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TRAA MEETS WITH FMCSA LEADERSHIP

Today in D.C., TRAA met with FMCSA's Chief Legal Counsel Brian Stansbury and other senior leaders to discuss the anti-towing comment Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the agency's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking creating 16 CFR Part 464: Unfair or Deceptive Fees Trade Regulation (88 FR 77420).

 

During the 45-minute meeting, the TRAA team, including lobbyist and legal representatives, reviewed the many policy and legal issues with the content of FMCSA's letter and their request that the FTC include the nation's towing industry in their "Junk Fees" Rule. After much educating and reminding them of roadside safety policy the administration already has in place, we were able to discuss alternative mechanisms for addressing FMCSA's concerns regarding "predatory' towing practices. One option is to create a towing taskforce within FMCSA in which towers would have a seat at the table to review bills and discuss potential policy.

 

We expect to hear from FMCSA shortly on potential next steps. In the meantime, TRAA members will be discussing this critical issue with 100+ Members of Congress and their staffers next week during TRAA's annual Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day.

 

A big "thank you" to all three representatives for TRAA at today's meeting: Bill Johnson, TRAA's Legislative Chair, Liesl Sheehan, Partner at Tremont Strategist Group, and Katherine Funk, attorney with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC.

 

In closing, this assault on our industry is being responded to by the TRAA. Now is the time for all to get involved with TRAA and your state association. The trucking associations and insurance industry are powerful adversaries. As the adage goes, divide and conquer. United we will prevail!

 

Want to support TRAA as we defend the industry? If so, donations to our Lobbyist Support Fund are greatly appreciated.

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Who We Are

TRAA is the national association representing the U.S. towing and recovery industry. We act as the "voice of America's towing industry" by offering representation, education, and leadership at the federal level. Much of our focus is on representing the interests of the towing and recovery industry on Capitol Hill including promoting positive legislation and opposing potentially negative legislation. TRAA is the industry's watchdog on Capitol Hill!