ACA International is advocating for a more tailored approach to well-intentioned legislation providing grants to states that do not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driver’s license or vehicle registration for failure to pay a civil or criminal fine or fee.
8/4/2021 10:15
ACA International is urging members to contact their members of Congress and ask them to vote no on a potential amendment, N. 2137, to the bipartisan infrastructure deal. The amendment, which is expected to be offered by U.S. Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Del., includes the Driving for Opportunity Act of 2021. The bill also has bipartisan co-sponsors in both chambers.
The bill would provide grants to states that do not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driver’s license of a person or refuse to renew a registration of a motor vehicle for failure to pay a civil or criminal fine or fee.
Although there are well-intentioned aspects of the Driving for Opportunity Act, ACA has been advocating for a more tailored approach with fewer unintended consequences.
ACA has argued that during a time when local governments need more resources, it does not make sense to take a legitimate source of revenue away, particularly one that has a public safety component keeping American families safe.
Members can find contact information for their congressional representative here. ACA is urging those concerned about this legislation to call and express their concerns.
Talking points outlining industry concerns about the Driving for Opportunity Act are listed in ACA’s 2021 advocacy book available on the Advocacy Resource Center.
Tune in to today’s ACA Huddle at 11 a.m. CDT for more federal advocacy updates on the legislation and activity on Capitol Hill as well as state legislative and compliance updates.
Patrick Russell, ACA’s director of federal advocacy, will be joined by Ryan Jarmula, deputy chief of staff and district director for U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind., for a discussion on “Recess Does Not Mean Vacation: District Work and Constituent Engagement During the Month of August.”
For questions about the Driving for Opportunity Act or the potential amendment, please contact Leah Dempsey, ACA’s vice president and senior counsel, federal advocacy, at [email protected].