RTO Legislative Activity - APRO's Legislative Conference

APRO’s 2009 Dave Egan Legislative Conference is scheduled for April 21-23 in Washington, D.C., at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.

After 16 years of representing the rent-to-own industry before the U.S. Congress, APRO's annual legislative conference is the legislative event of the year. APRO's Legislative Conference is where hundreds of rent-to-own dealers, employees and vendors unite on Capitol Hill to tell the rent-to-own story.

The face-to-face meetings in Congressional offices with members and staff who directly handle rent-to-own legislation has been the key to preventing detrimental legislative. These Hill meetings have been the success in defeating negative rent-to-own legislation that would cripple the industry while generating support and movement of the industry supported federal legislation - The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreeement Act.

The 2009 Congress has created potentially dangerous circumstances for the rent-to-own industry. The additional power U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has gained in the Senate provides greater power and leverage to pass his Rent-to-own Reform Act crippling the rent-to-own industry. With more than 30 new members of Congress, rent-to-own congressional grassroots support is already at a disadvantage as dealers must educate a new group of Congress members and their staff regarding the rent-to-own industry and federal legislation.

Add the fact that the current economic crises centered around consumer debt could force rent-to-own legislation in the national spotlight and consumer regulatory debate. President Barak Obama and Congressional leaders have publicly stated they will address consumer transactions with regulatory reform confirming the rent-to-own industry is potentially in the most dangerous congressional environment in the industry's history.

In contrast to the potentially negative climate, APRO members have the opportunity to take advantage of the grassroots momentum and support dealers have generated for 16 years. Last session, APRO members broke records of congressional support with 100 House sponsors and 22 Senate sponsors during the 2007-2008 session. APRO members and the RTO industry have much to be proud of while having their work cut out for them in the upcoming 111th Congress.

Both House sponsor - Representative William Lacy Clay - and Senate sponsor -  Senator Mary Landrieu - have gained additional power helping the rent-to-own industry's representation. While the push for regulatory reform centered around consumer debt could be potentially dangerous, the omnibus bill also provides an opportunity to include the industry supported Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act.

Rep. Clay and Sen. Landrieu have already agreed to re-introduce The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act and Congress will look to APRO small business owners for their continued support. Rep. Clay and Sen. Landrieu are calling on all rent-to-own owners, employees and vendors to attend APRO's 2009 Legislative Conference to generate support for the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act.

Register Now.

Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Call 202/484-1000 and ask for the APRO Room Rate of $269/night for single or double. Hotel Reservation Deadline is March 16.

For more information about the APRO Legislative Conference, contact Jeannie Hutchison at 800/204-2776, ext. 108.