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Legislative Issues
For decades, TMTA has been a powerful voice for the trucking industry representing our members and our industry in Austin and in Washington, D.C.
Lobbying successes are seen on a regular basis as TMTA continually keeps your best interest at the forefront and protects your bottom-line.
With the conclusion of the 81st Legislative Session, we are meticulously rebuilding our lobbying efforts to ensure continued productive legislative success.
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+ TruckPAC
TruckPAC is the political action committee of the Texas Motor Transportation Association. With the support of TMTA members, the association is able to maintain a powerful voice in the Texas Legislature.
Our legislative team diligently keeps the trucking industry’s best interest at the forefront. That is why it is imperative that TMTA has the resources it needs to support candidates that, in turn, understand and support the association.
The TruckPAC Committee is a vital network of TMTA supporters who donate their time and dollars to support the association so it can succeed at every level of government. The donations are used to support our advocacy efforts through TruckPAC and the Legislative Victory Fund. Your commitment to TMTA is essential to our success.
Gold Membership: $5,000
Description
+ Annual contribution* of at least $1,000 to TruckPAC and commit to raise $4,000 for TruckPAC or the Legislative Victory Fund from other TMTA supporters
+ Participate in guiding and developing the strategic direction of the TruckPAC Committee
+ Engage local elected officials and regulatory agency leaders to support TMTA and to address industry issues
+ Participate in PAC Committee meetings and/or conference calls
Benefits
+ Participate in strategic PAC planning discussions
+ Special article in the Steering Wheel magazine
+ Receive a discounted or complimentary rate to attend PAC events open to all TMTA members
+ Invitation to attend exclusive industry events throughout the year
+ Recognition in TRUCKFacts, the Steering Wheel magazine, and on the TMTA Web site
+ Recognition at Annual Conference
+ Annual contribution* of at least $1,000 to TruckPAC and commit to raise $4,000 for TruckPAC or the Legislative Victory Fund from other TMTA supporters
+ Participate in guiding and developing the strategic direction of the TruckPAC Committee
+ Engage local elected officials and regulatory agency leaders to support TMTA and to address industry issues
+ Participate in PAC Committee meetings and/or conference calls
Benefits
+ Participate in strategic PAC planning discussions
+ Special article in the Steering Wheel magazine
+ Receive a discounted or complimentary rate to attend PAC events open to all TMTA members
+ Invitation to attend exclusive industry events throughout the year
+ Recognition in TRUCKFacts, the Steering Wheel magazine, and on the TMTA Web site
+ Recognition at Annual Conference
Silver Membership: $2,000
Description
+ Annual contribution* of at least $1,000 to Truck PAC and $1,000 to Legislative Victory Fund
+ Engage local elected officials and regulatory agency leaders to support TMTA and to address industry issues
+ Participate in PAC Committee meetings and/or conference calls
Benefits
+ Receive a discounted rate to attend PAC events open to all TMTA members
+ Invitation to attend exclusive industry events throughout the year
+ Recognition in TRUCKFacts, the Steering Wheel magazine, the TMTA Web site
+ Recognition at Annual Conference
+ Annual contribution* of at least $1,000 to Truck PAC and $1,000 to Legislative Victory Fund
+ Engage local elected officials and regulatory agency leaders to support TMTA and to address industry issues
+ Participate in PAC Committee meetings and/or conference calls
Benefits
+ Receive a discounted rate to attend PAC events open to all TMTA members
+ Invitation to attend exclusive industry events throughout the year
+ Recognition in TRUCKFacts, the Steering Wheel magazine, the TMTA Web site
+ Recognition at Annual Conference
Bronze Membership: $1,000
Description
+ Annual contribution* of at least $500 to TruckPAC and $500 to Legislative Victory Fund
+ Engage local elected officials and regulatory agency leaders to support TMTA and to address industry issues
+ Participate in PAC Committee meetings and/or conference calls
Benefits
+ Invitation to attend exclusive industry events throughout the year
+ Recognition in TRUCKFacts, the Steering Wheel magazine, the TMTA Web site
+ Recognition at Annual Conference
+ Annual contribution* of at least $500 to TruckPAC and $500 to Legislative Victory Fund
+ Engage local elected officials and regulatory agency leaders to support TMTA and to address industry issues
+ Participate in PAC Committee meetings and/or conference calls
Benefits
+ Invitation to attend exclusive industry events throughout the year
+ Recognition in TRUCKFacts, the Steering Wheel magazine, the TMTA Web site
+ Recognition at Annual Conference
*Fiscal year for annual contribution is October 1 – September 30. By state law, contributions to Truck PAC cannot be made from corporate funds. All corporate payments will be applied to the Legislative Victory Fund. TMTA is required by law to obtain employer and occupation information for all PAC contributions.
Legislative Victory Fund
Historically, the Legislative Victory Fund has provided critical funding in support of our advocacy efforts, including 2003’s successful campaign to pass meaningful lawsuit reform and key legislative activities that are held every session such as Trucking and Moving Day at the Capitol, and our Call on Washington. Because the Legislative Victory Fund is not used to directly support candidates, corporate funds are allowed. In comparison, TruckPAC is the vehicle we use to make contributions to candidates, which by state law, only allows us to accept personal contributions to this fund.
In order to accomplish our legislative agenda, it is imperative that BOTH funds are supported by TMTA membership.
We hope you will take a moment to review the online donation form and do your part to strengthen both TruckPAC and the Legislative Victory Fund.
In order to accomplish our legislative agenda, it is imperative that BOTH funds are supported by TMTA membership.
We hope you will take a moment to review the online donation form and do your part to strengthen both TruckPAC and the Legislative Victory Fund.
How Can You Support TMTA?
Sponsorships of golf tournaments, underwriting of regional dinners and other such donations all go towards either the PAC or the LVF, dependent upon the source of contribution (personal or corporate).
Fair Share If the Chairman’s Circle is a bigger investment than you are currently able to make to TMTA, please consider supporting the TruckPAC efforts through the “Fair Share” program. Fair Share simply encourages members to donate their fair share of $100 to TruckPAC. Imagine how strong our voice can be if all members donated.
Fair Share If the Chairman’s Circle is a bigger investment than you are currently able to make to TMTA, please consider supporting the TruckPAC efforts through the “Fair Share” program. Fair Share simply encourages members to donate their fair share of $100 to TruckPAC. Imagine how strong our voice can be if all members donated.
For more information about TruckPAC or the Legislative Victory Fund, please contact TMTA at (800) 727-7135.
+ Texas State Capitol
The 81st Legislative Session provided a backdrop for many regulatory and governmental issues that involved the trucking industry. Those issues set the framework for TMTA’s legislative agenda.
Topics ranged from the fuel tax increases to fuel tax rebates and clean air. The Texas Margins Tax was then and still remains a great concern for the association as trucking is a highly capital-intensive industry now hindered by the unintended consequences of the reformed business tax. The industry is not afforded the relief available to many business sectors.
Below is a list of changes to Texas laws as a result of the resent session. These changes directly affect the trucking industry and will become effective September 1, 2009.
Cell Phone Use
Drivers may not use a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle within a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or the wireless communication device is used with a hands-free device.
Idling in Sleeper Berth
A driver will no longer have an exemption to idle while getting mandated rest.
Post Office Box Not Valid as Address
An applicant for a commercial driver’s license may receive delivery of their license at a post office box only if the applicant has provided the DPS with documentation necessary to verify the validity of the physical address where the applicant resides.
State and Employer Notification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Violation
A driver of a commercial driver’s license must notify the State and their employer within seven days of a conviction of any motor vehicle traffic law or ordinance violation.
Life Time CDL Ban
A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for life if the person uses a motor vehicle in an offense that involves the transportation, concealment or harboring of an alien.
+ Download "Legislative Issues Affecting the Trucking Industry" (PDF, 0.3MB)
+ Washington, D.C.
Annually, the association calls on members of Congress to address the Texas trucking industry’s concerns. TMTA’s 2009 “Call on Washington” proved to be a noteworthy success. Below is a list of national issues and resolutions to those issues that TMTA members brought before our elected officials in Washington, D.C.:
The Rising Cost of Diesel Fuel
+ Release oil from the strategic petroleum reserve to increase oil in the market and drive down costs
+ Suspend filling the strategic petroleum reserve to prevent stockpiling oil during record level prices
+ Invest in new refining capacity and expanding domestic crude oil exploration
+ Call for a national diesel fuel standard to simplify the distribution of diesel fuel
+ Suspend filling the strategic petroleum reserve to prevent stockpiling oil during record level prices
+ Invest in new refining capacity and expanding domestic crude oil exploration
+ Call for a national diesel fuel standard to simplify the distribution of diesel fuel
Hours of Service Rules
+ Support the final adoption of the 2005 Hours of Service rule and the interim final rule as a responsible and balanced approach, promoting driver alertness and overall highway safety
Financial Incentives for Idling Reduction Equipment
+ Support legislation that provides a tax credit for 25% of the cost of a qualifying idling reduction device up to $1,000
Veterans’ Act
+ Pass the Veterans Employment and Training Act to allow accelerated benefit payments for truck driver training schools
National Clearinghouse for Positive Drug and Alcohol Results
+ Authorize and fund the development and deployment of a national centralized clearinghouse, like Texas has, with appropriate privacy safeguards for drivers, and strict access controls for authorized users
+ Include positive alcohol test results in the clearinghouse since both drug and alcohol testing are required in DOT’s regulatory program
+ Include positive alcohol test results in the clearinghouse since both drug and alcohol testing are required in DOT’s regulatory program
