U.S. TIRE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION EMPHASIZE INDUSTRY’S 2024 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE 118TH CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, February 26, 2024 – In a letter to Congressional leadership, the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) emphasized its legislative focus for 2024, advocating for policies that enhance road safety, tire innovation, environmental stewardship and domestic jobs in manufacturing. The current priorities outlined in the letter underscore the need for continued cooperation so that the U.S. tire manufacturing sector is best positioned to address future challenges including the urgent need to modernize outdated regulations that hinder innovation, the need to grow jobs in the manufacturing sector, and the need to work collaboratively to advance solutions to complex environmental challenges.

“Tires support almost every facet of our mobile society and the members of USTMA urge Congress to promptly address several high-priority issues,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. “Technological advancements in mobility and complex environmental challenges are advancing at rapid rates, and federal action is needed to ensure that laws and regulations keep pace with the needs of both the industry and consumers. We reaffirm our commitment to work with Congress and the Biden Administration to advance the important solutions laid out in our Congressional correspondence.”

The six policy areas identified in the letter to Congressional leadership by USTMA and its members include: 

• New rules from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for consumer tire information and performance standards and modernization of tire testing regulations;
• The expansion of sustainable and circular infrastructure solutions for scrap tires;
• Research to identify mitigation solutions for roadway runoff to protect stormwater; 
• Creation of domestic manufacturing jobs for production of retreated tires and promoting their use for commercial vehicles;
• Ensuring fair, equal and standardized access to digital vehicle data and infrastructure assets; and 
• Developing domestic sources of sustainable natural rubber.

As part of ongoing engagement with legislators in Congress, USTMA’s Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors from its 12 member companies will visit Capitol Hill later this year to engage with Congressional offices on these industry priorities and the promotion of National Tire Safety Week.