Trucking industry scores big

I recently started watching “Survivor” … again. Season 48 is airing now, and though I stopped watching about 40 seasons ago, as a mom of teenagers, I’ll do just about anything to spend time with them — even if it means diving back into a decades-old reality show.

What began as quality time quickly turned into genuine fascination. The game isn’t just about strength or popularity — it’s strategy, adaptability, timing, and knowing when to lead or lay low. Watching contestants navigate alliances and twists reminded me of another environment I know well: the Arkansas State Capitol.

The 95th General Assembly was, in many ways, its own kind of “Survivor” season. The trucking industry entered with a focused agenda and a clear game plan, knowing success would take more than strong arguments. Some efforts required a direct push. Others called for patience, alliances and a long game. By session’s end, we had navigated the twists of the legislative process and emerged with several key wins — each critical to promoting safety, fairness, and long-term success for our industry.

One of our most important victories was the passage of a long-sought tort reform measure. For years, the trucking industry has borne the weight of inflated damage awards far beyond actual costs. Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, and Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, HB1204 finally ended the awarding of phantom damages. This reform brings much-needed fairness to the civil justice system, ensuring that compensation reflects real economic losses — not exaggerated figures aimed at inflating settlements.

We also scored a major win in our efforts to combat cargo theft and freight fraud — crimes that have grown increasingly sophisticated and costly. With support from Attorney General Tim Griffin, we passed legislation that strengthens definitions and increases penalties specifically for commercial cargo theft. These legal tools will help law enforcement hold criminals accountable. Just as importantly, the legislation draws broader attention to the scope of the problem, helping build support for continued action. It reinforces Arkansas’ commitment to protecting commerce and securing the supply chains that businesses and consumers rely on.

Protecting the integrity of commercial driver’s license (CDL) standards was another top priority. Legislation sponsored by Rep. R.J. Hawk, R-Bryant, and Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, addresses the emerging issue of fraudulent foreign CDLs. It criminalizes the use of false documentation and enforces federal English proficiency requirements. By upholding high standards for training and testing, we’re prioritizing public safety and safeguarding the professionalism of our workforce.

Finally, the General Assembly addressed long-standing concerns around predatory towing. The Arkansas Trucking Association was pleased to see that reforms in HB2001 by Rep. Stetson Painter, R-Mountain Home, and Sen. Hammer included changes to the tow board’s composition to add trucking representation, clearer communication on how to appeal or file complaints, and a new process to allow freight to be released to shippers in specific situations. These changes offer carriers greater protection and clarity.

As the dust settles on the 95th General Assembly, we’re proud of what we achieved. We came in with purpose, executed the plan and came out stronger. Legislative success doesn’t come from one strategy alone. Sometimes you lead; other times you wait, build alliances and choose your moment. That’s the game. And this year, the Arkansas trucking industry played it well.

Editor’s note: Shannon Newton is the president of the Arkansas Trucking Association. The opinions expressed are those of the author.