RV Industry ‘Moves the Needle’ during Advocacy Day in D.C. – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
Serving once again as the book end to a bust RVs Move America Week, 100 RV Industry Association (RVIA) members and partners participated in Advocacy Day on Wednesday June 4, in which they attended 107 meetings with federal legislators and decision-makers on Capitol Hill to emphasize the RV industry’s considerable economic impact and advocate for several industry priorities.
With a $140 billion economic impact, a strong voice in Washington, D.C. is vital for the industry’s continued success, noted the RVIA in a News & Insights report. Jason Rano, RVIA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, emphasized the importance of engaging with policymakers to achieve legislative goals and secure a stronger future for the RV industry.
“Thanks to the dedication and commitment of our members and partners who attended and participated yesterday, it was a big success and we’ll certainly see the results of it,” Rano told RVBusiness before heading into the RVIA Board of Directors meeting. “We’ve seen the results of that commitment even before yesterday in the House tax package, including the Travel Trailer & Camper Tax Parity Act, and closing the di minimis loophole, which started in the introduction of the America the Beautiful Act.
“What yesterday does,” he continued, “is continue to move our issues forward because our members continue to participate and lead the effort to accomplish our goals.”
Rano noted that Advocacy Day attendees participated in 107 meetings with the three Indiana Congressional members – Sens. Todd Young and Jim Banks and Rep. Rudy Yakym – and dozens of other Congresspeople and their staffs, including a large contingent from Iowa. There were also meetings with the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Commerce Department, Department of Interior and NHTSA, among others.
“… As well as either members or staff or the committee chairs and ranking members of nearly all of them for our most priority committees,” Rano added. “And that doesn’t happen by chance. That happens because our members continue to value and commit to what we’re doing here in Washington and, honestly, around the country and the states. These folks here understand the value and importance of our industry and want to take the time to meet with us and understand our concerns and our priorities.”
Rano also expressed his appreciation for the 100 industry volunteers who participated in Advocacy Day.
“We have a great Government Affairs team here. I’m really proud to be a member of it, and they do tremendous work day in and day out on behalf of our industry. But what moves the needle more than anything is our members being here,” he said. “All of us on the GA team can share a story about what one company or one sector is doing around tariffs, how they’re being impacted by de minimis or whatever priority we’re talking about. But when business leaders come and say, this is what’s happening because of tariffs, this is how we’re mitigating it, this is the impact and risk to our lifestyle – that makes a huge difference. And, to be honest, that makes the GA team’s lives a little bit easier.
“But to take the time to be here and not only for Advocacy Day, but throughout the week to do the work of the committees, which are so important to what we do as an association and then take a full day and a half to prep and be in these meetings is incredibly invaluable. The whole team and the whole association are incredibly appreciative of everybody who does it,” Rano said.
Courtesy of the same RVIA News & Insights report, here’s an overview of the key legislative priorities addressed:
- Ensuring Fairness and Certainty for American Businesses and Manufacturers: The RV industry, a cornerstone of American manufacturing, discussed strategic tariff implementation that minimizes harm to U.S. manufacturers while maximizing pressure on foreign actors. Concerns were raised about tariff uncertainty hindering business planning and investment, and the direct impact of retaliatory tariffs on motorized RV exports. Advocates highlighted the difficulty in reshoring all parts and materials, and the need for a tailored exclusion process for businesses.
- Fair Tax Treatment of All RV Dealers: The current federal tax code unfairly impacts towable RVs, which constitute 85% of the RV industry, by limiting their floor plan financing interest deductions to 30%. The industry is advocating for cosponsors to join S. 1314, the Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act in the Senate, and for that legislation to be included in the Senate tax package. The House recently passed a tax package that includes H.R. 332, the companion legislation.
- Investing in Public Lands and Outdoor Recreation: The RV industry strongly supports the reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund, which has been crucial for addressing maintenance backlogs on public lands, including roads and campgrounds that RVers rely on daily. This fund has made transformative investments in public lands and gateway communities. Advocates urged lawmakers to support the reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund, in the America the Beautiful Act (S. 1547).
- Join the RV Caucus: Finally, members encouraged their representatives to join the RV Caucus, which promotes the RV industry and provides critical support on important industry issues like tariffs, federal housing definitions, and campground modernization and expansion. The caucus also helps educate their colleagues on the industry and the issues that impact it.
Go deeper on all these topics in the RV Industry Association Federal Policy Agenda.
