While many of us were in Orlando for a great KBIS 2022 (click here for a video recap!), legislative activity continued across the country. Trump Administration era tariffs are still in effect, with the Biden Administration continuing its’ examination of next steps in the trade dispute with China. Meanwhile, Senators are requesting more product exclusions from tariffs which have been impacting the overall U.S economy, as well as certain products in the construction and residential remodeling industries. NKBA will continue to monitor this situation and other federal and state legislative activity and report back to our membership with pertinent updates.
FEDERAL ACTIVITY
U.S. Department of Commerce: The U.S. Secretary of Commerce announced proceedings to determine if imports of quartz surfaces from Malaysia are circumventing the antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) on Chinese imports.
U.S. – China Tariffs: Group of 41 Senators call for U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to make more companies eligible for exclusions from Trump-era tariffs on goods imported from China, while the Biden Administration considers options to address continued trade issues.
U.S COVID-19 Relief: New Jersey Representative Sherrill calls on President Biden to support a targeted small business relief package that includes an extension of the American Rescue Plan’s tax credits available to small businesses to cover earned sick leave benefits for employees affected by COVID-19.
U.S. Build Back Better Act: While Democrats seek to reframe their $2+trillion package by focusing on the potential savings for consumers via electrifying their home appliances, contractors discuss the challenges in electrifying homes.
STATE ACTIVITY
Florida: Senate Bill 736 seeks to revise the time period allowed for claimants to allege construction defects in the design, planning, or construction of an improvement on real property.
Iowa: Senate Study Bill 3094 requires that a contractor, prior to entering into a home improvement contract in Iowa, obtain a home improvement contractor’s bond in the amount of $75,000.
Maryland: Senate Bill 494 aims to adopt new energy and water efficiency standards for products and allow a manufacturer that has a certified product to the WaterSense Program to use that certification in lieu of a separate Maryland certification under certain circumstances.
Oregon: Legislature introduces House Bill 4020, which requires residential general contractors proposing remodel or repair projects of more than $20,000 in value, to tour residential structure with property owner and provide property owner with itemized and detailed description for each feature of proposed construction work.
Virginia: House Bill 1343 which would add a tax on a multitude of services including interior design services and residential home repair and maintenance services such as carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work, introduced but failed to pass out of committee.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
To keep current on what individual states are doing to combat COVID-19, this interactive map, online platform and resource center might be of interest. The interactive map shows all COVID-19-related legislative activity that each state has enacted, while the online platform and resource center provide important information related to COVID-19. Interested in learning more about COVID-19 vaccinations? Track vaccination doses by state here.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Federal and State Legislative Contacts
Interested in some of the topics above? Don’t forget to contact your Federal and State Legislators to let them know your thoughts! Legislative staff 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 or have suggestions on topics you want to see in future newsletters, please reach out directly to Steven Campeau, NKBA’s Governance Manager, 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 are meant solely for informational purposes.
