Welcome to the latest ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update, a biweekly roundup of the public-policy issues currently impacting the full cleaning supply chain. This update touches on current PRIA 5 implementation efforts, registration for the 2024 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, urging Congress to tell DOL to abandon the department’s overtime proposal, and more.

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Happy holidays from your ISSA Government Affairs Team!

ISSA Advocacy

Updates on PRIA 5 Implementation
The PRIA Coalition, of which ISSA is a leading member, has been engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about PRIA 5 implementation and the need to provide more predictability about pesticide-registration processing. The coalition continues to stress the importance of addressing the backlog of registrant submissions not covered by a PRIA code (non-PRIA actions). The registering divisions report progress on efforts to clear the current backlog of these actions. Additionally, on December 6, EPA published a list of the common reasons why a notification may be rejected on its website. This data is based on an analysis of notification rejection reasons from FY2023.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of PRIA 5 on December 29, we expect EPA to release guidance related to Endangered Species Act reviews for new uses of pesticides and the establishment of a Vector Expedited Review Voucher program. We also look forward to seeing some updated statistics about PRIA processing during the January 18 PRIA quarterly stakeholder meeting. We have asked EPA to provide updates on staffing, the non-PRIA backlog, and the average number of days that it takes EPA to complete various types of registration actions. ISSA will continue to advocate on behalf of its members in discussions with EPA on PRIA 5 implementation and keep members apprised of relevant updates.

Join Cleaning-Industry Leaders for the 2024 Clean Advocacy Summit
Register now for the 2024 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, the premier Capitol Hill fly-in event for the cleaning industry, April 10-11 in Washington, DC! ISSA is co-hosting the summit with INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry; the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification; and the Workplace Solutions Association. This year’s summit will take place at the brand-new Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill, walking distance to the U.S. Capitol. More than 100 industry leaders, representing a cross-section of the cleaning industry from manufacturers to distributors to cleaning service professionals, will descend on Capitol Hill to advocate for public policies that are critical to their businesses and the industry. Learn more and register

Urge Congress to Tell DOL to Abandon Overtime Proposal
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is attempting to push through significant changes to the overtime-pay regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act at a time when our economy is still recovering from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supply chains are disrupted, inflation remains high, and worker shortages continue to plague cleaning businesses across the country. Take action now

Legislative

Bipartisan Workforce-Development Legislation Receives 100+ Cosponsors
The bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1477/S. 722) continues to build momentum on Capitol Hill, with more than 100 members of Congress cosponsoring the House legislation in less than nine months since introduction. ISSA is an active member of the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, which includes more than 760 trade associations, professional societies, and businesses working to maximize congressional support for the beneficial workforce development bill. If enacted, the legislation would expand qualified expenses under 529-savings plans to include post-secondary training and credentialing programs like ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Certification. Learn more

Regulatory

DOL’s Proposed Independent-Contractor Rule Closer to Final
In October 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the long-awaited proposed rule on independent-contractor classification. A year later, after an extended public-comment period, the proposed rule has finally been submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), indicating that the release of the final rule is imminent, The National Law Review reported. OMB review is the final step in the rule-making process. Learn more

What Small Businesses Need to Know – New 2024 Regulations
Heading into 2024, there are several regulations that should be on small business owners’ radar, according to AP. For instance, small businesses will need to register with an agency called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in 2024, as part of a law that passed in 2021 called the Corporate Transparency Act. Learn more

IRS Rejects 20,000+ Refund Claims for Pandemic-Related Tax Credit
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is sending more than 20,000 rejection letters to taxpayers who wrongly claimed the employee-retention credit, or ERC, CNBC reported. Learn more

Supply Chains, Trade Top Agenda for Yellen’s Mexico Trip
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen traveled to Mexico City to meet with government officials there and discuss supply chains and trade, according to CNBC. Learn more

State News

New York State – Proposed Regulations Filed, Public Comment Hearing on 1,4-Dioxane
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) filed a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the New York State Department of State. This rulemaking will implement the amendments to Articles 35 and 37 of the Environmental Conservation Law, adopted in 2019, which establish limits on the amount of 1,4-dioxane that can be present in household cleansing, personal care, and cosmetic products to be sold in the state. Written comments on the proposed rule are due by COB on February 12, 2024. Additionally, DEC will host a virtual meeting for the public comment hearing on 1,4-dioxane in household cleansing, personal care, and cosmetic products regulations at 1 pm ET on February 6, 2024. Learn more