Federal Legislation
As the industry’s national association, TRAA takes its responsibility to represent the interests of towers on Capitol Hill seriously. TRAA employs a full-time federal lobbying firm in D.C. called Tremont Strategies Group (TSG). They’re so good that they’ve been rated one of the country's top performing lobbying firms by Bloomberg Government. With their expert guidance, TRAA raising the profile of the U.S. towing and recovery industry.
Federal legislation is broken down into two types: statues and regulations. They're related as both are intended to set out legally binding rules, but who makes them and how very different. Federal statutes are laws made by the United States Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Statutes do not and cannot set out all the details that describe procedure related to the application and enforcement of the statutes. That is where regulations come in. Regulations are drafted by departments and administrative agencies, and each has its areas of expertise and is charged with drafting regulations in those areas. Click here for information on TRAA's regulatory activities.
Federal legislation is broken down into two types: statues and regulations. They're related as both are intended to set out legally binding rules, but who makes them and how very different. Federal statutes are laws made by the United States Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Statutes do not and cannot set out all the details that describe procedure related to the application and enforcement of the statutes. That is where regulations come in. Regulations are drafted by departments and administrative agencies, and each has its areas of expertise and is charged with drafting regulations in those areas. Click here for information on TRAA's regulatory activities.
We advocate on behalf of the industry’s national interests both supporting positive legislation and opposing negative legislation. Through our annual Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day in D.C. we have developed strong relationships and champions for key industry issues especially safety. We regularly communicate with the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and Members of Congress on both the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction on issues that impact the industry.
A partial list of the federal level statues TRAA has advocated on, both for and against, includes:
A partial list of the federal level statues TRAA has advocated on, both for and against, includes:
- Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act (S.2671)
- To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a safety data collection program for certain 6-axle vehicles, and for other purposes. (H.R.3372)
- National Move Over Law Resolution (H.Res.152)
- National Move Over Law Resolution (H.Res.1463) - PASSED on 11/15/2022
- National Move Over Law Day Resolution in Senate (S.Res. 734), Senator's Press Release Senator's Thank You Letter to TRAA
- National Move Over Law Day Resolution in House (H.Res.1052) - converted to H.Res.1463
- Amending Federal Weights & Measures Regulations (23 U.S.C. 127)
- Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R.3684)- PASSED 11/15/2021
- Build Back Better Act (H.R.5376)- PASSED 8/16/2022
- Non-Consent Towing Rate Regulation (i.e. Senators Van Hollen and Kaine Amendment, wasn't accepted by Committee)- DEFEATED
- Protecting Roadside First Responders Act (S.1386)- Provisions Passed in H.R.3684
- DRIVE Safe Act (S.659)- Provisions Passed in H.R.3684
- INSURANCE Act of 2021 (H.R.2687)- DEFEATED
- Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
- 2020 INVEST in America Act (H.R.2210)- Expired
- Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day (H.Res.373)- Expired
- INSURANCE Act of 2019 (HR.3781)- DEFEATED
- Stop Underrides Act (S. 665/H.R.1511)- DEFEATED
- Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019 (S. 2033)- DEFEATED
- Safe Roads Act (H.R.3773)- DEFEATED
Want to keep up to date on TRAA's activities regarding federal legislation? Our members get the most in depth and up to date information via email. The only way to get on our distribution list is to join, so become a member today!
Want to support TRAA's efforts to protect the industry's interests on a federal level? We accept donations of any amount to the Lobbyist Support Fund.
Want to support TRAA's efforts to protect the industry's interests on a federal level? We accept donations of any amount to the Lobbyist Support Fund.
