Great progress in 2019 propels momentum into the new year

For the Turo Government Relations team, 2019 was a whirlwind of legislation and advocacy in 37 states on the part of our community of users.  We are thrilled with the success we’ve had this year including defeating all attempts at characterizing peer-to-peer car sharing as rental car. Four more states have added statutory definitions of peer-to-peer car sharing, and while some markets may have a little more complexity, we are proud of protecting our customers’ ability to share their cars and earn a little extra money.

While most of the legislative activity occurred in the first half of 2019, the second half also saw its share of excitement in the form of model legislation.  

Here’s a little background:

While Turo’s Government Relations managers advocate directly with lawmakers in their state capitols, we also work with organizations of these lawmakers who share information and best practices.  You’ve probably seen blog posts and photos of our GR managers attending events for the National Conference of State Legislators, for example.

Part of our strategy is to work with these lawmaker groups and demonstrate that the best way to regulate peer-to-peer car sharing is to consider the unique nature of the industry and the transaction. Regulations should be tailored to the specifics of that industry, not just a cut-and-paste of regulations that apply to the rental car industry.

Two major legislator organizations adopted Turo model legislation in 2019 

We are very pleased to share that two major lawmaker groups adopted the Turo-approved draft legislation as the recommended model for regulating peer-to-peer car sharing.  The Council of State Governments (CSG) included Indiana HB 1362, legislation based on the model language which was enacted in 2019, in their Suggested State Legislation docket.  The docket is a collection of enacted legislation from the previous year that CSG believes represents the best concepts around regulating a wide range of industries and issues. And less than two weeks later the National Council of Insurance Legislators adopted the peer-to-peer car sharing coalition draft legislation as their recommended model for the nation’s insurance lawmakers.

Two major legislator groups’ adoption of this model legislation will be an excellent tool in advocating for our community in 2020, as Turo expects to face ongoing battles nationwide in the upcoming months. 

John A. Heath and fello Turo Colleagues representing Turo and Techconnect

Ethan Wilson representing Turo at NCOIL meeting

Kinza Malik, Samantha Erickson, and Jessica Roey at the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference

Turo’s Pablo Benavente and Lou Bertuca representing Turo in New Orleans, LA

Michelle Peacock and Team Turo hosting the European Delegation at Turo HQ