119th Congress Legislative Priorities
NLBMDA advocates before Congress and federal agencies on the issues that directly affect lumber and building material dealers, their employees and the residential construction industry. During the 119th Congress, NLBMDA has helped advance several major legislative priorities for the LBM industry, including measures addressing tax policy and housing supply. NLBMDA continues to build on that progress by advancing additional priorities below before Congress and federal agencies on behalf of LBM dealers.
Recent Legislative Victories
Two major laws enacted during the 119th Congress include longstanding NLBMDA priorities and represent significant legislative achievements for the LBM industry.
2026 Legislative WIN
21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
Enacted on July 11, 2026, the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) is a comprehensive housing law focused on increasing housing supply, reducing regulatory barriers and modernizing federal housing programs.
NLBMDA advocacy helped advance a final package that:
- Reduces federal regulatory and administrative barriers that can delay housing construction.
- Modernizes federal housing programs and processes to better support new supply.
- Provides state and local communities with additional tools to address housing shortages.
- Advances reforms supported by NLBMDA members during more than 100 congressional meetings at the 2026 Spring Meeting and Legislative Conference.
2025 Legislative WIN
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Enacted on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) included a number of tax, workforce and housing provisions that NLBMDA had advocated for throughout the legislative process.
NLBMDA priorities secured in the law include:
- Permanent 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying business investments.
- Permanent extension of the Section 199A deduction for pass-through businesses.
- A permanently higher estate and gift tax exemption and expanded Section 179 expensing.
- Expanded use of 529 savings plans for eligible workforce and non-four-year education programs.
- Permanent enhancements to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to support additional housing production.
Current Advocacy Priorities
With major tax and housing priorities enacted during the 119th Congress, NLBMDA continues to engage Congress and federal policymakers on issues affecting the day-to-day operations, costs and long-term growth of LBM dealers.
Explore NLBMDA's Current Priorities
Swipe Fee Reform
Swipe fee reform remains one of NLBMDA's leading federal advocacy priorities. NLBMDA supports policies that increase competition and choice in the credit card processing market for LBM dealers and other merchants.
Active Priority | 119th Congress
Credit Card Competition Act of 2026
S. 3623 / H.R. 7035
Credit card swipe fees are a significant operating cost for many LBM dealers and businesses across the country. In 2025, merchants were charged a record $198.25 billion in credit and debit card swipe fees, up from $187.2 billion in 2024. The bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act would increase network competition by requiring credit cards issued by covered large financial institutions to be enabled on at least two unaffiliated payment networks, subject to the bill's requirements and exclusions.
Why It Matters to Dealers
For dealers processing large volumes of card transactions, even small changes in processing costs can have a meaningful effect on operating expenses. NLBMDA supports greater competition and merchant choice in the payments market.
What CCCA Does
CCCA would require covered credit cards to be enabled on at least two unaffiliated payment networks, giving LBM dealers greater choice in how transactions are routed. By creating more competition among payment networks, CCCA is intended to put downward pressure on interchange and processing fees.
Current Status
S. 3623 and H.R. 7035 were introduced on January 13, 2026. The Senate bill is before the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and the House bill is before the Financial Services Committee.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA is working alongside the Merchants Payments Coalition and other industry partners to build congressional support for the Credit Card Competition Act and advance greater competition in the credit card processing market.
Dealer Resources
Get Engaged
Want to support NLBMDA's swipe fee reform efforts? Contact NLBMDA staff to learn how you can get involved.
Get the Details
Review NLBMDA's background and policy materials on swipe fee reform.
Track the Legislation
Follow the latest official congressional actions on S. 3623.
Trade
NLBMDA advocates for a stable and predictable trade environment that supports the availability of building materials while limiting unnecessary cost and supply pressures throughout the residential construction market.
Active Priority | 2026
U.S.-Canada Trade Stability & Building Material Costs
The United States and Canada share a deeply integrated building material supply chain. Changes in tariffs and other trade measures can affect product costs, sourcing decisions, availability and lead times for LBM dealers and their customers.
Why It Matters to Dealers
Dealers rely on long-standing North American supplier relationships for lumber, engineered wood and other construction products. Trade uncertainty can make it more difficult to plan purchases, manage inventory and provide customers with predictable pricing.
Current Landscape
Recent U.S.-Canada tariff actions have added another layer of complexity for businesses sourcing products across the border, while the longstanding softwood lumber trade dispute remains an important issue for the construction supply chain.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA continues to engage Congress and the Administration, both directly and alongside industry partners, to promote a more stable and predictable trade environment and limit unnecessary cost and supply pressures on building materials.
Trade Resources
NLBMDA Advocacy
Review NLBMDA's correspondence on U.S.-Canada building material trade.
Import Guidance
See current CBP guidance for Section 338 duties on certain Canadian goods.
Active Priority | Tariff Relief
Housing Tariff Exclusion Act
H.R. 10416 / S. 3943
The Housing Tariff Exclusion Act would establish a process through the U.S. Department of Commerce to exclude certain homebuilding materials from covered tariffs. The legislation would provide expedited treatment for designated critical homebuilding products and allow businesses to request exclusions for other construction materials when tariffs would increase home construction costs.
Why It Matters to Dealers
Tariffs on essential building materials can add costs and uncertainty throughout the residential construction supply chain. A clear and timely exclusion process can provide greater predictability for dealers while helping limit tariff-related pressures on housing costs.
Current Status
S. 3943 was introduced by Senators Jacky Rosen and Chris Coons and referred to the Senate Finance Committee. H.R. 10416 was introduced by Representative Nanette Barragán and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA supports the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act and is working with lawmakers to advance a transparent and timely tariff exclusion process for critical homebuilding materials.
Housing
NLBMDA supports federal policies that expand housing supply, encourage new construction and rehabilitation, and reduce barriers that make it more difficult to build homes.
Active Priority | Homeownership Supply
Neighborhood Homes Investment Act
H.R. 2854 / S. 1686
The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act would establish a federal tax credit designed to support the construction and substantial rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes in qualifying communities where development costs can exceed attainable sales prices.
Why It Matters
The credit is intended to help close financing gaps that can prevent new or rehabilitated homes from being economically viable in lower-income communities.
Current Status
H.R. 2854 was referred to House Ways and Means. S. 1686 was referred to Senate Finance.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA is working alongside partners at the Neighborhood Homes Coalition to build congressional support for the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act and advance policies that expand the supply of new and rehabilitated owner-occupied homes.
Active Priority | Housing Supply
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025
H.R. 2725 / S. 1515
The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would make a series of changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to support the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing.
What Changed
Several major LIHTC provisions were enacted through the 2025 reconciliation law, including enhancements intended to increase affordable housing production. Other provisions of AHCIA remain outside current law.
Current Status
H.R. 2725 is before the House Ways and Means Committee and S. 1515 is before the Senate Finance Committee.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA is working through the ACTION Campaign and with other housing partners to advance the remaining provisions of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act and strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
WORKFORCE & Infrastructure POLICY
Workforce & Supply Chain
LBM dealers depend on a reliable transportation network and a strong pipeline of skilled workers. NLBMDA supports policies aimed at reducing workforce bottlenecks and expanding career pathways into the residential construction industry.
Active Priority | Surface Transportation Reauthorization
BUILD America 250 Act
H.R. 8870
The bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act is the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's five-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal. The bill would authorize funding for federal-aid highways, bridges, transit, rail transportation and highway and motor carrier safety programs as Congress works to replace surface transportation programs scheduled to expire on September 30, 2026.
Why It Matters to Dealers
LBM dealers depend on reliable roads, bridges and freight networks to receive inventory and make timely jobsite deliveries. Long-term federal transportation policy also affects commercial driver requirements, freight efficiency and infrastructure investment.
NLBMDA Priorities
NLBMDA has called for robust long-term infrastructure funding, streamlined CDL testing, transportation workforce development, improved freight efficiency and continued investment in freight rail and multimodal transportation programs.
Current Status
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved H.R. 8870 on May 22, 2026 by a 62-2 vote. The bill is awaiting further consideration by the full House.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA submitted formal recommendations to the Department of Transportation ahead of surface transportation reauthorization, including support for a state opt-in pilot allowing six-axle trucks to operate at up to 91,000 pounds. During committee consideration of the BUILD America 250 Act, lawmakers adopted a 10-year state pilot program allowing participating states to apply to DOT to increase truck weight limits to 91,000 pounds, advancing a longstanding NLBMDA transportation priority.
Active Priority | Workforce Tax Incentives
Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act
H.R. 6231 / S. 3265
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal employer tax credit designed to encourage the hiring of individuals from targeted groups that have faced significant barriers to employment, including certain veterans, SNAP recipients, long-term unemployed workers and other eligible individuals. WOTC authorization expired on December 31, 2025, and Congress has not yet reauthorized the credit for workers beginning employment in 2026.
What the Bill Does
The bipartisan legislation would extend WOTC through 2030, increase the value of the credit for qualifying hires, provide inflation adjustments to certain wage limits, remove the age limit for qualifying SNAP recipients and add qualified military spouses as an eligible targeted group.
Current Status
H.R. 6231 is before the House Ways and Means Committee and S. 3265 is before the Senate Finance Committee. With WOTC currently in a lapse, employers cannot claim the credit for new hires beginning work after December 31, 2025 unless Congress reauthorizes the program.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA is working alongside the Critical Labor Coalition to support reauthorization and modernization of WOTC and expand its use as a tool for connecting more workers with employment opportunities.
Active Priority | Commercial Drivers
LICENSE Act of 2025
H.R. 623 / S. 191
The Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act would make targeted changes to federal commercial driver's license testing and commercial learner's permit requirements.
Why It Matters to Dealers
CDL drivers are essential to dealer operations and product delivery. NLBMDA supports efforts to make the licensing process more efficient while maintaining safety requirements.
Current Status
H.R. 623 is before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and S. 191 is before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA is urging Congress to advance the LICENSE Act and incorporate reforms that streamline the CDL testing and credentialing process while maintaining federal safety standards.
Active Priority | Skilled Trades
CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025
H.R. 1055 / S. 189
The CONSTRUCTS Act would create a competitive grant program to expand residential construction education, skills training and career outreach through community colleges and career and technical education schools.
Why It Matters
A larger skilled-trades workforce supports homebuilding capacity and creates additional pathways into careers across residential construction and building material distribution.
Current Status
H.R. 1055 is before the House Education and Workforce Committee. S. 189 is before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA continues to advocate for passage of the CONSTRUCTS Act and is working with lawmakers to expand workforce training and career pathways for the residential construction industry.
Forestry
NLBMDA supports policies that strengthen forest health, improve wildfire resilience and help sustain a reliable domestic timber supply.
Active Priority | Wildfire & Forest Management
Fix Our Forests Act
H.R. 471 / S. 1462
The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act would expand and streamline federal tools intended to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, improve forest health and strengthen coordination across federal, state, tribal and local partners.
Why It Matters
Healthier, better-managed forests can reduce wildfire risks to communities while supporting the long-term availability of timber resources used throughout the building material supply chain.
Current Status
The House passed H.R. 471 in January 2025. The Senate Agriculture Committee reported S. 1462 with an amendment, and the bill is on the Senate legislative calendar.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA continues to urge the Senate to advance the Fix Our Forests Act and enact bipartisan forest management reforms that improve wildfire resilience and support a healthy domestic timber supply.
Active Priority | Timber Recovery
Disaster Reforestation Act
H.R. 262 / S. 1141
The Disaster Reforestation Act would change the tax treatment of qualifying casualty losses involving uncut timber, addressing challenges forest landowners can face after fires, storms and other disasters.
Why It Matters
Timber is a long-term crop. Providing a clearer path to recognize catastrophic losses can help landowners recover and reinvest in reforestation following a disaster.
Current Status
H.R. 262 was referred to House Ways and Means. S. 1141 was referred to Senate Finance.
NLBMDA Action
NLBMDA continues to urge Congress to pass the Disaster Reforestation Act to help forest landowners recover from catastrophic timber losses and reinvest in reforestation.
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