Why It Matters
Avis Budget Group Inc. disclosed lobbying on H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act (surface transportation reauthorization), on implementing restoration of full expensing and bonus depreciation, and on H.R. 6687, the DRIVER Act, which concerns vehicle data, in its third-quarter 2026 lobbying disclosure filing. The quarter also marks a structural shift: Capitol Tax Partners LLP (CTP) terminated its engagement, leaving Avis with a single in-house registrant for the first time in the seven quarters covered by the filing history.
By the Numbers
The in-house filing reports $150,000, down $90,000 from $240,000 in the second quarter of 2026. The same quarter a year earlier, the in-house registrant reported $180,000, a year-over-year drop of $30,000.
The client total for the third quarter of 2026 is $150,000, down $160,000 from $310,000 in the second quarter of 2026 and down $100,000 from $250,000 in the third quarter of 2025.
The in-house team on the third-quarter 2026 filing:
- Josh Dover, vice president, Government Affairs, a former House staffer who served in the offices of Reps. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Dale E. Kildee (D-MI-5), and Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI-1).
- Will Sowers
Broader Context
H.R. 8870 — BUILD America 250 Act
The BUILD America 250 Act, introduced May 19, 2026, by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO-6), would authorize federal surface transportation programs through fiscal year 2031 and modify related Department of Transportation programs and policies. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ordered it reported, as amended, on May 22.
Forty organizations back the bill, including the American Car Rental Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Trucking Associations, and the Business Roundtable, citing multi-year funding certainty and permitting reforms; ASCE specifically cited $50 billion for bridges. The Union of Concerned Scientists urged members of Congress to vote no, arguing a bill focused on roads and highways "will only take us backwards."
H.R. 6687 — DRIVER Act
The DRIVER Act was introduced Dec. 12, 2025, by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-1) and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee; it would require automakers to give vehicle owners free, real-time access to the data their vehicles collect, limit the sale of that data, and prohibit sales to five named foreign nations, and Congress.gov lists five cosponsors and no Senate companion.
Bonus Depreciation
Public Law 119-21, enacted July 4, 2025, amended the tax code's special depreciation allowance rules and is the latest development identified on restoring full expensing and bonus depreciation.
Competitive Landscape
The bill record for H.R. 6687 lists 14 other organizations lobbying the DRIVER Act, including the American Car Rental Association, Enterprise Mobility, the Motorcycle Industry Council Inc., Elanco Animal Health Inc., and North American Subaru Inc.
The Bottom Line
Avis Budget Group's in-house spend fell in two of the last three quarters, dropping $90,000 in 2026 Q3, and Capitol Tax Partners LLP's termination of its engagement leaves the company with a single in-house registrant for the first time in the seven quarters covered by the data. Both H.R. 8870 and H.R. 6687 remained pending in the House as of the filing date, and the Senate's tentative 2026 schedule lists a target adjournment of December 18.
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