Along with an update from the Federal Trade Commission among other activities, the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association identified four issues that will be addressed during its National Policy Conference, which is the organization’s most significant advocacy event.

NIADA and member dealers will gather in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15-16 for panel discussions and meetings with Congressional lawmakers and their staff. Four of the policy topics NIADA plans to broach with them include:

  • H.R. 1566 and S. 1379, the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act, which would remove current access restrictions set forth by OEMs and give consumers the right to have access to their vehicle data and the ability to use independent repair shops and aftermarket parts.
  • S. 2238, the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act, which would stem the flow of the illicit catalytic converter sales by requiring stamped identifying serial numbers on each component; require recordkeeping for entities that purchase catalytic converters to aid law enforcement efforts to disrupt illegal sales; and, establish federal criminal penalties for theft, unlawful sale, or trafficking of stolen catalytic converters.
  • H.R. 1652, the Rectifying Undefined Descriptions of Abusive Acts and Practices (Rectifying UDAAP) Act, which would require the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to define what constitutes an “abusive act or practice;” exclude discriminatory practices from the definition of UDAAP; and establish clear policies and procedures for imposing monetary penalties.
  • H.R. 654, the Taking Account of Bureaucrats’ Spending (TABS) Act, which would restructure the CFPB as an empowerment agency, take it out of the Federal Reserve System, and place the CFPB’s funding under the congressional appropriations process.

“Together with a group of your peers, you will meet face-to-face with the members of Congress that represent you and share our position on the issues that impact your business,” NIADA said in an event invitation.

“You will be thoroughly briefed on the relevant issues, personally guided through the halls of Congress and provided position papers to share with the offices you visit,” NIADA added.

Along with those meetings on Capitol Hill, NIADA’s National Policy Conference also is set to include a state of the industry discussion involving other automotive industry groups as well as an update from state association executives on legislative efforts so far this year.

NIADA said registration is just $100 per attendee, but dealers must register by Friday to ensure organizers have sufficient time to arrange meetings with specific legislators. Registration can be completed via this website.

Accommodation at the event venue, the Omni Shoreham, costs $299 per night through Friday or until room block is sold out. You can book your hotel stay here.