Policy Committee Request Form

Provides member input to ATA leadership and staff in their efforts to improve the image of the trucking industry and enhance ATA's communications with its members, the news media, public officials and the general public.  The committee also provides input in the development of communication strategies for ATA's initiatives, such as essentiality, safety and sustainability.  The committee is engaged on behalf of ATA in the Trucking Moves America Forward industry wide image movement, as well as other top image and outreach programs such as America's Road Team, Share the Road, GetTrucking.com, National Truck Driving Championships and National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. ATA staff liaison:  Elisabeth Barna and Sue Hensley.
Is responsible for developing ATA policy relating to federal and state taxes affecting the trucking industry.  The Committee addresses business taxes, such as corporate income and franchise taxes, excise taxes, estate taxes, sales and use taxes and license fees.  In addition, the Committee considers operating taxes such as fuel taxes, tire taxes, vehicle registration fees and heavy-vehicle use taxes.  The Committee coordinates with the Highway Policy Committee on highway user fee and tax issues. The Committee receives support from the National Accounting & Finance Council for research, analysis and policy development. ATA staff liaison: David Bauer.
Directs ATA’s activities on environmental and energy matters including sustainability, air pollution rules, vehicle emission standards, anti-idling and diesel engine retrofit measures, fuel standards, hazardous waste issues, storm water and vehicle washing requirements, fuel storage, and energy efficiency improvements.  Membership includes trucking company executives, attorneys, senior environmental and energy managers, and state trucking association executives. ATA staff liaison: Glen Kedzie.
Is responsible for developing ATA policy governing the transportation of hazardous materials. Committee members provide direct input on ATA's comments to the executive agencies and develop position papers for use in ATA's lobbying efforts.  The current agenda includes reauthorization of the federal hazardous materials transportation law, working with DOT and DHS on the implementation of hazardous materials safety and security initiatives, harmonizing the U.S. hazardous materials regulations with international standards, and ensuring uniformity of state regulations in order to promote the safe, secure and efficient transportation of these critical materials.  The committee receives additional support from the Safety Management Council’s hazardous materials committee. ATA staff liaison: Dan Horvath.
 
Is responsible for considering and recommending policies and actions on all issues relating to highways and bridges, highway access, commercial vehicle size and weight, Intelligent Vehicle System technology and highway user fees, tolls and taxes that impact the efficient movement of commercial truck traffic on the nation’s highways. ATA staff liaison: Darrin Roth.
 
The mission is to recommend the development, advocacy, and implementation of strategies and solutions to protect the independent contractor truck driver workforce model.  The committee makes policy recommendations as well as manages the issues that develop nationally and helps to formulate a cohesive national independent contractor protection strategy. ATA staff liaison:  Nick Geale.
Is the ATA venue for addressing the highway accident litigation crisis and other forms of lawsuit abuse. The Committee brings together all the relevant stakeholders—motor carrier in-house counsel, members of the insurance industry, private-practice lawyers who defend motor carriers, state trucking association executives, and any others concerned with the problem of lawsuit abuse against the trucking industry—to make recommendations to the appropriate bodies within ATA on the development and implementation of strategies and solutions to combat lawsuit abuse, and other legal reforms. The Committee’s mission extends to the development of education and training programs, federal and state legislation, image initiatives, and fundraising to support legal reform efforts financially.
 
Is responsible for developing ATA policy on driver, carrier and occupational safety and health issues.  The current agenda includes, among other issues, hours of service, electronic on-board recorders, CDL regulatory and program changes, improvements to the drug testing and medical certification programs, speed related initiatives.  It has one standing subcommittee:  Hours of Service. The Committee also receives support from the Safety Management Council for research, analysis and policy development. ATA staff liaison:  Dan Horvath.
 
Advises the ATA Safety Policy Committee and ATA staff on real world impacts of marijuana legalization trends, other controlled substance-related trends, and driver health trends on the trucking industry and to work with ATA Policy Committees and staff on developing strategy to ensure that these trends do not have an adverse impact on highway safety. ATA staff liaison: Laura Spector and Dan Horvath.
This committee acts as ATA’s clearinghouse for all strategy related to the Department of Homeland Security and related agencies.  The committee directs ATA’s advocacy efforts regarding all issues pertaining to transportation security and international trade via commercial motor vehicle.  Current issues include the NAFTA border opening, customs automation, driver immigration, security background credentialing, and trusted trader programs.  The Committee also receives support from the Transportation Security Council’s homeland security committee for research, analysis and policy development. ATA staff liaison:  Bob Costello.
Develops and recommends ATA policy on issues related to vehicle engineering and design, intelligent transportation systems, information technology, telecommunications, and related topics.  The Committee oversees the efforts of ATA staff in these areas as they respond to federal government legislation, rulemakings, and other actions.  The Committee has three advisory groups, the Technical Advisory Group, the Technology & Maintenance Council, and the IT & Logistics Council. ATA staff liaison: Paul Ruiz and Kevin Grove.
 
Develops and recommends ATA policy positions related to the regulation of automated truck and platooning technologies at the state and federal government levels.  The Automated Truck Subcommittee reports to the Technology and Engineering Policy Committee.  In addition to developing ATA policy, the subcommittee also provides a forum for members and ATA staff to exchange information and discuss innovations related to automated and connected vehicle technology. ATA staff liaison: Kevin Grove.
Responsible for efforts to increase the number of professional truck drivers and thereby decrease the driver shortage and other industry workforce needs.  Works to inform on training models such as the ATA Registered Apprenticeship Program.  Is responsible for considering and recommending policies and actions related to labor and employment within the industry. ATA staff liaison: Nick Geale.
Provides a forum for ATA members to recommend best practices to diversify workforces. Advises the Workforce Development and Labor Policy Committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. ATA staff liaison: Nathan Mehrens.
 
Addresses the issues unique to small carriers and those specific to the industry, and provides recommendations to policy committees and ATA. Open to all carriers with less than $27.5 million in revenue. ATA staff liaison: John Lynch.