TIADA Members Support You at the Texas Capitol

by Stephen Pallas TIADA Director of Marketing and Communications

It was an overcast day on February 7 in Austin, with rain threatening to dampen the 2023 TIADA Day at the Capitol. But the forecast did not stop over 60 TIADA dealers and associate members in Texas from traveling to the Capitol in Austin to advocate for legislation and policies beneficial to the independent automobile industry. Throughout the day, members discussed issues that will impact their businesses with 70 state legislators and staff.

One theme that recurred throughout our conversations with members is the importance of the relationships TIADA has established at the Capitol. And Steve Jordan, owner of AutoVida in Lancaster, credits both legislators and members with fostering those relationships.

“It’s important because dealers always have to have a presence with those who seek to regulate and influence our business,” Jordan said. “This is a must-be-present to win business, and if we’re not present, we’re not winning. And it’s important to build those relationships, stay front and center in front of our elected officials and tell them what we’re seeing on a day-to-day basis, because they don’t always know what they don’t know, and they want to know how they can help.”

Even for first-time attendees, it was obvious that building a rapport with lawmakers is crucial to supporting the independent automobile industry. Anna-Lisa

Corrales, VP of Legal Affairs

and Compliance with Vroom, noted the significance of bringing real-world understanding about the business to legislators.

VP of Legal Affairs and Compliance, Vroom

“Dealers can get such a great benefit from meeting their legislators and letting them understand the issues faced in our industry; plus, the collaborative spirit you find dealerto-dealer at the event is very palpable. There is so much value in having a seat at the table with lawmakers and industry, and it cannot be underestimated,” Corrales said.

Scott Allen, of Auto Land in Haltom City, is a more veteran presence at the TIADA Day at the Capitol. Allen emphasized how it is “extremely important to the industry that legislators know who we are, especially after not being able to walk the Capitol halls here in Austin during the previous legislative session. Every single one of the meetings that

I’ve been to, I’ve asked, do you know who we are? Have you ever heard of TIADA? And in every case, they are familiar with who we are.”

Allen attributes the legislators’ familiarity with the association to its ongoing efforts, not just at this event during the legislative session, but throughout the year.

In addition to the strong presence of its dealer members, the event was sponsored by several associate members who came to represent and speak on behalf of the industry. Mike Browning, General Manager at Manheim San Antonio, highlighted how important the Day at the Capitol was for independent dealers in Texas. “The opportunity to voice our support and concerns to our legislators is critical to our industry. We accomplished some good work today, and there is even more to do.”

The advocacy efforts began Monday evening as TIADA hosted an informal reception where lawmakers and dealers could meet and introduce themselves. Then on Tuesday morning, the TIADA delegation split up into small groups of dealers and associate members to meet with lawmakers from both the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. Members used these meetings to highlight TIADA’s specific legislative priorities for this session including: increasing the validity of a state inspection for a dealer sale only from 180 days to one year; numerous efforts by members of the Texas Legislature to address catalytic converter theft. TIADA supports SB 224 (Alvarado, Whitmire), which criminalizes the possession of 2 or more catalytic converters that have been removed from 2 or more different vehicles; and several measures to support lienholders, including a bill that ensures property owners are fully compensated for crashes caused by another driver, one that ensures that insurers fairly compensate property owners for losses by providing an appraisal process to ensure fair evaluations of losses, and one that increases the minimum liability coverage for automobile insurance policies from $25,000 to $50,000.

According to those in attendance, legislators and their staff were consistently receptive to the association’s goals and expressed an openness to working with members of the industry.

“This is our opportunity to sit down with the legislators that shape our laws and be able to have a voice,” said April Hanson, Market Director of Coast to Coast Motors. Fellow Houston dealer, Juan Sabillon, Owner of Mi Tierra Auto Sales, reiterated her sentiments. “Each one of the representatives that we have visited with has been very receptive,” he said. “And they understand the issues that we’re talking to them about.”

Jonathan Rudd, Vice president of ACV Auctions, walked away with a strong sense of community of progress for the industry. “We had a great time interacting with each of the senators and representatives at the Capitol and with the many dealers that were present,” Rudd said. “The information provided was both informative and important to the continued success of each of our mutual partners.”

Kirk Lauritsen, of Assured Vehicle Protection, echoed the significance of this event as a major part of what the association does throughout the year. “Every dealer should take the time to do this at least once,” Lauritsen said. “What a great way to meet your legislators, build a relationship with them, and let them know your legislative concerns.”

TIADA’s legislative efforts are just beginning. Be sure to visit the TIADA website, where you will find the Legislative Action Center and blog updates on the latest legislative developments. You will also be able to track key legislation and find information about contacting your representatives. Your voice matters and helps us strengthen our industry.

Resource Guide

The TIADA Website: www.txiada.org

Members can log in with their username/password and access our Dealer Member Directory, Legislative Action Center, Compliance Consultation Service and much more. Register for all upcoming TIADA events online through the Calendar of Events, access our online membership application, find contact information for all our Local Chapters, and access many additional resources through our Knowledge Base.

License Renewal Certificate

TexasDealerEducation.com

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

888.368.4689 www.txdmv.gov

Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner

800.538.1579 occc.texas.gov

Texas Comptroller

800.252.1382 comptroller.texas.gov

NIADA

817.640.3838 www.niada.com

REPOSSESSIONS

American Recovery Association

972.755.4755 www.repo.org or contact

TIADA state office

FORMS

Burrell Printing

512.990.1188 www.burrellprinting.com