NAFA's Legislative Team Keeps Fleets Informed On Issues

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The legislative team of Patrick O’Connor and Huw Williams keeps NAFA Fleet Management Association Members informed on issues that affect fleets, providing one of the most valuable and most important facets of NAFA membership.

During the first half of 2010, O’Connor and Williams provided updates via NAFA newsletters, spoke directly to the membership at NAFA’s 2010 Institute & Expo, and began offering special legislative-based webinars. Coverage of legal issues will be enhanced even further this summer through the debut of two new newsletters – one for corporate fleet managers and one for public service fleet managers – that will include additional legislative analysis.

During NAFA’s 2010 I&E in April, Patrick O’Connor, NAFA’s U.S. Legislative Counsel, ran a session that featured information on climate change, alternative fuels, workplace safety, and transportation safety, and discussed how U.S. lawmakers and regulators impact the ways fleets operate within those topics. Huw Williams, NAFA’s Canadian Legislative Counsel, also ran a session at the I&E that provided information on how all levels of the Canadian Government target fleet issues such as alternative fuels, insurance, taxation, licensing, environment, and vehicle equipment.

In May, NAFA Members learned that the introduction of Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010), a new truck safety monitoring system by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), would be pushed back until later in the year with some portions delayed until 2011. Members were informed of a new rule that amends the FMCSA’s Hours of Service (HOS) rules with regard to commercial truck and bus companies that show serious patterns of HOS violations. The rule, which takes effect on June 1, 2012, will require such companies to install electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) in all vehicles. Meanwhile, Canadian Members were notified about the Proactive Enforcement and Defect Accountability Legislation (PEDAL) Act, which is intended to provide the Minister of Transport and the Transportation Department with the information, tools, and legislative authority needed to protect Canadians.

June’s update for U.S. fleet managers included information on the revised schedule for the roll out of the Comprehensive Analysis 2010 from now until the beginning of 2011 and analysis of two pieces of legislation that will directly affect fleet managers over the next few years. The first was a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Obama on May 21 that directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to create fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks while decreasing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The second piece of legislation, the American Public Power Act, was introduced on May 12 by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) to combat climate change and included several facets of direct importance to fleet managers.

On the Canadian side, Williams informed Members about the Private Member’s Bill (C-511) that was created in direct response to the legislative shortcomings resulting in the consequences from the Toyota recall. In addition, Members learned of legislation introduced in the Senate to combat automobile theft and property crime and Bill S-5, an act that seeks to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to allow – subject to certain conditions – the importation of certain used vehicles from Mexico in order for Canada to meet its free trade obligations.

NAFA’s role as a collective voice for fleet managers is one of the Association’s most essential benefits. NAFA encourages fleet managers to communicate regularly with lawmakers and regulators to assure that fleet concerns are considered when laws and regulations are being considered. NAFA’s Legislative Update newsletter keeps Members and Affiliates informed each month on pending laws or regulations that may affect them.