ALEXANDRIA, Va. – When United Motorcoach Association members travel to Washington later this month to meet with members of Congress, they will be dealing with lawmakers who have a focus on reducing, rather than increasing, regulations on businesses.
That is a major change from recent years, when the motorcoach industry has been fighting off such proposed new regulations as an increase in insurance minimums, a strict rule regulating bus leasing and efforts by regulators to finalize a new rule on the Safety Fitness Determination.
UMA members who traveled to Washington last spring for the annual Capitol Hill Days Fly-In were able to convince some of their congressional representatives that such regulations could cripple the motorcoach industry, and would be especially onerous to small operators.
This year when UMA members return to the capital April 25-26, they are likely to find even more receptive legislators, especially those who believe the overreach of regulations is hampering every sector of society.
Since President Donald Trump issued an order Jan. 20 to federal agencies to freeze new rules and to delay those published but not yet effective, some of the pending regulations that would affect the motorcoach industry have been in limbo.
A rule establishing driver-training standards for entry-level bus and truck drivers already has been postponed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding regulations, and the new focus in both Congress and the administration, the motorcoach industry has a chance to make further inroads in its efforts to fend off legislation and rules detrimental to operators.
One of UMA’s priorities is killing the regulation on coach leasing.
That is why UMA is encouraging members to attend this year’s Capitol Hill Days to continue the momentum the association has generated in recent years.
UMA makes appointments for members with their congressional delegation, prepares participants with background and talking points, and (in most instances) supplies a staff member to assist members during their appointments.
“This is your chance to meet with those elected to represent your interests in Congress. It’s your turn to speak up and let them know your concerns,” UMA says in encouraging participation.
For more information and to register for the event, go to http://www.uma.org/industry/capitol-hill.
