About the Program
What is NATM’s Role in Regulatory and Legislative Matters?
In order for the industry to continue growing and realize its full potential, a legislative and regulatory environment that promotes safe and efficient trailer manufacturing and utilization practices is essential. The Association’s members, however, face a wide array of often conflicting or unworkable federal and state laws and regulations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed rules mandating placards on the “driver’s side B-pillar” or next to the “driver’s seating position” for motor vehicles – including trailers. However, since NATM manufacturers would not have been able to comply with the proposed rules since trailers do not have a “driver’s side B-pillar” or a “driver seating position”, the Association worked to obtain a clarification in the final rule stating that trailers designed to carry cargo were not intended to be covered by the regulation.
There are radical differences in brake laws from state-to-state. In Minnesota, brakes are required on all trailers with gross vehicle weight ratings of 3,000 pounds or more. Michigan, however, only requires brakes on all trailers with a GVWR of 15,000 pounds or more. There are also exemptions to those requirements, such as a Colorado exception that permits two-horse trailers to operate without brakes.
NATM seeks to educate not only its members but also Members of Congress, Congressional staff members and responsible regulatory agencies as to the unique challenges facing the industry because the Association believes the industry should be a part of developing an open atmosphere of awareness and information so trailer performance and safety is continuously improved.Government Affairs Committee
Board
- Andy Gehman, MGS - Chair
- Adam Dexter, Dexter Axle
- Gary Potter, EZ Loader Boat Trailers
- Lynn Beal, Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing
- Rick Russell, Carry-On Trailer
- Darrell Conner, K&L Gates
- Dennis Potter, K & L Gates
- Pam O'Toole, NATM
- Allison Malmstrom, NATM
- Lynn Beal, Big Tex Trailers
- Travis Eby, M.H. Eby
- Steve Taub, U-Haul International
- John Kerr, Haake Companies
- Carl Maxey, Maxey Manufacturing
Purpose:
The purpose of the Government Affairs Committee is to raise NATM’s visibility among key government decision-makers and to advance NATM’s position in order to proactively shape federal laws and regulations that may have a material impact on the light- and medium duty trailer industry.
Government Affairs Committee Objectives:
- Work with K&L Gates to develop a plan to monitor and influence legislation and regulation. The plan should include:
- Leveraging existing assets within NATM
- Developing a coherent government affairs message
- Educating key decision-makers on identity of NATM and issues of concern
