Texas Automotive Recyclers Association

November 2025 NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Message from the President

As we near the close of 2024, I’ve taken some time to reflect on the past ten months and the tremendous progress your state association has achieved. It’s been a year of meaningful movement, strong advocacy, and significant wins for our industry.

One of our biggest accomplishments was advancing the No-Title Bill, which will make it easier for all of us to purchase early model vehicles. Our Legislative Committee, together with our lobbyist CJ Tredway, worked tirelessly to ensure the bill reached the Senate for approval — and I’m proud to report that it will take effect January 1, 2026.

TARA also continued to stand strong for the rights of UAPRs. We opposed OEM-

proposed legislation that would have restricted our ability to sell late-model used parts for collision repair facilities. Additionally, we were active participants in shaping catalytic converter legislation — an issue that was front and center just a year ago. And, as always, we remain steadfast in protecting our right to sell safe, quality used tires.

Your membership dues make all this possible — they’re truly the best investment in our industry’s future. Our Board of Directors is made up entirely of volunteers, and I couldn’t be prouder to serve alongside such a dedicated group of professionals who champion our cause every day.

Our Annual Conference and Trade Show in San Antonio was another huge success! We couldn’t have pulled off this incredible event without our amazing sponsors! So let me give a big Texas SHOUT OUT to all of them for their support and partnership!

The attendance was outstanding, our educational sessions were well-received, and our vendors were second to none.

A heartfelt thank-you goes to our new Executive Director, Meridith Owens, for her leadership and hard work in making this year’s event one of our best ever.

On behalf of TARA, thank you to all our members whose commitment keeps our

association strong and effective — allowing us to remain the voice of auto recyclers in the great state of Texas. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president in 2024.

Let’s make a deal — let’s move TARA from GOOD to GREAT! With your continued support, we can make TARA stronger than ever.

Blessings to all and Happy Thanksgiving!

Jay Roberts

President

We would like to WELCOME our newest Board Member

Jason Howell

Jason is the General Manager at All Import Auto Parts in Fort Worth. He brings over 15 years of experience in the automotive recycling industry to the TARA board. As a manager of a successful salvage yard, Jason combines in-depth industry knowledge with a passion for delivering exceptional customer service. Throughout his career, he has focused on improving operational efficiency, developing in-house training programs, and elevating customer service standards. As a passionate advocate for the industry, Jason is committed to advancing professional standards, promoting sustainable recycling practices, and supporting the success of independent recyclers across Texas. His hands-on experience and leadership perspective will contribute to TARA’s mission of strengthening the voice and impact of automotive recyclers statewide.

Green Steel and Auto Recycling: Why Scrap Metal Matters in the Carbon Race

As automakers and governments race toward carbon neutrality, one unlikely hero has emerged in the fight against climate change: scrap metal. Long considered a byproduct of industry, recycled steel from auto recyclers is now being recognized as a powerful tool for reducing emissions, conserving energy, and driving a more circular economy.

♻️ Steel: The Backbone of Every Vehicle

Steel makes up nearly 65% of the average vehicle’s weight, providing strength, safety, and durability. But producing new (or “virgin”) steel is energy-intensive—responsible for roughly 7–9% of global CO₂ emissions. Each ton of steel made from raw iron ore generates nearly two tons of carbon dioxide.

That’s where auto recyclers step in. When vehicles reach the end of their life, recyclers recover the steel, remove contaminants, and send the metal to mills where it can be melted down and reused. This process saves up to 74% of the energy required to produce new steel—and drastically cuts emissions in the process.

🌍 The Carbon Advantage of Recycled Steel

Every ton of steel recycled prevents:

2,500 pounds of iron ore from being mined,
1,400 pounds of coal from being burned, and
120 pounds of limestone from being extracted.

According to the World Steel Association, global steel recycling reduces CO₂ emissions by more than 950 million tons each year—the equivalent of taking 200 million cars off the road.

By supplying high-quality scrap to mills, auto recyclers are a critical link in this low-carbon supply chain.

🏭 Automakers Are Going Green — and They Need Recycled Steel

Major automakers have made ambitious sustainability pledges:

Ford aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, with increased use of recycled materials in every vehicle.
GM and Stellantis are exploring closed-loop systems, recycling old car parts into new vehicle components.
Volvo and BMW have partnered with “green steel” producers using electric arc furnaces (EAFs), which rely heavily on scrap metal instead of raw ore.

These EAF mills can reduce emissions by up to 60% compared to traditional blast furnaces, but they only work efficiently when supplied with clean, consistent scrap—exactly what professional auto recyclers provide.

🔧 Auto Recyclers: The Hidden Players in the Circular Economy

Auto recyclers don’t just dismantle vehicles—they close the loop. From depolluting fluids and recovering parts to preparing clean scrap for mills, recyclers ensure that old cars become raw materials for new ones.

By diverting millions of tons of steel each year from landfills and returning it to production, recyclers help automakers meet sustainability targets, reduce mining impacts, and conserve natural resources.

It’s a system that benefits everyone:

Automakers reduce costs and emissions.
Communities see less waste and pollution.
Consumers can feel good knowing their old vehicles are reborn as part of the next generation of cleaner cars.

⚙️ Driving Toward a Cleaner Future

As the global demand for “green steel” grows, so does the importance of the auto recycling industry. Each crushed, processed, and melted-down vehicle represents a step toward a more sustainable automotive future.

In the race to decarbonize manufacturing, scrap isn’t waste—it’s the fuel for change.

Congratulations Lance Thomas

Honoring a Visionary in Automotive Recycling

We want to congratulate Lance Thomas of BYOT Auto Parts in Waco, TX, the recipient of the

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱!

Lance has built a remarkable self-service recycling operation with five locations across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. His unwavering dedication, strategic leadership, and passion for the industry continue to elevate the standards of automotive recycling.

This award celebrates a true industry leader whose impact is felt across the region and beyond.

Congratulations on this well-earned and well-deserved award. Thank you for all you do to support TARA

You can now sign up to be a TARA member online

TARA extends a SPECIAL thank you to PMR for serving as this year’s DIAMOND sponsor of the 2025 TARA Tradeshow and Conference.

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Greetings Team,

I hope everyone is doing well. As we head into the off-session at the Capitol, our attention now turns to follow-up work from HB 5436, the non-title bill. Although the bill has become law, there is still much to do to refine our procedures—particularly regarding what we submit to the DMV for liens and stolen vehicle checks.

The TXDMV has adopted new rules outlining how and where these submissions will be made. As a large agency handling an enormous volume of vehicle data daily, the DMV faces significant challenges in implementation. TARA will be submitting public comments on behalf of our industry, and we’re monitoring the timeline for electronic submissions to the DMV. Unfortunately, the initial rollout will require in-person visits to their service centers. We’ll need to remain patient and understanding as they manage this transition.

After the hearing and final rule implementation, we’ll regroup to ensure we have clear direction moving forward—particularly regarding vehicles with no title.

We had productive breakout sessions recently and introduced additional training and certification programs for EV vehicles and batteries. This will be an important step forward for our industry, ensuring we’re prepared for the growing presence of electric vehicles and battery systems.

TDLR has continued to reach out for training opportunities and tours of our facilities to expand their understanding of our industry and its operations. As a reminder, inspections will continue as usual, and with recent meetings and workshops, we now have updated language and clear criteria for recordkeeping and inspection requirements.

During the interim, I’ll continue meeting with local officials and law enforcement. This is also a great time to invite representatives and senators to visit and tour our facilities when possible.

Wishing everyone a great rest of the year and a wonderful holiday season.

God Bless,

Tchad Taormina

PAC FUND REPORT

A monthly donation does indeed add up and we thank you. The thank you also continues to go out to Keny Daniel, Lloyd and Amy Welty, Hotrod and Nandy as well as Ben Bell for being there month after month.

Without help like this we will not be able to continue to fight for your rights. Please consider a small donation to help the PAC Fund.

The PAC funds are used to help keep the recognition of the Recyclers in the eyes and ears of the Texas political candidates and parties who support Recyclers and our work.

It is a donation from your personal funds, and it is people like these folks who are here for the rest of us year after year.

You ask,

“How can I donate?” It’s easy! We have been mailing out a form for your convenience to donate monthly, yearly, or a one-time donation for the year 2025.

Please take a moment to donate today.

Name on Card _________________________________________________________

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Exp _________________ VC_______________ Billing Zip Code __________________

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PLEASE INDICATE YOUR OPTION OF DONATION:

COMMIT TO AT LEAST A DONATION OF $50 A MONTH.

(MONTHLY $__________) (YEARLY $___________) (ONE TIME $_________)

All PAC Fund donations need to be through a Personal account only

Mail your form to 11209 Buzzard Gulch Waco, TX 76708

FROM YOUR LOBBYIST

Legislative Update

TARA Newsletter

November 3, 2025

As previously reported, during the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, TARA was

successful in passing HB 5436 by Representative Keith Bell and Senator Royce West. HB 5436

allows licensed and regulated UAPRs to purchase certain non-titled vehicles without incurring

the cost and delay of going through the bonded title process.

Under HB 5436, the non-titled vehicle must be: least 13 years old; have been unregistered for 7

years; and purchased solely for parts, dismantling or scraping. The bill requires UAPRs to report

vehicle information to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and to the National

Vehicle Title Information System so that the VINs are cancelled. Also, HB 5436 classifies

violations of certain requirements of the bill as misdemeanor and/or state jail felony offenses.

On October 3rd, the TxDMV published in the Texas Register proposed rules to implement HB

5436 and was soliciting public comment until November 3rd. TARA did have some concerns with

the rules as proposed and had discussions with TxDMV staff as well as submitting formal

comments. TxDMV staff will review the comments, prepare responses and present them to the

Commission for consideration and adoption. The final rules are expected to go into effect in

January.

The Capitol is relatively quiet as Legislators have returned home after multiple Special Sessions,

and the focus has shifted to the 2026 election cycle. November 8th through December 8th is the

filing period for the March Primary. Already four State Senators and 19 Representatives have

announced that they will not be seeking reelection. Additionally, Senator Kelly Hancock (R-

Richland Hills) resigned from the Senate in June to become acting State Comptroller and the

election for his seat was on November 4th.

Below are the Legislators who are not returning:

Senators

SD 3 - Robert Nichols R-Jacksonville

SD 4 – Brandon Creighton R-Conroe

SD 11 – Mayes Middleton R-Galveston

SD 22 – Brian Birdwell R-Granbury

State Representatives

HD 9 – Trent Ashby R-Lufkin

HD 15 – Steve Toth R-Spring

HD 21 – Dade Phelan R-Beaumont

HD 41 – Bobby Guerra D-McAllen

HD 47 – Vikki Goodwin D-Austin

HD 49 – Gina Hinojosa D-Austin

HD 50 – James Talarico D-Austin

HD 71 – Stan Lambert R-Abilene

HD 93 – Nate Schatzline R-Fort Worth

HD 94 – Tony Tinderholt R-Arlington

HD 96 – David Cook R-Mansfield

HD 98 – Giovanni Capriglione R-Keller

HD 118 – John Lujan R-San Antonio

HD 125 – Ray Lopez D-San Antonio

HD 126 – Sam Harless R-Spring

HD 128 – Briscoe Cain R-Deer Park

HD 129 – Dennis Paul R-Houston

HD 131 – Alma Allen D-Houston

OTHER NEWS FROM AROUND TEXAS

TXDMV.GOV

DID YOU KNOW?

-Did you know? Many auto recyclers now use AI-driven inventory tools to match parts with buyers in seconds.

-Did you know? The next big thing in recycling is EV battery recovery — turning used lithium-ion batteries into new energy solutions.

-Did you know? Some recyclers use digital IDs and QR codes to track parts for traceability and sustainability reporting.

-Did you know? Green-certified recyclers follow strict environmental standards (like ISO 14001) to reduce waste and pollution.

- Did you know? Modern dismantling yards use automated depollution systems to safely remove fluids in minutes.

2024-2025 BOARD OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

TEXAS AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION

4209 E HIGHEAY 80

MIDLAND, TX 79706

432-999-3274