IT ISN’T JUST THE LEGISLATORS WHO NEED TO HEAR FROM TRUCKING IN 2015. IT’S THE PUBLIC—THE MOTHERS, FATHERS, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND FELLOW DRIVERS WHO SHARE OUR ROADS—THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE INDUSTRY BRINGS TO COMMUNITIES AND HOW SAFELY YOU STRIVE TO GET IT THERE.
to prevent tolling on existing roadways and to regulate towing companies and nonconsensual tows within the state. One of our top priorities for 2015 is
to pass anti-indemnification legislation. Currently, shippers can require indem- nification clauses in shipping contracts that relieve them of all liability for damages, even damages caused by the shipper. In 2013, the ATA pursued leg- islation against these indemnity clauses when thirty-nine (39) other states had transportation anti-indemnity statutes. Arkansas is now on an even shorter list of states without protection for carriers. In the months ahead, we will be educat- ing our state legislators on this issue to prohibit shippers from requiring motor carriers to accept liability for all dam- ages, no matter the circumstances. Another resolution is to protect the
recent changes Congress passed to the hours-of-service rules. Since its imple- mentation in July 2013, the new rule has faced criticism from the industry, and members of Congress like Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) have success- fully worked to change the new provi- sions until further studies can verify any added safety from the limited work weeks, rest during overnight hours and required breaks. Congress has sus- pended the changes and reverted back to the pre-2013 rules until September 2015. With a new Congress poised to take over in January, it is the ATA’s goal to educate new senators and representa- tives about the industry’s position to make the change permanent in a long- term federal highway bill. Supporting ELD implementation
is another ATA goal this year. FMCSA is expected to issue the final rule in September 2015 after ATA and other
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supporters invested more than six months lobbying and supporting the passage of a federal mandate in 2012 to require electronic on-board recorders in all commercial trucks.
TO PROMOTE But it isn’t just the legislators who
need to hear from trucking in 2015. It’s the public—the mothers, fathers, friends, neighbors and fellow driv- ers who share our roads—they need to know what the industry brings to com- munities and how safely you strive to get it there. It is our ongoing resolution to promote the industry’s commitment to safety, to secure funding for promo- tional safety education programs and use all the available means and plat- forms to ensure the citizens know what we know—Trucking Moves America Forward—to enhance the image of the industry. The work of protection and service
is impossible without strong contacts in the legislative branch. To promote the trucking industry, we resolve to increase interaction between members and leg- islators. Our members need an avenue to tell their stories to those in positions of power, and by planning opportunities for those interactions to take place, we invite legislators to become a positive part of those stories. We will be listen- ing to those who want to interact with legislators and finding ways to call on Washington and gather at the Capitol to make it happen.
TO SERVE While we improve outgoing mes-
sages, we also resolve to communicate better within the organization and industry as well.
Now, more than ever, we need
drivers and potential drivers to know they are needed, respected and invested. Our goal is to support promotional programs to attract drivers and recruit men and women who are prepared for the challenges of the road. If it is training and funding that prevents good drivers from getting behind wheels, ATA is prepared to pursue funding for Arkansas student drivers to receive training in exchange for five years driving in the industry. We must also increase and
improve communication between board and membership by opening board meetings to members. This invests the membership, creates transparency and opens lines of communication. We are successful when our
members are successful. We resolve to provide our members with information to further success by educating members on best business practices. We will continue to host educational opportunities each quarter for members and councils.
OUR VALUES To serve as advocate and voice of
the trucking industry in the state of Arkansas, we will especially focus on living the values of respect, the power of networking and inclusion in 2015, and we will make resolutions of more protection, louder promotion and better service. As you can see, we have a busy year
ahead of us. We have set our priorities on protecting, promoting and serving YOU. In 2015, we resolve to be YOUR association.
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 6 2014
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