Automatic Renewal
Proposals prohibiting automatic renewal, or mandating burdensome renewal-notification requirements have appeared in Maryland and New Jersey, and IHRSA has worked hard to submit testimony against these in every instance.
Active-Duty Memberships
Many states have put forth bills that allow active-duty military and National Guard members to cancel or suspend their gym memberships (and subscriptions) when they are called to serve. One such bill passed in Florida before the legislature adjourned.
AEDs
Legislators in many states (namely Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee) have also put forth efforts to further mandate automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), a safety precaution that IHRSA supports while following closely.
Taxes on Membership
States like Kentucky, Wyoming, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania have attempted taxing gym memberships as a way to offset other tax cuts. With the help of engaged fitness professionals like you, we continue to work to fight these proposals.
These are just a few of the trends we're watching. IHRSA works hard to protect our members from burdensome laws that would make it harder or more expensive to operate health clubs. Visit your state advocacy page to learn more about news and proposed legislation in your state.
On the Federal Front
Although Congress did not include HR 5138 (which includes PHIT) in the final omnibus spending bill, we have built strong support for PHIT inside Capitol Hill. The inclusion of PHIT language as part of Congressman Mike Kelly’s (R-PA) Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act (H.R. 5138) reform bill both raises PHIT’s profile and offers another path to seeing PHIT become law.
