Communications and Industry AffairsÌýCommitteeÌý
Provides member input to ÍøºìºÚÁÏ leadership and staff in their efforts to improve the image of the trucking industry and enhance ÍøºìºÚÁÏ's communications with its members, the news media, public officials, and the public. The committee also provides input in the development of communication strategies for ÍøºìºÚÁÏ's initiatives, such as essentiality, safety, and sustainability. The committee is engaged on behalf of ÍøºìºÚÁÏ in the Nothing Without Trucking industry-wide image movement, as well as other top image and outreach programs such as America's Road Team, Share the Road, Workforce Heroes,Ìý, National Truck Driving Championships, National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and National Technician Appreciation Week. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaisons: Jeremy Kirkpatrick and Nikki Thomas.
Environmental and Energy Policy Committee
Directs ÍøºìºÚÁÏ’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, stormwater and vehicle washing requirements, fuel storage, and energy efficiency improvements. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ includes trucking company executives, attorneys, senior environmental and energy managers, and state trucking association executives. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaisons:ÌýPatrick Kelly.
Hazardous Materials Policy Committee
Develops ÍøºìºÚÁÏ policy governing the transportation of hazardous materials. Committee members provide direct input on ÍøºìºÚÁÏ's comments to the executive agencies and develop position papers for use in ÍøºìºÚÁÏ's lobbying efforts. The current agenda includes 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. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: Brenna Lyles.
Highway Policy Committee
Considers and recommends policies and actions on all issues relating to highways and bridges; highway access; commercial vehicle size and weight; and highway user fees, tolls and taxes that impact the efficient movement of commercial truck traffic on the nation’s highways. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: Darrin Roth.
Independent Contractor Policy Committee
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. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: Nathan Mehrens.
Technology and Engineering Policy Committee
Develops ÍøºìºÚÁÏ policy on issues related to equipment engineering and design, intelligent transportation systems, information technology, vehicle enforcement, and sustainable operations. The Committee oversees the efforts of ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff in these areas as they respond to federal government legislation, rulemakings, and other actions. The Committee is advised by ÍøºìºÚÁÏ's Technology & Maintenance Council and oversees ÍøºìºÚÁÏ's Automated Truck Subcommittee. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: Kevin Grove.
Controlled Substances and Driver Health and Wellness Subcommittee
Advises the ÍøºìºÚÁÏ Safety Policy Committee and ÍøºìºÚÁÏ 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 ÍøºìºÚÁÏ Policy Committees and staff on developing strategy to ensure that these trends do not have an adverse impact on highway safety. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison:ÌýBrenna Lyles.
Legal Reform Advisory Committee
Addresses 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 ÍøºìºÚÁÏ on the development and implementation of strategies and solutions to combat lawsuit abuse and to implement 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. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaisons:ÌýPam Bracher and Richard Pianka.
Safety Policy Committee
Develops ÍøºìºÚÁÏ policy on driver, carrier, and occupational safety and health issues. The current agenda includes, among other issues, hours of service, electronic logging devices, CDL testing, improvements to the drug testing and medical certification programs, speed-related initiatives, and CSA reforms. It has one standing subcommittee: Controlled Substances and Driver Health and Wellness. The Committee also receives support from the Safety Management Council for research, analysis, and policy development. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: Brenna Lyles.
Small Carriers Committee
Serves as an advisory committee to ÍøºìºÚÁÏ's Board of Directors and Executive Committee, the mission of the Small Carriers Committee is to focus ÍøºìºÚÁÏ leadership and staff on the needs, attitudes, influence, and political strengths of the ÍøºìºÚÁÏ small carrier constituency; to recognize the importance of small carriers to ÍøºìºÚÁÏ and the trucking industry in general; and, to identify and advance issues, programs, and services that will assist small carriers. Open to all carriers with less than $34 million in revenue.ÌýÌýÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: John Lynch.
International Trade & Security Policy Committee
Acts as ÍøºìºÚÁÏ’s clearinghouse for all strategy related to the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies, such as Customs & Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration, as well as the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the U.S. Trade Representative. The committee directs ÍøºìºÚÁÏ’s advocacy efforts regarding all issues pertaining to international trade and transportation security. Current issues include cross-border trade, customs automation, trusted trader programs, and security background credentialing. The committee receives support from ÍøºìºÚÁÏ’s Transportation Security Council. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaisons: Kaitlyn HolmeckiÌý&²¹³¾±è; Bob Costello.
Tax Policy Committee
Develops ÍøºìºÚÁÏ 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 feeÌýand tax issues. The Committee receives support from the National Accounting & Finance Council for research, analysis, and policy development. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: Henry HanscomÌý&²¹³¾±è; Nathan Mehrens.
Workforce Development & Labor Policy Committee
Works to improve the quality of driver training programs and help expand career paths into trucking.Ìý The committee also informs on training models such as the ÍøºìºÚÁÏ Registered Apprenticeship Program and is responsible for considering and recommending policies and actions related to labor and employment within the industry. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: Nathan Mehrens.Ìý
Diversity Working Group
Provides a forum for ÍøºìºÚÁÏ members to recommend best practices to diversify workforces. Advises the Workforce Development and Labor Policy Committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison:ÌýNathan Mehrens
Automated Truck Subcommittee
Develops and recommends ÍøºìºÚÁÏ policy positions related to the regulation of automated truck and platooning technologies at the state and federal government levels. ÌýThe Automated Truck Subcommittee reports to the Technology and Engineering Policy Committee. ÌýIn addition to developing ÍøºìºÚÁÏ policy, the subcommittee also provides a forum for members and ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff to exchange information and discuss innovations related to automated and connected vehicle technology. ÍøºìºÚÁÏ staff liaison: Kevin Grove
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