Legislative Goals on Track for Progress in 2024:
- Independent Contractor Regulatory Reform – Draft Regulatory Comment Filed / support construction reforms in Final Rule process at DOL. *Rule final March 11th for reformed IC rules beneficial to union contractors. Oppose CRA HJ Res 116 / SJ Res 63.
- Endorse Extension of R&D Tax Credit AND Section 179 Bonus Equipment Depreciation provisions (H.R. 7024) for immediate Senate passage of House package.
- Defend PLAs / Davis-Bacon Act – Oppose (H.R. 1390/H.R. 720/S. 537/S. 3941) repealing both laws. Oppose repeal amendment to Transportation Appropriation Bill (amendment #84). Oppose CRA Repeal bill H.J. Res. 103 in the House.
- Promote Change Order Reform / Small Business Payment for Performance Act -Leading to endorse change order reform (H.R. 2726) bill again to provide payment on approval for half of change order amount, expedited resolution of the remainder once certified by contracting officer. Seeking more co-sponsors for 2025 NDAA consideration.
- Advocate for The SAFE Banking Act – House and Senate bills (H.R. 2891 / S. 1323) would provide access to the federal banking system for cannabis related industry payments. Recent Senate hearings with SMACNA noted / Senate floor vote by Spring.
- Boost Registered Apprenticeship (RAP) - Support (H.R. 2851/S. 249/H.R. 2900) funds for general workforce development programs for construction industry in DOL. Oppose repeal of RAP Regulations (H.J. Res. 116 / S.J. Res. 63) Seek reforms to Apprenticeship Act / Apprenticeship Hubs Act. Filed DOL RAP comments March 11th.
- Defend the IRA and CHIPS and Science Act 1.0 (Support 2.0) tax incentives for private construction incentives / public projects. First projects ($70 billion) announced.
- Support Nuclear Energy Financing, Licensing and Advanced Technology Act - S. 1111, Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2023. The bill would boost the development and deployment of advanced nuclear energy and safety measures for the next generation of nuclear reactors. Passed House February ‘24 – Senate passage, House bill pending. White House support.
- Advocate for Pro Codes Act - (S. 832 / H.R. 1631) endorsed pending bill to boost the copyright protects of codes and standards issuing groups / coalition and SMACNA.
- Promote Pension reforms - monitoring opportunities to advance our policy position as part of generic pension legislation.
- Substance Abuse Program Funding and Research - (S. 1359 / S. 644) would increase access to care for people, often in the workforce, experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD) by reforming outdated rules for the prescription and dispensing effective medications. Senate markup of S. 644 on December 12th.
- Defend IRA Tax Incentives Q - Programs included in the Inflation Reduction Act private tax incentives support 10 years of building retrofits programs in private sector tax incentive package. **Direct pay of monetized tax credits Treasury / IRS rule now final.
Regulations Receiving Special Attention and SMACNA Comments Filed:
- Davis-Bacon Reform – Rules Effective October 23, 2023 / CRA by 1/19/24
- IRA Tax Incentives Regulatory Guidance – Variety of Rules Final Dec-March.
- Independent Contractor Reform – Endorsed Final Rule Effective March 11th.
- PLA Executive Order / Reform – Final Rule Requiring PLAs Final.
- FAR Council Decarbonization Reform – Final rule expected by Summer.
- Buy America Act Regulatory Reform – Final Rule Issued.
- Cannabis Regulatory Reform – Awaiting FDA Rule on Rescheduling from Class I
- Registered Apprenticeship Reform – Final rule comment filed by March 11.
- 179d IRA Reform - Final Rule in December 2023, further clarifications pending.
