Truck Renting and Leasing Association          

Volume II, Issue 4—May 2009

Industry Headlines

TRALA Fights Back Rental Tax Hike and Insurance Increases in Florida

TRALA teamed up with its industry allies in Florida to defeat proposals to add a new $2 per day tax on car and truck leases and rentals and to increase the minimum levels of insurance requirements for rented and leased vehicles.  The battle against both of these onerous proposals was waged up to the last day of the Florida legislative session, which ended on Friday, May 1. Click here to read a copy of the defeated amendment that would have increased  minimum financial  requirements.

TRALA Defends Industry in MN Vicarious Liability Case

TRALA is filing an amicus brief with the Minnesota Supreme Court in support of the vehicle renting and leasing industry in a vicarious liability case.  To date TRALA has filed six such “friend of the court” briefs on behalf of the industry since the August 2005 passage of the federal law known as the Graves Amendment (49 US 30106).  In five of those cases the courts have agreed with TRALA’s position and ruled in the industry’s favor by affirming the authority of the Graves Amendment to preempt state vicarious liability laws.  One case is still pending.  A copy of the Minnesota Court of Appeals opinion can be read here.

Minimum Insurance Increase in New York Faces TRALA Challenge

New York lawmakers are facing strong opposition from TRALA to legislation that would significantly increase the minimum levels of insurance required for vehicles rented or leased for less than one year.  Assembly Bill 2409 would increase the minimum required levels for trucks from 25,000/50,000 to 300,000/500,000, as well as requiring excess liability of coverage of $2 million for each vehicle.

TRALA Supporting Safety Technology Tax Credit

TRALA is strongly supporting federal legislation that would establish a tax credit equal to 50% of the cost of advanced safety technology for commercial trucks.  The legislation, HR 2024, was introduced by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) on April 22 and is known as the “Commercial Motor Vehicle Advanced Safety Technology Tax Act of 2009.”  TRALA has contacted the sponsor and promised to work with him on the passage of the bill. To see a copy of the legislation, click here.

Advertising Opportunities Are Available in TRALA’s 2009-2010 Membership Directory

Reach your target audience by advertising in the premier industry guide. There is still space available to advertise in the 2009/2010 Membership Directory and Buyers Guide. In addition to print advertising, you can also advertise on TRALA’s website or in EnRoute. It’s the most effective way to get your message heard! Contact Brian Hefner at (703) 299-9120 or bhefner@trala.org for more information.

Truck Renting and Leasing Association ■ 675 N. Washington Street ■ Suite 410 ■ Alexandria, VA  22314 ■ 703.299.9120

TRALA Industry Wire

Legislative Update

NationaLease Members Team up with TRALA to Lobby Card Check on Capitol Hill

TRALA members delivered their message to oppose the card check bill directly to several Senate offices on Monday, May 4.  Executives representing TRALA members Carco NationaLease, NationaLease of Kansas City and Fleming NationaLease met with senior staff from the offices of Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Senator Jim Webb (D-VA).  Their message to the Senators was simple…card check, also known as S. 560, the Employee Free Choice Act, is the wrong idea at the wrong time.  In addition to opposing S. 560, the group asked that the Senators oppose attempts to end the filibuster on the card check bill (invoking cloture) and oppose alternatives that open the door to the card check process and binding arbitration.

The request to vote against cloture is a critical aspect of TRALA’s campaign.  It would take 60 votes to end debate (end the filibuster) on S. 560.  Once debate is ended, it would only take 51 votes to pass the measure.  Given the current makeup of the Senate, once cloture is invoked, the bill would most certainly pass.

Senator Lincoln’s staff confirmed to the TRALA group that the Senator would oppose S. 560 and also vote against invoking cloture on the bill.  The Senator cites the economy and other critical issues including health care that need to be addressed.  She is concerned that the card check debate would distract the Senate from dealing with these other important issues.  Senator Webb and Senator Pryor, according to staff, may still be interested in seeking alternative legislation involving labor law reform and some of the provisions of S. 560.

TRALA is encouraging its members to join in the campaign against card check legislation.  Sample letters to Congress and to local newspapers, as well as background information on the card check issue, can be found on TRALA’s website at http://www.trala.org/govtrelations/Write_your_Rep.php.  For more information on TRALA’s opposition to card check, please contact TRALA’s Tom James at (703) 299-9120 or tjames@trala.org.

NTLS and Volvo Students Win

2009 TRALA Scholarships

Karson Brooks      Amanda Lane            Alexa Le