Legal Action Fund
Over the past year, TRALA’s legislative successes have again saved the vehicle renting and leasing industry millions of dollars in potential legal liability, taxes, fees and regulatory compliance costs. These victories however would not be possible without your continued support of TRALA’s Legal Action Fund.
Despite TRALA’s enormous accomplishment in enacting federal legislation that repealed vicarious liability nationwide in August 2005, trial lawyers have mounted numerous legal challenges to the statute. While the vast majority of courts have upheld the federal law, there are some cases that are requiring TRALA to expend significant resources to represent the industry in defense of the repeal statute. So far, TRALA has filed amicus briefs on behalf of the renting and leasing industry in five major cases involving the Graves Amendment. These include cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Florida Circuit Courts, Florida District Court of Appeals and the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York. Just as TRALA led the fight for the passage of the Graves Amendment in the US Congress in 2005, TRALA is now working to lead the united industry in defending the authority of the federal law in court. Winning every case is critical to insuring the continued elimination of liability without fault for owners of rented and leased vehicles in the United States.
These cases vividly prove that trial lawyers have no intention of giving up their pursuit of reinstating the vicarious liability laws, which enable them to get their hands into the pockets of vehicle renting and leasing companies. However, successful legal defense does not come without costs. Your contributions now to TRALA’s Legal Action Fund allow TRALA to have on hand the necessary resources to fight these efforts in court as they arise.
The list of TRALA's recent legislative actions and accomplishments isn't limited to just U.S. vicarious liability repeal. In 2007, TRALA succeeded in eliminating unlimited vicarious liability in British Columbia by capping liability similar to the successful effort in Ontario in 2006. Within the United States, recent TRALA legislative victories include a Michigan initiative enacting legislation that protects lessors from being liable for fuel tax violations committed by customers; carving out an exemption for motor vehicle leases in a New Mexico law prohibiting indemnification clauses in lease contracts; establishing permanent trailer plates in Idaho; and protecting lessors from liability for parking tickets in Connecticut.
TRALA’s unrivaled record of success has earned the truck renting and leasing industry a strong reputation at all levels of government. The Legal Action Fund goes a long way in ensuring that reputation will endure.
Please join your colleagues in making a contribution to TRALA's 2007 Legal Action Fund campaign and thanks for your continued support.
To see if you have already made a contribution for 2007, please check the Legal Action Fund Honor Roll
How can I contribute?
Contributions to TRALA's Legal Action Fund are deductible as a business expense for most members. However, TRALA estimates that 10% is not deductible because of TRALA's lobbying activities.
For your convenience, you have two payment options. You can either pay by credit card or print this page as an invoice and mail with your check to TRALA.
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