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
 
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:
 
  1. Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act (S.2671)
  2. 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)
  3. National Move Over Law Resolution (H.Res.152)
  4. National Move Over Law Resolution (H.Res.1463) - PASSED on 11/15/2022
  5. National Move Over Law Day Resolution in Senate (S.Res. 734), Senator's Press Release Senator's Thank You Letter to TRAA
  6. National Move Over Law Day Resolution in House (H.Res.1052) - converted to H.Res.1463
  7. Amending Federal Weights & Measures Regulations (23 U.S.C. 127)
  8. Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy
  9. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R.3684)- PASSED 11/15/2021
  10. Build Back Better Act (H.R.5376)- PASSED 8/16/2022
  11. Non-Consent Towing Rate Regulation (i.e. Senators Van Hollen and Kaine Amendment, wasn't accepted by Committee)- DEFEATED 
  12. Protecting Roadside First Responders Act (S.1386)- Provisions Passed in H.R.3684
  13. DRIVE Safe Act (S.659)- Provisions Passed in H.R.3684
  14. INSURANCE Act of 2021 (H.R.2687)- DEFEATED
  15. Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
  16. 2020 INVEST in America Act (H.R.2210)- Expired
  17. Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day (H.Res.373)- Expired
  18. INSURANCE Act of 2019 (HR.3781)- DEFEATED
  19. Stop Underrides Act (S. 665/H.R.1511)- DEFEATED
  20. Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019 (S. 2033)- DEFEATED
  21. 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.


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!