FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY
Federal Government Provides Additional Small Business Relief
On April 24, President Trump signed a fourth COVID-19 relief package into law. Included in this $484 billion relief package was $370 billion in loans and grants for businesses via the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is the federal agency responsible for two in-demand programs: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). NKBA members are advised to act swiftly in seeking aid from these programs, as the original funding was depleted within weeks of being available. To learn more about these programs, please click here to read NKBA’s newsfeed post with helpful links and review the May 13 guidance issued by the SBA on the PPP. To access the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application, please click here.
Federal Guidance on Reopening your Business
While the Federal Government has issued a broad guidance document on Opening Up America Again, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released further details on reopening your business via this flyer. As always, please adhere to the any specific guidelines offered by your respective state. Unsure if your state is open for business? Click here for information. For NKBA members who provide in-home services, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has provided information on its website. For NKBA members who have showrooms, potential guidance from the CDC and the retail community may be useful. For NKBA members in construction, the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) has issued this downloadable resource for companies. An additional downloadable guide from real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield may offer you some helpful insights on reopening your business.
U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission Continue Investigation on Ceramic Tile and Quartz Imports
As the investigation into wooden cabinets and vanities came to a conclusion last month, a similar investigation into ceramic tiles and quartz imports continues. A federal investigation is entering its final phase involving imports of ceramic tile from China and quartz surface products from India and Turkey. Preliminary findings from the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission have resulted in the collection of cash deposits on these imports. These deposits for Chinese ceramic tile range from 114% to 356% and roughly 5% on quartz surface imports from India and Turkey. For more information, please review this article.
STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY
States Announce the Lifting of Residential Construction Ban During the COVID-19 Outbreak
While many states had declared residential construction as “non-essential” during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, these restrictions are being lifted as states begin the process of reopening their economies. With New Jersey lifting its ban as of May 18, all 50 states have allowed residential construction to resume. To ensure you are following any limitations and guidelines of your particular state, please review this website.
NKBA Continues to Monitor Interior Design Title and Practice Act Legislation Across the Country
Over the last several years, NKBA and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) have jointly pursued a mutually agreeable legislative solution on Interior Design(er) Title and Practice Acts. While NKBA has traditionally opposed such Acts, the groups have agreed to model legislation language that protects NKBA’s members’ right to practice their profession. NKBA monitors Title and Practice Act legislation in all 50 states to ensure that this agreed-upon language is maintained. Earlier this year, NKBA worked with ASID to amend Alaska House Bill 291 to protect the rights of NKBA designer members; this bill recently failed due to the Alaska Legislature adjourning. NKBA is currently working with ASID on legislation in Massachusetts, House Bill 4453 and Senate Bill 165, to ensure similar amendments that protect NKBA designer members are included. NKBA is also monitoring Nebraska Bill 1068, which includes the agreed-upon language. NKBA continues to monitor the movement of these bills on behalf of our members.
Nebraska Legislature Seeking to Remove Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Interior Design and Decorating Services
The Nebraska Legislature introduced Bill 1213 this year with the aim of increasing state revenue by removing sales and use tax exemptions on various services. Included in this list is interior design and decorating services and other related professional services, such as plumbing and carpentry. If implemented, the tax would cost clients additional dollars to use interior design services and may dissuade some people from using a kitchen or bath designer as part of their renovation projects, resulting in a loss of business to NKBA members. NKBA continues to monitor the movement of this piece of legislation, which is has been stalled in committee since January, and will continue to do so until the Nebraska Legislature’s session ends on June 30.
COVID-19 State Updates and Available Resources: LexisNexis Interactive Map and Marathon Strategies Center
For information on what individual states are doing to combat COVID-19, this interactive map, online platform and resource center may be of interest. Click on any state to see up-to-date information or subscribe for complimentary daily email reports.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Federal and State Legislative Contacts
Don’t forget to contact your Federal and State Legislators for government information and resources. Legislative staffs are available to answer any questions on legislation, or walk you through governmental processes.
NKBA Legislative Contact
NKBA will monitor relevant legislative developments at the state and federal levels, and, where appropriate, provide information to members concerning material issues and developments — including laws and regulations that might impact the kitchen and bath industry. If you have any questions or comments on legislation, please reach out directly to Steven Campeau, NKBA’s Government Relations Specialist, at scampeau@nkba.org.
NOTE: NKBA is providing this material for general information only. This information does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax/investment advice, accounting services, or professional consulting of any kind, nor should it be construed as such. NKBA is not a lobbying organization and does not have a Political Action Committee (PAC). Resources such as this newsletter are meant solely for informational purposes.
