Arkansas Trucking Association

The Power of Association

Arkansas Trucking Association

What is the Arkansas Trucking Association?

Established in 1932, the Arkansas Trucking Association is owned by trucking companies and private carrier fleets (as well as important suppliers to the industry) from one-truck operations to some of the nation's largest trucking companies. They understand that we are working together to build a pro-business, pro-trucking climate in which to operate.

Our Mission

Protect the collective interests of trucking companies in the political and regulatory arenas. Promote the dynamics of trucking so that people have a better understanding of the link between America's primary freight delivery system and the standard of living they enjoy. Serve our members to help them to grow their business and their profits.

Governmental Affairs

Why it is important to you

Your firewall- Arkansas Trucking Association is your only firewall to prevent a bad idea from becoming a bad law. Every year, ATA represents your interests in scores of meetings, hearings, legislative committee meetings, task forces, state agency meetings, etc.

The Arkansas Trucking Association is currently working on or monitoring the following issues:

Hours-of-Service Changes ● Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) ● Electronic On-board Recorders (electronic logging) ● Arkansas Highway Funding Legislation ● Status of Owner Operators for Workers Compensation and Payroll Tax Purposes ● Federal Transportation Reauthorization Legislation ● Vehicle Mileage Taxes ● Public Private Partnerships to Lease and Toll Highways ● Weight Distance Tax ● Protecting Tort Reform Laws ● Pursuing Anti-Indemnification laws ● Driver Distraction Laws ● Protecting the Sales Tax Cap on Tractors and Semi-Trailers ● Entry-Level Driver Training ● Certified Medical Examiner Registry ● OSHA Reform and Regulation ● Driver Medical Qualification Standards ● State and Federal Highway Law Enforcement Policies ● Truck Size and Weight Laws ● Hazardous Materials Regulations ● TWIC Identification Cards ● International Truck Border Crossing ● Health Care Reform ● Cap & Trade ● Carbon Tax ● Tax Credits for Anti-Idling Devices ● Maximum Truck Speed Limits ● Speed Governors ● Fuel Economy Standards ● Biodiesel Mandates ● Higher State and Federal Registration Fees ● Labor Legislation ● And more...

Just a few of ATA's money saving legislative and regulatory victories:

  • Convinced Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration officials in 2014 to reverse their position regarding the taxation of extended warranties on tax-exempt commercial trucks, saving fleets registering their equipment in Arkansas hundreds of thousands of dollars in erroneous taxes.
  • Passed legislation in 2013 defining owner operators as independent contractors and allowing them to obtain workers' compensation insurance from motor carriers to which they are leased without jeopardizing their independent status, striking the best balance between industry and owner-operator interests.
  • Passed the "Commercial Truck Safety and education Fund Act of 2013," sponsored by Sen. Keith Ingram (D-West Memphis). The legislation appropriates $2 million from an increase on  taxes paid by companies with interstate commerce to establish the Commercial Truck Safety and Education Fund.
  • Supported congress in passing a federal mandate in 2012 to require electronic on-board recorders in all commercial trucks to verify the number of hours a truck driver has operated his/her vehicle.
  • Successfully urged the U.S. Congress in 2012 to compel the creation of a national drug and alcohol clearinghouse to list all persons who test positive on a pre-employment drug exam to become a commercial truck driver.
  • In 2011, successfully lobbied the Arkansas General Assembly to fully exempt from state sales tax the purchase price of new and used large trucks and semi-trailers that  are engaged in interstate commerce (a savings of $23 million per year from Arkansas trucking companies).
  • In 2009, a delegation of ATA executives held the first private meeting between trucking executives and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.
  • In 2007, ATA lobbied to change state law to require voter approval before a county or group of counties can toll an existing highway.
  • Convinced voters in 2005 to reject a proposal giving highway commissioners the authority to obligate fuel taxes to more than $500 million of debt without another vote of the people.
  • Defeated a vote in 2000 against a weight distance tax proposal in the Senate, saving the industry more than $30 million annually.
  • Mounted a statewide effort in 1998 against an application by the highway commission to toll 333 miles of Arkansas' interstate highways. Amid pressure from ATA, the commission rescinded the plan, saving trucking companies more than $800 million in toll fees between 2002-2016.
  • In 1995, convinced voters to reject a multi-billion dollar highway bond program that would have levied more than $15 million in new taxes and fees each year, that's more than $200 million in savings and counting.
  • Defeated five separate legislative bills between 1994 and 2005 to increase the state diesel tax, saving millions annually.

Contact Us

Arkansas Trucking Association
PO Box 3476 (72203)
1401 West Capitol Ave.
Suite 185
Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 372-3462 | Phone
(501) 376-1810 | Fax

Our Mission

  • PROTECT the collective interests of trucking companies in the political and regulatory arenas.
  • PROMOTE the dynamics of trucking so that people have a better understanding of the link between America's primary freight delivery system and the standard of living they enjoy.
  • SERVE our members to help them to grow their business and their profits
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