Legislative Goals on Track for Progress in 2024
- Endorse Extension of R&D Tax Credit AND Section 179 - Bonus Equipment Depreciation provisions (S. 866 /H.R. 2673) Coalition and independent action.
- FAA 5 – Year $130 billion Reauthorization - New HVAC and Energy Efficiency Earmarks / Terminal Energy Upgrades / LAW
- Independent Contractor Regulatory Reform - Draft Regulatory Comment Filed / support construction reforms in current draft process at DOL. Release expected any day of reformed IC rules beneficial to union contractors.
- Promote the 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. Lobby effort will be doubled in the coming months. NDAA House Amendment Pending now.
- Support Nuclear Energy Financing, Licensing and Advanced Technology Act - S. 1111, Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2023. It also directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to create a pathway for conventional energy source sites to be repurposed in the future. The bill would expedite the development and deployment of advanced nuclear energy for the next generation of nuclear reactors. Passed Senate in 2023 and House Committee with SMACNA boost. Odds growing for final action by Congress in first quarter of 2024.
- 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. Senate Banking Passage with SMACNA noted, Senate pending vote.
- Defend PLAs / Davis-Bacon Act – Oppose (H.J. Res. 103/H.R. 1290/H.R. 720/S. 537) repeal bills.
- Defend the IRA and CHIPS and Science Act 1.0 (Support 2.0) tax incentives for private construction incentives / public projects.
- Defend Continued Funding of School Construction / IAQ - Programs included in the American Rescue Plan intended for 4 years of retrofits as well as new programs in the infrastructure and reconciliation package. **179d use is optional.
- Boost Registered Apprenticeship - Support (H.R. 2851/S. 249/H.R. 2900) funds for general workforce development programs for construction industry in DOL Appropriations, Infrastructure Act, Rescue Plan and reconciliation package / Apprenticeship Act / Apprenticeship Hubs Act. Bipartisan support for action soon.
- 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 regulations governing the prescription/dispensing medications.
- Advocate for Pro Codes Act - (S. 832 / H.R. 1631) endorsed and supporting pending bill to boost the copyright protects of codes and standards issuing groups / coalition and SMACNA efforts.
Regulations Targeted for Special 2023-2024 Attention and SMACNA Comments Filed:
- Davis-Bacon Reform – Rules were final October 23, 2023
- IRA Tax Incentives Regulatory Guidance – Most key rules final December 2023.
- Independent Contractor Reform – Draft rule expected by February 2024.
- PLA Executive Order / Reform – Final rule issued to take effect in February 2024.
- FAR Council Decarbonization Reform – Final rule expected by Summer 2024.
- Buy America Act Regulatory Reform – Final rule in early 2024.
- Cannabis Regulatory Reform – FDA reclassification rule comments being drafted now.
- Registered Apprenticeship Reform – Proposed final rule December 2023; commenting.
