AEM Identifies Key Public Policy Initiatives for 2006

March 31, 2006 — The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) recently released the public policy initiatives it will advance in 2006 at the international, federal, and state/provincial levels.

 

A major international initiative is support of free trade agreements that give U.S. manufacturers fair market access to global business. At the federal level AEM will address issues including adequate infrastructure funding and a balanced farm bill. State/provincial-oriented concerns include agricultural equipment lighting and marking regulations to enhance safety.

 

In the global arena, AEM is a longtime supporter of free trade agreements (FTAs) that reduce or eliminate tariffs on American exports, allowing U.S. companies to remain competitive in the international marketplace. In addition to FTA promotion, the association supports efforts to expand international protection of intellectual property rights and World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations to reduce tariffs on manufactured goods in WTO-member countries. AEM is also working to increase U.S. government awareness of the negative effects of its current visa policies on American business.

 

A key federal issue is infrastructure funding, and AEM is interacting directly with Congressional members and through industry coalitions to advocate full funding under transportation reauthorization legislation (SAFETEA-LU). The association also advocates additional “clean water” and aviation infrastructure funding to meet current and future needs.

 

Other AEM federal legislative priorities include:

• Raising awareness of continued steel pricing and availability issues,
• Supporting “association health plan (AHP)” legislation to allow affordable pooled health care for small and medium-size businesses,
• Advocating permanent repeal of the estate (or “death”) tax so smaller businesses can plan for the future with more certainty, and
• Supporting product liability/tort and asbestos litigation reform.

 

On the state/provincial level, AEM continues to address legislation related to dealer-manufacturer contracts. The association is also leading a nationwide effort to harmonize farm machinery lighting and marking standards to make the machines more visible when they travel over the road. The goal is for state regulations to reflect the most up-to-date standards in this area (S 279) developed by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).