Legislative Program
Where does the association stand? Below you will find TIADA’s legislative policies, issues and positions.
TIADA LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
General Legislative Policies
a. TIADA supports legislative changes that improve and enhance the dealer licensing process and promote honesty and fair dealing while protecting Texas dealers from unfair competition from unlicensed individuals.
b. TIADA opposes unnecessary regulation that creates paperwork and manpower burdens on law-abiding dealers without providing corresponding benefits to the industry and the public.
c. TIADA supports measures that enhance government efficiency and maximize benefits to Texas citizens and the industry at the lowest cost.
d. TIADA supports measures that increase enforcement efforts against those who operate in the industry illegally, unlicensed, and who defraud dealers and the public.
e. TIADA opposes any measure that would impede that ability of a dealer to transfer a motor vehicle title, or that would adversely impact the integrity of the Texas motor vehicle title system.
f. TIADA supports efforts to enhance and improve the temporary tag system and opposes any effort that would hinder, without due process, a dealer’s ability to issue temporary tags.
g. TIADA supports efforts to enhance the industry voice of independent dealers within Texas governmental branches and maintain a consistent and open line of communication with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Comptroller and Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner.
h. TIADA supports working with other vehicle lienholder groups to protect first recorded vehicle liens from attempts by third parties to impose superior liens for mechanic’s claims, and storage and towing charges.
i. TIADA supports an automobile environment that creates favorable protections for automobile dealers, lienholders and customers.
Current Legislative Issues
General Legislative Policies
a. TIADA supports legislative changes that improve and enhance the dealer licensing process and promote honesty and fair dealing while protecting Texas dealers from unfair competition from unlicensed individuals.
b. TIADA opposes unnecessary regulation that creates paperwork and manpower burdens on law-abiding dealers without providing corresponding benefits to the industry and the public.
c. TIADA supports measures that enhance government efficiency and maximize benefits to Texas citizens and the industry at the lowest cost.
d. TIADA supports measures that increase enforcement efforts against those who operate in the industry illegally, unlicensed, and who defraud dealers and the public.
e. TIADA opposes any measure that would impede that ability of a dealer to transfer a motor vehicle title, or that would adversely impact the integrity of the Texas motor vehicle title system.
f. TIADA supports efforts to enhance and improve the temporary tag system and opposes any effort that would hinder, without due process, a dealer’s ability to issue temporary tags.
g. TIADA supports efforts to enhance the industry voice of independent dealers within Texas governmental branches and maintain a consistent and open line of communication with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Comptroller and Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner.
h. TIADA supports working with other vehicle lienholder groups to protect first recorded vehicle liens from attempts by third parties to impose superior liens for mechanic’s claims, and storage and towing charges.
i. TIADA supports an automobile environment that creates favorable protections for automobile dealers, lienholders and customers.
Current Legislative Issues
1. Dealer Education
a. TIADA supports legislation that would require a minimum amount of approved education for new dealer licensing applicants before a general distinguishing number would be issued. The education must address basic issues that all dealers should know, including dealer licensing regulations, title transfer procedures, payment of sales tax, vehicle inventory tax, and general consumer law.
2. Automobile Liens
a. TIADA opposes any legislative change that would adversely impact a vehicle lien holder’s rights in a vehicle, or that would place other claimants in a superior position to that of the lien holder.
b. TIADA supports legislation that would place a prior, perfected mortgage lien in a superior position to a mechanic’s lien.
c. TIADA opposes any measure that would take away or impede the ability of an independent dealer to recover collateral in which the dealer has a valid security interest as a lien holder.
3. Curbstoners
a. TIADA supports legislation that would allow and encourage government agencies to more aggressively enforce curbstoning laws (i.e. vehicles placed for sale on the side of the road).
4. Industry Relations
a. TIADA supports having a position for an independent dealer on the governing body of any agency that regulates the independent automobile dealer industry.
5. Taxes and Fees
a. TIADA supports fair and equitable taxation policies that do not create an undue burden on the industry.
b. TIADA supports measures that would increase the efficiency of tax collection processes.
c. TIADA supports a fiscally conservative approach to the mandatory fee structures imposed by regulatory agencies.
d. TIADA supports a restructuring of the penalties associated with delinquent vehicle inventory tax payments.
6. Automobile Titling
a. TIADA supports an approach to streamlining and modernizing the title application and issuance process that increases efficiency and does not impede commerce.
7. Surety Bond
a. TIADA supports a reasonable surety bond that is responsive to the needs of the industry and provides adequate protection.
8. Vehicle Inspections
a. TIADA supports updating inspection laws to ensure inspections are only required when there is a public benefit.
9. Credit Card Fees
a. TIADA supports the ability of dealers to charge a reasonable convenience fee on credit or debit card payments.
