SMACNA’s Legislative 118th Congress Scorecard – December 2024:
- Endorse Extension of R&D Tax Credit AND Section 179 Bonus Equipment Depreciation provisions (S. 866 /H.R. 2673) Coalition and SMACNA effort. Passed House / Awaits Senate.
- 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 – Senate Conference Option in “Lame Duck” session.
- 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 House - Senate floor votes pending in December.
- Advance IAQ Commercial Tax Credit bill (HR 9000) / IAQ In Schools bill (HR 9131) - 2025
- Commercial Building Conversion Tax Credits (H.R. 9002) – Supporting the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act (H.R. 9002) by enacting a special 20% conversion tax credits with larger credits for rural, distressed and/or low-income economic areas with older buildings.
- Defend PLAs / Davis-Bacon– Oppose (H.J. Res. 103/H.R. 1290/H.R. 720/S. 537) repeal bills.
- Defend the IRA tax incentives for private construction incentives / public projects. Action 2025
- Defend 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. Building support now for 2025.
- 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 December action. White House and DOL not expressing viewpoints yet.
- Promote Pension Reforms - monitoring opportunities to advance our policy position as part of generic pension legislation. Part of transition team effort to educate agency staff and leadership.
- 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would increase access to care for people, often in the workforce, experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD) by reforming outdated regulations governing the prescription/dispensing medications.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 and SMACNA / Votes in 2025.
- Support Nuclear Energy Financing, Licensing and Advanced Technology Act – Now Law / Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2023. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to expedite the development and deployment of advanced nuclear energy for the next generation of nuclear reactors. More action in 2025.
- FAA 5 – Year $130 billion Reauthorization: New HVAC Energy Efficiency Earmarks / Terminal Energy Upgrades / Now LAW
- Independent Contractor Regulatory Reform – Regulatory Comment Filed / support DOL’s construction reforms on Capitol Hill. Final Rule is beneficial to union contractors.
Regulations Targeted for Special 2023-2024 Attention / SMACNA Comments Filed:
- Davis-Bacon Reform – Rules were final October 23, 2023
- IRA Tax Incentives Regulatory Guidance – Most key rules were final December 2023.
- Independent Contractor Reform – Final rule issued mid 2024.
- PLA Executive Order / Reform – Final rule issued, in effect February 2024.
- FAR Council Decarbonization Reform – Final rule expected by Fall 2024.
- Buy America Act Regulatory Reform – Final rule in late 2024.
- Cannabis Rescheduling Reform – FDA reclassification rule comments filed, rule pending.
- Registered Apprenticeship Reform – Proposed final rule December 2023; comments filed.
