what they had to say about the 3 Working Group Meetings that were set up by the TxDMV Board of Directors. TADA had nothing to say.
Of all the time and money that has been spent thus far during both Working Group Meetings as well as TxDMV Board Meetings that TADA has been DIRECTLY INVOLVED in. TADA has had nothing to say.
Fast forward to today when their lobbyist told ours, that TADA will be opposing our bill BEFORE they have even had a chance to read it. Stating that they are doing so because they heard they were unsafe automobiles. This is 100% disgusting, Friends!
Folks, we now have absolute confirmation who our enemy is! At the right time we will need EVERYONE to call their legislator and give them the facts. They need to hear from US the Builders & Owners what the facts are in regards to our vehicles, and NOT the distorted arguments that TADA will give.
The FIGHT is on, & that is all we have for now!

[Heathwerner]

First I would like to thank Faron for what he is doing to " Save the Texas Dune Buggy"

I agree when TADA does not speak up it is because they do not want to give a reason due to we will have a legitimate answer. Their reason can not be because of safety because there are no statistics on accidents and fatalities, that I am aware of, on Dune Buggies, Sandrails or kit cars. Without statistics it just becomes a personal opinion. Not only that, who nominated TADA " The Safety Committee" for Texas vehicles.

With this being said you have to ask yourself, then why? Well any time you have to ask why, it comes down to money. A Chairman with TADA boast that in 2017 the dealers in Texas had light sales of 1.6 million dollars, dealerships represent 6.5 billion dollars investment in Texas land, dealerships employ more than 100,000 and collect 4 billion dollars annually in taxes. This is not enough for them they need to better their numbers any way they can even trying to take down vehicle hobbyist because we are not contributing to these numbers. This is the same reasons Tesla is not allowed to sell their cars in Texas, TADA wants their piece of the pie. TADA claims they are here to protect the dealers and consumers but I don't see how taking a handful of individually owned assembled vehicles off the road benefits anyone.

TADA, WE ARE NOT MANUFACTURERS OR DEALERS, WE DO NOT NEED YOU REPRESENTING US!!!! THERE IS NO MONEY IN IT FOR YOU!!!!

P.S. - These are my personal opinions and in no way, shape or form am I speaking on behalf of " The Texas Manx Club"

[Faron]

I continue to read about how people do not understand why TADA (Texas Automobile Dealer Association) would want to oppose Dune Buggies, Sandrails & some Kitcars being on the road. So let me offer MY OPINION on the subject.
During the TxDMV Board Meetings as well as throughout the 3 "Working" Group Meetings, Jeremiah Kuntz (Director of the TxDMV Title/Registration Division) continued to say. "We do not want this to become another Tesla issue". I think that TADA wants to make sure that because of our cars being able to get Title/Registered, small volume manufacturers MIGHT be able to find a way to get an in with us as an example. Possible but not probable. TADAs main objective is to protect the Dealers that are in their "Boys Club" so they want to make sure that ANY Manufacture that is selling a vehicle to be sold in Texas must have a franchised dealer.
Again, TADAs main objective is to protect the interests of the members of their Association. I think another angle is that TADA would like to eliminate the hobbyist or collector car market. In my opinion A.R. 217.3 could be them dipping their toes in the water to see just how feasible/difficult it would be to do so. They start with our VERY small percentage of the Titled/Registered vehicles on the road, and if they are able to shut us down, they will work their way up. They will work their way up, using the last "unsafe" group of vehicles they defeated as the example for the next. If they lose with us, its not that big of a deal to them, they will have spent minimal effort as well as money trying & they will have gained a substantial amount of knowledge.
You see to TADA, every missed Sale is money lost, no matter how small the amount. If they are able to crush the Hobbyist and Collector car market, they will have gained a new opportunity for a sale from one of the TADA Members.
Please remember this is just my opinion and only part of what I believe. Also remember I was a fairly successful car salesman here in Texas (Oldsmobile, Buick, BMW/MINI, Mercedes Benz & Peterbilt over a 20-year span) so I have in fact listened to much of the rhetoric that Dealers put out there. I have even read more than one of the publications that TADA puts out. All this being said… I still feel that if we all bust our collective butt, we will in fact see our Assembled Vehicles Legally Titled/Registered here in Texas!
I hope this will help people understand why TADA cares what Hobbyists do, and more than that helps shut the naysayers down! I have heard from many that there is NO WAY TADA would care what we are doing. THEY DO & they are going to TRY an oppose our bill without any evidence to back up their claim that it is done in the name of SAFETY. Please remember that there is NO WAY that they could of read our bill & there Lobbyist has already stepped on his soapbox to say that TADA will Oppose our bill.

[Ken]

I wonder how TADA's voice gets heard? I mean, their lobbyist tells you "TADA will Oppose our bill", but how does that affect the Bills vote or the Bill getting to vote? I'm really ignorant to this civilized governing stuff.

[Faron]

Great question!
It works in the very same way that our Lobbyist Ron works. Their Lobbyist talks to Legislators and their staff in order to convince them NOT to vote for our bill to pass. Ron has been talking to Legislators for months in favor of our bill, so they very well could, in fact, be behind the 8 Ball so they say. I am also going to present this question to Ron, to get his take on your question. I will return when I have an answer.
Again, Thanks for asking.

[Ken]

Is it a coincidence that TxDMV changed the titling manual stating dune buggys are not legal for roadway and that TADA starting reporting their "concerns" with Tesla all started in 2014? Is it possible they are so close to TxDMV that they are making these changes? I'm speculating based on the TADA's website "Newsroom" page and looking at their linked articles that are all negative for Telsa and the articles are dated starting 2014. Overthinking?

[Faron]

I wonder how TADA's voice gets heard? I mean, their lobbyist tells you "TADA will Oppose our bill", but how does that affect the Bills vote or the Bill getting to vote? I'm really ignorant to this civilized governing stuff.

Great question!
It works in the very same way that our Lobbyist Ron works. Their Lobbyist talks to Legislators and their staff in order to convince them NOT to vote for our bill to pass. Ron has been talking to Legislators for months in favor of our bill, so they very well could, in fact, be behind the 8 Ball so they say. I am also going to present this question to Ron, to get his take on your question. I will return when I have an answer.
Again, Thanks for asking.

I heard back from Ron & he said that I answered correctly and that he didn't have anything to add.

Is it a coincidence that TxDMV changed the titling manual stating dune buggies are not legal for roadway and that TADA starting reporting their "concerns" with Tesla all started in 2014? Is it possible they are so close to TxDMV that they are making these changes? I'm speculating based on the TADA's website "Newsroom" page and looking at their linked articles that are all negative for Telsa and the articles are dated starting 2014. Overthinking?

No, I don't think there is any coincidence in the timing between Tesla and our issue where it concerns TADA. I think I am correct when I say, you do not follow Facebook. But the "Tesla Issue" is brought up a lot. TADA did stop, Tesla from selling their cars in Texas. What they didn't do is stop Tesla from selling their vehicles OUT of state, and then having them LEGALLY Title/Registered in Texas. If you go to a Tesla "Service Center" in Texas they also have a "Learning Center" inside. There are greeters to tell you all about Tesla, but a Tesla cannot be sold there & they will not talk directly about price. Should you choose to own one, you order it online, do all the paperwork online, & the vehicle is delivered to your scheduled location other than the "Service Center". Tesla did not find a loophole, what they are doing is something that has been done for years. I did the very same thing for people who didn't want to pay the premiums that California Dealerships were charging. So they called me and ordered a MINI Cooper, waited for it to come in and then either paid to have it shipped to them or flew in to pick it up. We took care of all the paperwork via a Titling Company & we were doing this between 2003 - 2007 here in Texas. The new owners pay Califonia Tax, Title, & Licensing plus a paperwork charge of $50 or $60 for the Titling company & it all 100% legal