February 12, 2016

Rep. David Jolly

U.S. House of Representatives
1728 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20515

Rep. Beto ORourke

U.S. House of Representatives
1330 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representatives Jolly and ORourke:

AARP is pleased to endorse the Gas Pump Access Act, H.R. 4552, a bipartisan bill that
will help ensure that persons with disabilities receive fueling assistance upon request at
gas stations and convenience stores that provide gasoline. Your bill addresses a
persistent problem experienced by disabled individuals who need assistance fueling
their vehicles.
The risk of disability increases with age and can lead to restricted mobility over time,
dependence on others for basic travel needs, and isolation. Those who are able to
operate a motor vehicle can surmount many of the mobility restrictions they might
otherwise encounter. These individuals should not be needlessly obstructed by the
inability to fill their gas tanks.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), gas stations (and convenience stores
providing gasoline) must provide equal access to persons with disabilities. While the
ADA also requires stations with two or more employees on duty to assist these
individuals in refueling their vehicles (without charge), there is no reliable method to
alert attendants to their need. Honking horns and flashing headlights are often ignored.
Some stations provide call attendant buttons but they are often out of reach. The Gas
Pump Access Act would require that a decal be displayed on each gas pump with the
telephone number of the gas station or convenience store and would consider it a
violation of the ADA if the decal is not so displayed. The bill further requires that the
phone number on the decal must be operational and must be answered directly during
business hours.

We commend you both for your leadership on this issue. Please do not hesitate to
contact me if you have any questions, or have your staff contact Debra Alvarez in our
Government Affairs Department at (202) 434-3814.
Sincerely,

Joyce A. Rogers
Senior Vice President
Government Affairs