Dealers Meet with Lawmakers on Capitol Hill in September
Dealers spent the final day of the NIADA Policy Conference meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill discussing the Federal Trade Commission’s Vehicle Shopping Rule, Right to Repair, and legislation to prevent catalytic converter thefts.
Dealers held more than 100 meetings with members of the Senate and House of Representatives at the Library of Congress.
NIADA and dealers asked Congress to stop the proposed Vehicle Shopping Rule, which would add costs, more paperwork and extend the sales process.
The sale of a vehicle is already heavily regulated, with many required documents as part of the process. The FTC “Vehicle Shopping Rule” adds unnecessary costs, paperwork and time to the car-buying process. The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) found that the 10-year cost of the rule to consumers would exceed $38 billion and would add 2 hours per transaction. It also contradicts current laws.
NIADA and dealers pushed for lawmakers to support the “Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act,” which would assist law enforcement in their efforts to combat catalytic converter theft by marking catalytic converters and creating a more transparent market that deters its theft.
The rise in catalytic converters thefts are costing businesses and individuals millions of dollars each year. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that these thefts increased by 1,215 percent between 2019 and 2022. The association also urged Congress to move forward with the REPAIR Act, which would give vehicle owners and their designee access to diagnostics, repair, calibration and service for their vehicles to allow work to be completed by more repair providers, thereby reducing consumers’ costs.
The cost for consumers to repair their vehicles has grown by more than 66 percent since 2000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. More competition is required to reduce consumers’ costs as provided by the REPAIR Act and SMART Act.
The Day on the Hill closed the two-day Policy Conference, which also included sessions with the FTC, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
Amy Bennett the Executive Director of GIADA, Jason Reaves of Wayne Reaves Computer Systems, Ben Carter and Jack Carter – Turn and Burn Motors, Rondis Cavender – Cavender Auto, David Johnson – Jasper Easy Car Credit, David Mosley – Cherokee Auto Group, Neil Rawls – Georgia Certified Motors, Lacretia Carroll – Matrixx Auto Group, Tommy McDonald – Rainey Used Cars and the GIADA Lobbyist – Mo Thrash and John Haliburton all represented Georgia at the Capital.
We had very busy day and put in over 18,000 steps! We were able to visit and share our concerns with United States Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Collins, Rich McCormick, Barry Loudermilk, Buddy Carter, Rick Allen, Austin Scott and Drew Ferguson. After lunch in the Library of Congress, we finished up the day with a final debriefing of the day’s events.
I want to encourage all dealers to keep your membership active and give to the association PAC fund. Your donation does make a difference at the capital. We are really heard when we donate to the campaigns and they know we have 3000 members!
GIADA is working hard for you every day, to have your voices heard and to train and keep your dealership compliant.
Thank you to all our devoted board members and all our dealers in Georgia who see the value in becoming members of the largest and best association in the country!
