Committee hears multiple supporters seeking law to protect registration of imported "kei" vehicles

Representative (sponsor) presented H.3698, a bill that would codify registration rules for imported vehicles 25 years or older and require the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to recognize vehicles imported in compliance with federal standards.

Representative (sponsor) said the Registry abruptly banned many kei vehicles in July 2024 and later reversed the ban, and that codifying the federal compliance standard (49 CFR part 591 was cited during testimony) would prevent similar sudden changes. Raymond Moy, a Quincy resident and owner of multiple imported Japanese-market cars, described difficulties he and other hobbyists faced after the RMV's policy change and urged lawmakers to pass the bill so the legislature rather than the Registry sets the rule.

Other witnesses supporting the bills included Mike Binneman of Framingham, who described kei trucks and vans as fuel-efficient, useful vehicles and said bans in other states had been reversed; William Ellis of the Massachusetts Association of Automobile Clubs testified the RMV's ad hoc approach had created registration conflicts for vehicles that predate modern VIN formats. Sponsor Representative Howard said H.3698 would add to Chapter 90 a definition protecting vehicles 25 years or older that were imported in compliance with federal law.

Committee members asked about how many states prohibit kei vehicles and about the bills' drafting details; Representative Ramos asked whether the proposal would include advertising transparency for other bills discussed that day. Witnesses and members noted that multiple similar bills had been filed and that hobbyists and small businesses were affected by uncertain RMV policy. No committee vote was taken.