The Tire Industry Association (TIA) used its annual meeting, held alongside the Global Tire Expo at the 2026 SEMA Show, to back state laws targeting illegal tire dumping, launch a consumer tire safety website and hand over its presidency.

Push for state end-of-life tire laws

The TIA Board of Directors unanimously passed an End-of-Life Tire State Legislation Resolution. It backs state legislation that promotes responsible tire recycling, tackles illegal dumping and protects consumers and legitimate businesses.

TIA wants such laws to include:

A system documenting end-of-life tires through transportation, processing and final markets
Strong penalties for illegal dumping, improper disposal and other unlawful activity involving scrap tires
A state scrap tire environmental fee, shown separately on the retail tire invoice, with proceeds reserved for authorized recycling, municipal cleanup, market development, consumer education and enforcement

The association says it will encourage state legislatures and regulators to review the resolution and work with stakeholders and policymakers on state-specific solutions.

Tire Safety Starts Here

TIA also launched Tire Safety Starts Here, a consumer website covering inflation, rotation, repairs and tread depth. It includes safety videos, among them a new TIA video, "Tire Safety Starts with Tread Depth," plus resources from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and participating tire makers. Dealers can share the site with customers, and TIA has created a printable flyer with a QR code for display in stores.

Training update

TIA also confirmed that TIA Online University will move to the Today's Class platform in early 2027, a change Traction News covered in TIA Online U moves to Today's Class. TIA says details on access, enrollment and pricing will follow closer to the transition.

New leadership

Russ Devens, director of safety and risk management at McCarthy Tire Service Co., passed the gavel to Gary MacCausland, chief officer of store operations at VIP Tires and Service, who is TIA's 2026-27 president. The 2026-27 Executive Committee includes Gary Schroeder of Bob Sumerel Tire Co. as vice president, Josephine Foley as secretary, T.J. Trum of Pomp's Tire Service as treasurer, and Devens.

Kelsey Jarman of ESTI and Jason Rook of the Independent Tire Dealers Group were elected to the board for the first time, while Craig Stevens of Big Horn Tire and Adam Moffatt of the Tire Dealers Association of Canada were reelected. Outgoing board members Debra Hamlin, a past TIA president, and Glen Nicholson were thanked for their service.

More from the association is at Tire Industry Association.

Tagged: Russ Devens

TIA Backs State Scrap Tire Laws, Launches Consumer Safety Site and Names New President