Editor’s Note: This article was written by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (National ARVC) for its Advocacy Blog.
Time is flying by as we are now at the six-month mark of 2023, and fly in we did, in the first week of June to Washington, D.C. with a very focused National ARVC delegation for meetings with nearly 50 key Members of Congress and their staff on the “Hill.” We also joined our partners at the RV Industry Association for the annual RVs Move America week. National ARVC focused on advocating specifically for support for the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023, sponsorship and reintroduction of legislation for a cure period for web ADA compliance and inclusion of EV infrastructure funding for the outdoor hospitality sector.
There is a lot going on, such as the re-introduction of the Credit Card Competition Act of 2023 in the U.S. Senate and House. This legislation would create competition in the credit card processing market, giving owners choices to help them with the rapidly rising “swipe fees” charged to small businesses that accept credit cards. As always, we will keep you in the loop as these bills move through the various committees. But what else is going on? This issue of AHA! will make sense of a few of the most important and often complicated legislative issues that are relevant to you and the work we’re doing.
THE W’S
Wins That Are Worth Bragging About
Advocacy Day 2023 Was Bigger and Better Than Ever
It was actually more than just 24 hours, it was a whole week of advocacy on Capitol Hill this year! The National ARVC delegation, accompanied by its RVIA partners, participates in Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. every year. This event serves as an opportunity to tackle significant challenges that impact businesses in the outdoor hospitality industry.
“We have been doing this trip for years, with much success, but this year we wanted to elevate our game,” said Paul Bambei, president and CEO. “We have made huge strides in the past on national issues affecting our industry, including most recently ensuring status for RV parks and campgrounds as ‘essential business’ in the eyes of the federal government.”
Details of the industry issues addressed:
- Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023:
National ARVC emphasized the devastating impact of estate taxes on small, family-owned businesses, stating that these taxes force them to sell family assets and compromise the American Dream. The organization highlighted the urgent need for a permanent repeal of the estate tax to help these businesses thrive. By supporting Senate Bill 1108, National ARVC aims to empower small businesses, facilitate job creation, expand operations and stimulate the nation’s economy.
- Fair Legislation for ADA Compliance:
Recognizing the burden imposed by serial lawsuits related to ADA Title III compliance, National ARVC called for fair, common-sense, legislation that allows businesses to resolve compliance issues before facing legal repercussions. National ARVC believes that removing barriers to accessibility, as intended by the ADA, should take precedence over litigation.
- Expanding America’s EV Charging Network:
National ARVC emphasized the vital role that private RV parks and campgrounds can play in expanding the country’s EV charging infrastructure. Given their strategic locations along highways, rural areas, and gateway communities to public lands, these private establishments are well-positioned to support the Biden administration’s goal of building a national network of 500,000 EV chargers. National ARVC proposed a pilot program, involving public-private partnerships, to install EV chargers in publicly accessible locations at private RV parks and campgrounds. They called on officials to consider partnering and leveraging public and private funding to install 100 EV chargers at 50 select locations in 2024, with the program expanding to 1,000 installations nationwide in 2025.
THE STATE OF THE STATES
Legislative Updates from Our State Executives
Arizona (AZ ARVC)
It’s been a busy session in Arizona — and the legislature is still in session. Again, it’s the bills that are probably not going pass that are often the most important.
These included:
Source of Income: If this had passed, a property owner could not discriminate against a possible tenant due to the tenant’s source of income. If the person is receiving any sort of local, state or federal funds (including unemployment) that qualifies them to rent the property, the property owner must accept them.
Rent Control Bills: There were five bills regarding controlling rent on different types of properties; luckily, it appears none of them will pass.
Tenants’ Use of Marijuana: Although the federal law still states the use of marijuana is illegal, it is legal to sell it in Arizona. This was a proposed law prohibiting a landlord from evicting a tenant due to the tenant’s use of marijuana.
Bills that did pass and were signed by the Governor:
Due in large part to three parks closing in Phoenix (one of which had several RV’s), the amount of the money a park model RV owner can receive from the state Relocation Fund when a park closes to help pay for moving their home was increased from $4,000 to $6,000. If they choose not to move the home, they can sign over a free and clear title to the landlord and receive $2,400 cash from the fund. This was signed with an emergency clause and was retroactive to the date the residents in those three parks received their 180-day notice of park closure so they are entitled to this increased amount.
Small business taxes: The tax rate on Arizona small business taxable income is reduced to 2.5% beginning with 2023 (previously was 2.8%).
Bills not yet passed, but still being considered:
Requirement to Accept Cash: As originally written, this bill would have required any business with an office in Arizona to accept cash for payment unless they had a written contract with a customer stating the type of payment they would accept. This would have meant that if about 20 to 30 guests came in on a Friday and all paid for one month in cash, a manager could be holding over $10,000 in cash over the weekend. When you go to deposit over $10.000 cash, there is paperwork to be completed at the bank. Luckily many different businesses fought this and, if it passes, the bill presently states you only have to accept up to $100 in cash for any transaction.
To read the full blog posting, including a wide range of state updates, click here.
