Dyana Takes on DC!
During the week of June 4, 2023, CalOHA’s President & CEO Dyana Kelley attended RVs Move America week in Washington, DC.The RV Industry Association (RVIA) hosted RVs Move America week in Washington, DC last week. The three-day event kicked off with two days of committee meetings followed by an advocacy day. Dyana Kelley, our President and CEO, had the opportunity to attend public & legislative affairs, sustainability, and membership & supplier committee meetings, among others.
On Wednesday, Dyana marched on to capitol hill, where she met with representatives from California, Oregon, and Washington to promote four prominent issues within our industry.
America’s Outdoor Recreation Act
Without safe and adequate campgrounds, we severely hamper the $140 billion American-made RV industry. This landmark legislation addresses longstanding maintenance backlogs negatively impacting public lands, including roads and campgrounds that RVers rely on every day.
The RVIA asked for support in outdoor recreation legislation and an outdoor recreation package as it comes together.
Farm Bill
Outdoor Recreation in rural communities is a significant driver for economic development, growth, and resiliency across the country.
Legislation to reauthorize federal agriculture programs every five years provides an opportunity to help rural communities respond to increased demand for outdoor recreation by providing technical assistance and funding. Additionally, the Farm Bill provides an opportunity to ensure that the US Forest Service is accounting for outdoor recreation in their strategic planning.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Competitive Need Limitations (CNL)
The RV industry relies on the GSP to import very thin plywood used in most RVs from Indonesia, duty free. Unfortunately, the program expired in December 2020 and the industry is currently burdened by import duties while also facing issues related to inflation.
In recent history, this program has been renewed for a brief period of three years. The RVIA believes this should be at least 6 years.
CNLs are built-in import ceilings under the GSP program that eliminate duty-free access to the U.S. market for products that exceed them, even if there is no domestic alternative or concerns that imports harm a U.S. industry. GSP benefits are terminated when imports of a certain product from a certain country either account for 50% or more of the value of total US imports of that product or exceed a certain dollar value.
The RVIA asked representatives for support to modernize CNLs by increasing the dollar threshold by a value that matches inflation and removing the volume limitation for products that are only available in a limited geographic area.
Dealer Floor Plan Interest Deduction/Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act
The current definition of “motor vehicle” in the federal tax code inequitably impacts certain segments of the RV industry. While dealer inventory financing interest charges on motorhomes remains fully deductible, since 2017 towable RVs have been limited to deductions of only 30% of interest expenses.
This RV motorhome/towable distinction is unfair, and the unintended disparity becomes more problematic as interest rates increase.
Overall, RVs Move America week was a successful week full of networking, committee meetings, and advocacy efforts.