At HFA’s recent all-staff strategy meeting, one of the issues we discussed was policy issues that affect our members and the industry as a whole, and what HFA advocacy teams are doing about laws that could cause harm. There was a need to always be informed about what was going on. industry. HFA is proud of its advocacy record, but we want to make sure that the work we do on the ground and why it’s so important is important to us, not just to U.S. corporate interests, but to our members around the world. I felt that I needed to make more of an effort to convey my message.
For us, effective advocacy involves not only legislators and regulators, but also allies, especially HFA members. The heightened awareness as a result of the pandemic has naturally waned since the world returned to a more stable and recognizable business order. However, threats are always present and the future cannot be predicted.
One of the biggest lessons the industry has learned during the pandemic is not to wait for a crisis to occur before engaging with policymakers. One of the core missions of the HFA Advocacy Team is to inform, educate, and mobilize members to mobilize in grassroots movements.
We have received tremendous support from many HFA members, who continue to maintain their own contacts with state and federal legislators, contribute to HFA PAC, and participate in our annual fly-in to Washington, D.C. . But even our less politically active members need to know what the HFA Advocacy Team is doing for them.
That’s why we’ve taken the initiative to provide more frequent updates and reports on important issues and the actions we’re taking.
Today, we released the 2024 State Advocacy Report: Strengthening the Industry through Strategic Engagement. In this report, you’ll learn about the issues we track, the reasons behind our positions on these issues, and why we continue to be successful in our industry.
HFA is proud of its 48-1 track record in blocking or amending state laws. This should give HFA members confidence that their dues are paying off.
state situation
It’s no surprise that much of the work we do is in partnership with state legislatures. Seventy percent of our advocacy focus is on protecting and promoting the industry at the state level. As previously explained, state legislatures are incubators for many policy ideas that end up in the U.S. Congress. This is because laws are easier to introduce and pass at the state level and tend to be less visible.
Nothing gets our attention here at HFA. I’m working on it. As we continue to build our foundation in Washington, D.C. for a strong future of industry engagement and positioning, state initiatives often impact industry revenue.
In 2024, HFA conducted research to track more than 1,000 bills in 20 states and determine whether these bills had a positive or negative impact on the industry. Once we recognized the need to block, advance, and amend legislation, we mobilized grassroots advocates. At the same time, we spoke directly with legislators and, in some cases, directly with HFA members who own businesses in the area. In 2024, he met with more than 100 state legislators. (HFA was represented at many of these meetings by Charles Regnante, HFA’s Government Affairs Manager.) We also work with state lobbyists and other industry allies to ensure that our We plan to provide support.
The main issues we addressed (and probably continue to address) are:
automatic update
Click to cancel
price transparency
Data privacy protection
Ban on cashless retail stores
Consumption tax on membership rights
Release of liability
Our report explains why these issues are so important to the industry and why we oppose these bills in their entirety or work with legislators to amend them.
emphasize the positive
It’s not necessarily just about tackling harmful laws. Part of our advocacy mission is to promote policies and laws that improve safety, service, and access to facilities and fitness services.
In 2024, HFA supported legislation that would address liability protection for AEDs, subsidies for fitness facilities, and tax credits for military members who are members of fitness facilities. In Pennsylvania, a bill we supported would provide National Guard, Reserve, and active-duty military members with a $600 credit to use at the fitness facility of their choice. This bill passed, and other bills have been proposed in many more states.
It is also important that HFA is seen as proactive in the area of consumer protection. The bills that HFA opposes may be well-intentioned, but given the realities on the ground, these bills fall short and may actually harm consumers. For example, “click to cancel” may sound good in theory, but how such policies are implemented in today’s complex digital and other real-world settings. If not considered, these bills will harm not only businesses but also the customers they serve. .
Next year, we will provide more resources and communications to focus on active advocacy. We also plan to update state regulations for fitness facilities to ensure clarity, certainty, and uniformity across the country. This helps protect businesses that expand across state lines and may face unexpected burdens and costs.
Stay informed and engaged
Although the 2024 State Advocacy Report focuses only on the United States, HFA is committed to its global advocacy mission. We know that the policies we are taking up in statehouses will eventually be adopted or have already been adopted in other countries. That’s why this report and nearly all of our advocacy work in the United States is so relevant to our members around the world.
This leads to a key part of successful advocacy for any industry association. The HFA policy team cannot do it alone. Our members must participate and support our advocacy efforts.
At HFA, we are fortunate to have many of our members actively participating and playing an important role in our advocacy efforts. All 15 industry leaders in the National Health & Fitness Alliance (NHFA) volunteer their time to do important work that supports the industry as a whole. As HFA’s policy committee, NHFA will lead in updating language to better reflect current business practices and promote uniformity across states across the country.
But we also need a grassroots army to support us. This is not only important to HFA’s advocacy work, but it also empowers ordinary people to take back power. It may seem difficult to be involved in the system, but you have a voice. Work with us and let’s roar!
Download the report
