2023 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Unique Committee Structure Requires More Membership Involvement BY DAN BENNETT, REM, IOM, CAE PRESIDENT One of the many ways we support our members is through government advocacy; NHADA serves as your legislative watchdog. After bills are filed, we audit them to identify which will have an impact, for better or worse, on our industry. The involvement of our membership is critical to our success at the State House. There are three fundamental ways to support us: 1. Contribute to our Motor Vehicle Political Action Committee (MVPAC). This past year, our raised funds of $90,000 were used in a highly effective, giving strategy with over a 90% success rate of giving to winning candidates. 2.Make your voice heard! At some point, we will call on you to contact your representative. Remember, the House of Representatives represents you! The best voice they could hear is a member’s within their district. 3. Serve on the Legislative Committee, or one of our Boards. As of this writing, 912 bills have been filed. Every bill will get a public hearing, a committee vote, and a full chamber vote. If the bill is successful at crossover, it will flip chambers and get another shot at the other side of the bicameral body before making it to the governor’s desk. This year is unique because the committees are almost a 50/50 split, meaning bills may go to the floor with no recommendation. This makes your voice and involvement even more imperative. We will frequently educate you on many issues in the coming months and ask for your support. Some of the legislation you’ll hear about is: • HB 646: Eliminating the vehicle inspection mandate for noncommercial vehicles Rep. Matthew Santonastaso (R) Priority: High | Position: Oppose • HB 304: Relative to advanced driver assistance system disclosures by auto glass repair or replacement facilities Rep. Tim McGough (R) Priority: High | Position: Monitor • SB 256-FN: Establishing a safety program for off-highway recreational vehicles Senator Ruth Ward (R) Priority: High | Position: Support • SB 188-FN: Relative to catalytic converter theft Senator Donovan Fenton (D) Priority: High | Position: Support • HB 459: Relative to transactions exempt from the consumer protection act Rep. Tony Caplan Priority: High | Position: Oppose Remember, our voice at the Statehouse in Concord is only as loud as yours back home! Stay tuned for more information as the 2023 session opens up. Let me know if you have any questions on the above or on any legislative matters. I can be reached at dbennett@nhada.com or 603-224-2369. This year is unique because the committees are almost a 50/50 split, meaning bills may go to the floor with no recommendation. This makes your voice and involvement even more imperative. JANUARY 2023 9
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