[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Perspective: ATD Targets Trio of Issues for Fly-In
ATD Is Focusing on 'Right to Repair' Legislation, Repeal of the FET and an Anti-Theft Bill
Key Takeaways:
- Nearly 100 truck dealer representatives will gather in Washington today and tomorrow for ATD’s annual Legislative Fly-In to lobby Congress, writes ATD Chairman Kevin Holmes.
- Holmes says "right to repair" legislation is unnecessary, the 12% FET raises truck costs and emissions device thefts require federal action.
- ATD plans to oppose expanded repair provisions, seek FET repeal and urge passage of the PART Act.
Nearly 100 representatives of medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers from across the country will gather in Washington for the annual American Truck Dealers Legislative Fly-In June 22-23.
Attendees will meet with lawmakers to advocate for federal policies that support the trucking industry. ATD’s message to Congress is clear: The trucking industry is the backbone of the American economy, and Congress should reject overly broad “right to repair” legislation, repeal the outdated federal excise tax on heavy highway vehicles and pass anti-theft legislation for emissions control devices.
ATD is actively engaged regarding “right to repair” legislation. Advocates of right to repair legislation claim independent repair shops lack access to the necessary parts or data required to make repairs. This is simply not the case; a 2015 memorandum of understanding between major truck manufacturers and aftermarket associations ensures heavy-duty repair shops have the same access as dealerships. At ATD’s urging, the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently approved a significantly scaled-back version of the right to repair legislation that may be added to the highway bill should it be considered by Congress this summer. ATD will oppose efforts to expand the committee-passed provisions.
RELATED: Deere Agrees to Pay $99M to Settle 'Right to Repair' Lawsuit
Another top priority is communicating to legislators why repealing the 12% FET is long overdue. First enacted in 1917 to help fund World War I, the FET routinely adds $22,000 or more to the cost of a new heavy-duty diesel truck and $50,000 to an electric or hydrogen fuel cell truck. This tax acts as a significant barrier to heavy-duty truck sales and delays the purchase of safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient trucks. FET repeal would immediately benefit the environment by replacing older trucks with cleaner and more fuel-efficient trucks, and accelerating fleet turnover would also positively impact highway safety.
Image
Holmes
Another focus for ATD is the passage of the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft, or PART, Act (H.R. 5221/S. 2238), which would give law enforcement the tools to fight the theft of emissions control devices. Emissions control devices, such as diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts, use precious metals to reduce toxic emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, and with the price of metals rising sharply during the pandemic, thefts have skyrocketed and continue to be a problem. Stolen devices are nearly impossible to trace since there are no identification numbers tied to the trucks, which hinders law enforcement efforts. The PART Act establishes a national framework to help law enforcement combat this crime, which includes requiring new trucks to have unique identifying numbers stamped on emissions control devices at the time of assembly.
RELATED: Lawmakers Introduce Catalytic Converter Theft Bill
On behalf of the nearly 4,000 new-truck dealers and the 150,000 people they employ, ATD is coming to Congress with a united voice to call for sensible policies that support the American trucking industry.
Trucks are the backbone of this country, and it’s time to come together to shape our future.
Kevin Holmes is chairman of the ATD board and president and CEO of Shrewsbury, Mass.-based Advantage Truck Group.
