Advocating for Pennsylvania’s Trucking Industry
Advocacy is at the heart of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. Every day, PMTA works to ensure that Pennsylvania’s trucking industry has a strong, unified voice in Harrisburg and beyond. PMTA is actively engaged in shaping policies that keep members moving — from securing sustainable transportation funding and expanding truck parking, to fighting lawsuit and towing abuse, protecting independent contractors, and promoting fair, practical emissions standards. Through direct engagement with lawmakers, service on state task forces, and collaboration with industry partners, PMTA is driving real change on the issues that matter most to carriers, drivers, and the businesses that support them.
Our Key Issues
- Transportation Funding
PMTA is leading efforts to ensure that Pennsylvania’s transportation system is properly funded to support safe, efficient freight movement. We advocate for long-term, sustainable funding solutions that prioritize highway maintenance, bridge repair, and infrastructure improvements critical to the trucking industry. - Truck Parking
Safe, accessible truck parking is essential for drivers and highway safety. PMTA serves on PennDOT’s Truck Parking Task Force and works with regional planning organizations to expand parking capacity statewide. We also support legislation that incentivizes investment in new parking facilities. - Lawsuit Abuse
Pennsylvania’s trucking companies face rising costs due to excessive and unfair litigation. PMTA is pushing for legal reforms that bring balance to the system, including the repeal of the “seat belt gag rule” and other commonsense measures that promote fairness and reduce predatory lawsuits. - Towing Abuse
PMTA’s Towing Abuse Subcommittee is working to end exploitative towing practices that take advantage of truckers and carriers. We’re advocating for legislation that brings transparency, accountability, and reasonable rate standards to heavy-duty towing in Pennsylvania. - Emissions and Environmental Policy
PMTA supports realistic, achievable environmental standards that protect both the planet and the people who keep freight moving. We’re advocating for Pennsylvania to adopt policies that promote cleaner trucks without imposing California’s CARB mandates, and we back incentives that encourage near-zero and low-emission technologies, including newer diesel trucks. - Improving the Business Climate for Trucking
By fighting burdensome regulations, PMTA works to create a fair, competitive business environment for our members. We’re also advocating for practical updates to insurance requirements and commonsense approaches to issues like marijuana legalization. - Independent Contractor Rights
The independent contractor model is vital to the trucking industry. PMTA is committed to protecting drivers’ right to operate as independent businesses and opposing legislation that would undermine owner-operators’ flexibility and livelihoods.