Sample Letters to Congress
Use these sample letters below to create your own letter on your letterhead. Call the AOA office (800-524-4814) if you need assistance with contact information.
FAX:
The Honorable (enter Your Representative's Name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative ________________
I am writing to express opposition to provisions in H.R. 1396 which will require increased regulation and impose new and more “stringent” Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) requirements for drivers of 9 to 15 passenger vans that cross state lines in the course of their business. The proposed legislation requires a CDL, electronic monitoring equipment and vehicle inspection even if transportation is incidental to the purpose of the business, as it is in my outfitting business. This new regulatory requirement will make it very difficult for small, seasonal businesses to find drivers with CDL’s and will cost thousands of jobs as outfitters are forced to curtail their business. Many outfitters operate along state borders and cross state lines. H.R. 1396 would also require installation of expensive driver monitoring equipment. States and federal agencies that permit outfitter operations may adopt the federal standard to receive highway funding.
We believe many outfitting businesses such as ours are being caught in a regulatory net cast for other transportation providers, where transportation is the primary purpose of the business. The CDL requirement with its increased requirements may force some outfitters and guides providing seasonal recreation services out of businesses. This unnecessary regulation will destroy jobs in an already fragile economy.
Therefore, I am urging you to support provisions that exempt outfitting businesses from the CDL requirement, installation of monitoring devices and federal inspection requirements where transportation is not the primary purpose of the business.
A leading insurer of outfitters has provided the following data on the loss experience for outfitters using 9 to 15 passenger vans. It clearly shows that this regulation is unwarranted and that the outfitting industry has a good driving record.
“Our leading provider of insurance for Commercial Automobile coverage for outfitters and guides is Progressive Insurance. The insurer has disclosed the following: From the period of 1-1-2006 through 12-31-2009 our office has placed $1,973,104 in premium with Progressive in Outfitters Commercial Automobile coverage. The total claims paid equals 15.06% of the written premium, above. During this time there is no record of a major claim involving a 9-15 passenger van. There is no record of a fatality or serious bodily injury in this book of Progressive Insurance business. The majority of claims are for physical damage to insured vans, repairs to the van itself.” Jim Sattler, Sattler Insurance, Lewiston, ID. January 2010.
Thank you for your support for small business. I look forward to hearing from you about this matter.
Sincerely,
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fax:
The Honorable (enter Your Senator's Name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator ________________
I am writing to ask you to oppose provisions in S. 554 which require Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) for drivers of 9 to 15 passenger vans operated by small businesses that cross state lines. The proposed legislation requires a CDL and vehicle inspections even if transportation is incidental to the purpose of the business. This new regulatory requirement will make it very difficult for small, seasonal businesses to find drivers with CDL’s. The legislation also requires increased training and testing requirements for CDL drivers.
This legislation will cost thousands of jobs in the outfitting industry without improving the safety record for outfitters, which is already good!
We believe many small businesses such as ours are being caught in a regulatory net cast for other transportation providers, where transportation is the primary purpose of the business. The CDL requirement, with its more stringent testing requirements, may force some outfitters and guides providing seasonal recreation services out of business.
The largest insurer of 9 to 15 passenger vans for outfitters has provided the following data on the loss experience. It clearly shows that this regulation is unwarranted.
“Our leading provider of insurance for Commercial Automobile coverage for outfitters and guides is Progressive Insurance. The insurer has disclosed the following: From the period of 1-1-2006 through 12-31-2009 our office has placed $1,973,104 in premium with Progressive in Outfitters Commercial Automobile coverage. The total claims paid equals 15.06% of the written premium, above. During this time there is no record of a major claim involving a 9-15 passenger van. There is no record of a fatality or serious bodily injury in this book of Progressive Insurance business. The majority of claims are for physical damage to insured vans, repairs to the van itself.” Jim Sattler, Sattler Insurance, Lewiston, ID. January 2010.
The outfitting industry has a good driving record. Many outfitters offer services on resources that make up state borders. Therefore, they cross state lines but only provide transportation as a service that is incidental to their operation. States and federal agencies that permit outfitter operations may also adopt the federal standard to receive highway funding.
Please oppose S. 554 unless the CDL requirement for 9 to 15 passenger vans is removed. Thank you for your support for small business. I look forward to hearing from you about this matter.
Sincerely,
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Thursday Mar 04, 2010
- AOA Comments to the Proposed DO 35B |
Wednesday Feb 10, 2010
- Summary of Notice of Intent, FS Planning Regulations |
Monday Feb 08, 2010
- Sample Letters Regarding CDL Regulations |
Friday Jan 22, 2010
- NOLS Letter on CDL Legislation |
Tuesday Jan 05, 2010
- AOA's Innovation Marketing Seminar Video |
Sunday Dec 13, 2009
- AOA 2009 Conference a Huge Success |
Tuesday Oct 06, 2009
- New FTC Regs on Testimonials and Blogging |
Friday Oct 02, 2009
- How to Contact Congress |
Thursday Jun 04, 2009
- Choosing the Best Outfitted Adventure Based On Your Fitness Level |
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