POLITICAL SOLUTIONS

TALKING UP THE ISSUES

ARA takes the concerns of Auto Recyclers to those who can effect change at the 8th Annual State Legislative Summit & Hill Day March 16 and 17 in Washington, D.C.

appearing in state legislatures across the country? Are you interested in learning how other states are tackling the same issues that auto recyclers in your area are facing? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then make your way to Washington, D.C. on Monday, March 16 for ARA’s State Legislative Summit!

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Capitol Hill Lobbying Day is not to be missed. ARA will help you set up meet- ings with your state repre- sentatives on the Hill for March 17. What happens on the state level ultimately makes its way to Congress. Help your representative understand your position these all important issues!

52 Automotive Recycling | January-February 2015

ARA will convene the 8th Annual State Legislative Summit at the W Hotel located in downtown Washington, D.C., in conjunction with an ARA Board of Directors meeting on Sunday, March 15 and Capitol Hill Lobbying Day on Tuesday, March 17. All ARA members and affiliated state chapter organiza- tions are invited to participate as attendees will spend an entire day focused on the top legislative issues impacting the professional automo- tive recycling industry at the state level.

Initiated in 2008 by ARA Past President Sandy Blalock, the State Legislative Summit is an annual in- person opportunity for ARA mem- bers from across the United States to come together for the sole purpose of exchanging valuable grassroots

re you active in the policy- making process at the local or state level? Do you want to learn more about what issues impacting profession- al automotive recyclers are

information, identifying and discussing critical state legislative issues and strategies. Last year’s State Legislative Summit included updates from the over 20 states represented, including legisla- tive successes and challenges faced by automotive recyclers during the 2014 state legislative sessions. Attendees provided overviews of recently passed legis- lation impacting auto recyclers in their states, legislative strategies and talking points employed, and goals for the coming months and for 2015 legislative sessions. Discussion focused quickly on the threat posed to pro- fessional automotive recyclers by unlicensed entities purchasing salvage vehicles and often engaging in ille- gal activities. Led by Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Norman Wright and Director of State Government and Grassroots Affairs, Jessica Andrews, attendees identified four other top issues facing the industry on the state level: access to salvage and non- repairable vehicles, efforts to incorporate NMVTIS reporting and enforcement, the importance of build- ing relationships with industry stakeholders and gov- ernmental agencies, as well as initiatives to collect sales tax on salvage vehicle purchases by individuals other than licensed dismantlers and recyclers. Attendees tell ARA that one of the top reasons that they attend the State Legislative Summit each year is the vital sharing of information among the states. The State Legislative Summit is the only in-person opportu- nity throughout the year where ARA members have an extended amount of time, in-person, to dialogue and engage with industry peers -- all of whom are actively engaged in state legislative issues.

For more information on attending this year’s State Legislative Summit and Capitol Hill Day, please contact ARA Director of State Government and Grassroots Affairs, Jessica Andrews, at Jessica@a-r-a.org. ■

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