Latest news with #AnthonyBroadman
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Outlawed Tiny Japanese Vehicles: Enthusiasts Push for Legal Registration
Kei vehicles are a class of small Japanese-market cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans that conform to strict dimension and engine size regulations. Buyers in Japan are incentivized with lower taxes and insurance rates on the tiny transporters. Kei (pronounced 'k') vehicles have never been sold new in the U.S., but under federal rules, they can be legally imported as long as they're 25 years of age. However, not every state allows them to be registered for road use. Oregon has long prohibited kei vehicles from being street legal, but a new bill may change that. An Oregon senate bill has been drafted, and it's hot on the heels of Texas and Colorado reversing their bans on kei cars. These states, plus Massachusetts and Michigan, have all reversed course on kei vehicles in the last 8 months. Kei vehicles are legal in neighboring Washington state and California, though it is difficult to conform to California's strict emissions standards. Oregon may be the next state to have these vehicles on the streets if legislators and kei vehicle enthusiasts have anything to say about it. Senate Bill 1213 was recently introduced by State Senator Anthony Broadman (D) and has bipartisan support, including from sponsors Senator David Brock Smith (R), Representative Emily McIntire (R), and Representative Hai Pham (D). 'Small businesses, farmers, and Oregonians across our state are asking for practical, cost-effective transportation options. Kei trucks are nimble, fuel-efficient, and ideal for navigating rural roads, job sites, and tight urban corridors. This legislation simply makes it legal to use a tool that's already proving useful across the Pacific Northwest,' said Senator Broadman. The bill gives specifics as to what a 'kei truck' is. This includes the following: Being manufactured in Japan or South Korea Has an engine that has a piston or rotor displacement of 660 cubic centimeters (Note: This is the maximum displacement a kei car is allowed in Japan) Is 11 feet or less in length Is 4.9 feet or less in width Is 6.6 feet or less in height Has a model year that predates the current year by 25 years or more There is no mention of any other kei body style, like cars, SUVs, or vans — just trucks. In Japan, all vehicle styles must conform to these specifications. Enthusiasts are pushing for the language of the bill to be changed to cover all kei vehicles, and not just those with truck beds. There is, however, language appearing to call for limiting the vehicles to highways with 65 mph speed limits and under in Oregon. The bill reads, 'A person commits the offense of unlawfully operating a Kei truck on a highway if the person operates a Kei truck on a highway that has a speed limit or posted speed that is greater than 65 miles per hour.' It goes on to say that if someone is caught on a highway with a speed limit of more than 65 mph, it's a Class-B traffic violation and punishable by a maximum fine of up to $1,000. Additionally, SB 1213 states that kei vehicles will be $63 to register. All kei vehicles have to conform to the U.S.'s 25-year import rule. Basically, any vehicle — including these — must be at least 25 years old to import if it was never subjected to federal U.S. safety and emissions testing. Vehicle registration, however, is a state issue — as we found out with Maine and the Mitsubishi Delica. Plus, all states have their own rules as to what can and cannot be registered. Oregon has been a holdout on street-legal kei vehicle registration, but this may change if SB 1213 passes both the Senate and House of Representatives and is signed by the Governor. The story about how this all started to come together in Oregon is interesting, if not serendipitous. In May 2025, Seattle's public radio station, KUOW, did a story on kei truck culture in Seattle. In fact, I was interviewed for this story; the reporter thought I lived in Washington and owned a kei truck. However, I informed them I was in Oregon and couldn't register one even if I wanted to (which I do). Interested in this, I was cast as an Oregonian who cannot register a kei vehicle. This story was also covered on Oregon Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio. Several days after the KUOW was released, I was made aware of JDM Oregon Advocates, a burgeoning organization hoping to get kei vehicles legally registered in the Beaver State. The group's website has a well-written explanation of why keis should be made road legal, called 'A Case for Consistent Kei Truck Policy in Oregon.' They also include a way for people to contact their representatives to advocate for their legalization. The website and its 'Case for Keis' explanation were done by fellow Oregonian, Aaron Williamson. He also set up the organization's Facebook page and group. I had a few conversations with Aaron and learned about his desire to have a kei to help with his community garden plot. Shortly after meeting Williamson, I met Texas resident David McChristian. He's the founder and president of the nonprofit Lone Star Kei. He was instrumental in getting Texas to reverse its ban on kei vehicles. He provided Williamson and others with the blueprint that Texas and other states used to get kei vehicles road legal. McChristian was eager to share what Texans had done to get that state's kei ban overturned. 'Since April of 2024, I've been trying to rally other states to fight back on the arbitrary kei bans across the country,' says McChristian. 'People from Massachusetts, Michigan, Georgia, and Colorado (among many others) reached out to me for assistance in reversing their bans.' McChristian helped organize advocacy groups and taught them about how and what they accomplished in Texas's kei ban reversal. He points to Massachusetts and Colorado, which had the same success following the 'Texas Blueprint,' as he called it. 'We will keep working until every state in the U.S. has allowed Kei vehicles on public roads,' stated McChristian. Within about 2 weeks of the public radio stories and not long after JDM Oregon Advocates' debut, news broke of SB 1213 being drafted. The timing seemed inexplicitly coincidental, perhaps serendipitous. The next day, I got an email from John Heylin of Bend, Ore. He owns Unofficial Logging Co., an axe-throwing bar, and is politically active there. Heylin was glad to hear about JDM Oregon Advocates, and has been lobbying for kei trucks for years. He also said he was one of the reasons Senator Broadman's bill was drafted. 'I first brought it up about 3 years ago when I started getting politically active in Central Oregon,' says Heylin. 'I brought [kei cars] up to [Senator Broadman] when he was a City Councilor in Bend.' Heylin states he brings up the topic to anyone who'll listen. He says Senator Broadman reached out to him about wording for a bill and kept highlighting Colorado and other states that recently passed pro-kei vehicle legislation. 'My drive to legalize Kei Trucks comes from a desire to provide cheaper options to working-class Oregonians,' Heylin says. 'Right now, the cheapest new truck in the USA is around $30,000, and that's just not attainable for some people.' SB 1213 has been introduced, and there is discussion as to when it'll be presented. The bill would also have to make it through the Oregon house before it would be sent to Governor Tina Kotek's desk. However, the Oregon legislature adjourns June 29, so it's unlikely we'd see it passing in 2025. However, the groundwork has been laid, and other state representatives have expressed interest in supporting the bill. Now we'll see if and when it'll be voted on, and whether Oregon will become the next state to let people register kei vehicles for use on highways and byways, or at least those 65 mph and under. Registration Revoked: Delica Vans No Longer Road Legal
Car and Driver
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Oregon Could Be the Next State in America to Legalize Kei Trucks
Oregon could be the next state to allow imported kei trucks on its roads. Kei trucks are tiny but tough and useful and thrifty for small businesses. The law under consideration won't let the trucks on the highways, just local roads. All over Japan, in what could be a scene from a Pixar movie, happy-looking little trucks scurry through the streets to and from businesses and work sites. It's how the country gets lots of its jobs done, with tiny two-seater pickups that are perfect for everything from landscaping to meal delivery. Would this kind of transport solution work here? Oregon legislators certainly seem to think so. Bill 1213 was introduced this Wednesday by state Senator Anthony Broadman, and if passed, it will allow for kei trucks to be legally driven on Oregon roads (with some restrictions). Currently, Oregon is one of the states that doesn't allow kei trucks on public roads. You can import one, but you can't register it as a road vehicle. Mazda What's a kei truck? Properly, it's a kei-jidōsha—a Japanese vehicle classification that's restricted based on footprint and displacement. The rules extend back to 1949 and, while there have been a few adjustments over the years, have created a whole ecosystem of cheery little commuters and work trucks, and even a few tiny sports cars such as the Autozam AZ-1 or the Honda S660. To qualify as a kei, something like a Honda Acty truck can't be more than 11 feet long, 6.6 feet tall, and 4.9 feet wide. Displacement is restricted to 660 ccs and power to 63 hp. Oregon's new bill maintains those restrictions, and adds that the truck must be from either Japan or South Korea and comply with federal import law (i.e. be 25 years or older). If that sounds too small to be useful, it's not. Plenty of small businesses in the United States and Canada already use kei trucks for deliveries and other work. The currently just-importable third-generation Honda Acty has a bed that's just under six feet, four inches in length and can carry a payload of 440 pounds. That's just one-third of what a Ford Maverick can haul, but it's enough for many tasks. Brendan McAleer | Car and Driver Besides, kei trucks are plenty of fun to drive and also offer a rolling billboard effect as they're so eye-catching. Texas and Colorado have both legalized the import of kei trucks, and both states have plenty of fans of the breed. It's a niche market, but a healthy one. One caveat in Oregon's approach concerns safety. Obviously, a kei truck is built for Japan's narrow roads, which tend to have relatively low speed limits. If passed, Bill 1213 won't allow keis to be driven on Oregon highways. You'll have to take the back roads. But if you're a shop in Portland that sells vintage clothing illustrated with pictures of birds, then good news, your future delivery van is potentially on the way. Kei-jidōsha vehicles are less common in Japan these days, as some of the laws changed in 2014, but there are plenty of used tiny trucks looking for new homes on this side of the Pacific. Get ready to ship one over, and put a bird on it. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
Motor 1
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Another State Could Legalize Japanese Mini Trucks
A bipartisan bill introduced in Oregon this week would legalize the registering of imported Kei trucks . If passed, the state would become the latest to take direct action to protect these vehicles when they comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Senate Bill 1213 adds a new section to the state's vehicle code that explicitly defines what Oregon will recognize as a "Kei truck." It must be a vehicle manufactured in Japan or South Korea with an engine displacement of 660 cubic centimeters. It can't be more than 11 feet long, 4.9 feet wide, or 6.6 feet tall, and it must be 25 years old or older. It'll cost $63 to register a Kei truck in Oregon, which is the same fee levied on other low-speed vehicles, medium-speed EVs, and utility trailers. The bill, if it passes, will also make it a Class B violation to drive Kei trucks on the highway, punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000. "Small businesses, farmers, and Oregonians across our state are asking for practical, cost-effective transportation options," said Oregon Sen. Anthony Broadman, who introduced the bill to the state's Senate. "This legislation simply makes it legal to use a tool that's already proving useful across the Pacific Northwest." You can track the bill's progress through the Oregon legislature. The bill has been referred to the state's Committee on Transportation, which will review the bill and hold public hearings before it can return to the legislature for possible passage. Kei Truck Activists Are Winning: Colorado Officially Passes Law Legalizing Kei Trucks Another State Just Passed a Law to Protect Japanese Mini Trucks Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Oregon Sen. Anthony Broadman Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oregon Senate passes bump stock ban, allows expansion of gun-free zones
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A gun safety bill is making its way through the Oregon legislature, which would ban bump stocks and allow local governments to decide whether to allow firearms in public meeting spaces. The Oregon Senate passed — the Community Safety Firearms Act — on Thursday, which would create new crimes for possessing bump stocks — or devices that turn semi-automatic guns fully automatic. Under the bill, local governments would also have the authority to limit concealed handgun license holders from bringing firearms in public buildings where official meetings are held, such as city halls. 'Something was not right': Oregon Coast safari park received complaints for nearly a decade Following the bill's passage, Oregon Senate Democrats said the legislation marks 'action for community safety.' 'Being elected to serve means guarding the people who put their trust in us: protecting their safety, defending their rights, and leading with humility and common sense,' said Senator Anthony Broadman (D –Bend). 'As a father, a hunter, a responsible gun owner, and an Oregon Senator, I know Senate Bill 243 honors that responsibility.' 'Rapid-fire activators are simply tools of mass destruction and do not belong in our communities,' added Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D –Eugene & Springfield), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and chief sponsor of the bill. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'It's time to call these devices what they are. They give legal firearms the same dangerous abilities as machine guns,' said Senator Lisa Reynolds (D –Portland). 'If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a machine gun.' The bill passed the Senate in a 17-12 vote along party lines, with the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus calling the legislation 'deeply flawed.' 'The people who follow the law deserve policies that respect them. The people who break the law deserve consequences,' said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). 'Senate Bill 243 targets responsible Oregonians, not criminals. That's a mistake we've made before. We should learn from it, not double down on it.' Candlelight vigil marks 15th anniversary of Kyron Horman's disappearance According to the Senate Republican Caucus, 'there is no credible evidence' that banning bump stocks will reduce gun violence. 'This bill does not address the core issues driving gun violence in our communities,' said Senator Bruce Starr (R-Dundee). 'It doesn't target criminals. It doesn't invest in mental health or illegal gun trafficking enforcement. Instead, it creates new penalties for responsible gun owners who already follow the law, store their firearms safely, and have undergone background checks.' The Republican caucus noted they offered their own proposals in a minority report, which was rejected by Democrats. Kohr Explores: Salmon fishing season arrives in Oregon The proposals from Republicans included repealing , a bill from 2021 that allows school districts and local governments to decide whether to allow concealed handgun license holders to bring firearms into public buildings. Other proposals from the Republican caucus included preventing people who have been charged with drug-related misdemeanors from owning guns along with another provision requiring participants in deflection programs to transfer their firearms to a law enforcement agency, a gun dealer or a third party until their deflection program is completed. After passing the Senate on Thursday, the bill moves to the Oregon House of Representatives, where the bill will have its first reading on June 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We need these measures': Latest gun safety bill debated in Oregon Senate
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multiple debates took place at an Oregon State Senate committee Monday as the legislature heard what people have to say on a bill that would toughen up gun laws in Oregon. Senate Bill 234 is moving through the United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. If passed, it would give local governments the authority to decide rules surrounding firearms in public buildings like city halls. 'Overall, your viewers should know that SB 243, the Community Safety Firearms Act, will put safety first for Oregonians, prohibiting devices like 'bump stocks' and letting local governments decide whether to allow guns in city halls and official meeting locations,' Senator Anthony Broadman (D – Bend). 'What truly stopped me from becoming a true victim? My firearm. My ability to carry not only at home where I work, but out in public as well. To say that restricting our right to carry in a public place is crazy,' added Brian McGregor, who spoke out against the bill. The bill also bans devices such as bump stocks that would make a semi-automatic rifle shoot more rapidly. On Monday, the public spoke to a senate committee, who voiced mixed opinions. 'We need these measures because kids are wracked with worry that a mass shooting will happen at school, and gun deaths in Oregon have increased 140% over the past decade. Rapid-fire devices that turn firearms into automatic weapons don't belong in our community. A healthy democracy allows people to visit their local leaders and attend government meetings without a threat of gun violence. More than anything, Oregonians want leaders to work together for prevention of gun deaths and injuries,' said Broadman. 'States with bans on bump stocks have a significantly reduced chance of those devices being used in shootings, leading to significantly fewer deaths and injuries,' said Steve Schneider, the firearm suicide prevention program director for Alliance For Safe Oregon. The bill originally would require gun buyers to wait 72 hours between when a dealer requests a criminal background check from the Oregon state police, but an amendment removes this section of the bill. 'That would prevent any gun shows in Oregon from happening,' said Rick, who spoke out against the bill. Another segment that was taken out requires a buyer to be 21 or older to purchase semi-automatics. 'The Dash 9 amendment removes the 72-hour waiting period. The minimum age provision was already proposed to be removed by an amendment,' said Broadman. The Senate committee will vote on the bill Wednesday. 'The committee will determine next steps, potentially voting to have the bill as amended going to the Senate floor,' said Broadman. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
