Tile Roofing Industry Alliance Lobbyist, Craig Brightup, has provided the latest government relations update and activities on the following:

September Jobs Figures
On Oct. 6, the Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said the economy created 336,000 jobs in September. This is much higher than ADP’s report that private growth totaled 89,000 jobs and the BLS household survey, which produces the unemployment rate, only going up by 86,000 jobs. This is because the BLS estimate of 336,000 jobs includes 151,000 part-time workers and 123,000 workers holding multiple jobs. In fact, the last three months the economy lost full-time jobs. Also, the single biggest job increase category in the 336,000 figure was government jobs.

Small Business Review Comments to OSHA Heat Standard Options
TRIA submitted comments on Oct. 3 on behalf of our Small Entity Representatives (SERS) as part of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) process for OSHA’s Heat standard. NRCA’s Rod Petrick (Ridgeworth Roofing, IL) and John Fleming (Weathercraft, CO) were SERs for Small Business Advocacy Review teleconferences to give feedback to OSHA and the comments follow up on the meetings. NRCA and TRIA have been working together on this in sessions facilitated by the law firm for the Employers Heat Illness Prevention Coalition.

House Oversight Hearing on OSHA
On Sept. 27, I attended the House Sbcmte. on Workforce Protections hearing, “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” where DOL Asst. Sec. for OSHA Doug Parker was roundly criticized by Republicans. Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), who TRIA met with during the April fly-in, blasted Parker for OSHA’s heat standard, and Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) asked how much the heat standard will cost small businesses (Parker doesn’t know), and why OSHA wants union reps to accompany inspectors in businesses with no unions (the Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process rule).
Sen. Cassidy on OSHA’s Walkaround Rule
Per today’s LAW360 newsletter, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the top Republican on the Senate labor committee who TRIA lunched with during the April fly-in, is strongly opposing OSHA’s Worker Walkaround rule that would have union reps accompany OSHA inspectors at workplace inspections, arguing it “inappropriately politicizes” workplace safety.

For more information on our Government Relations Committee or the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRIA) please email us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.tileroofing.org

Published by Sarah Harrington

Tile Roofing Industry Alliance Lobbyist, Craig Brightup, has provided the latest government relations update and activities as of October 1st, 2023:

Government Shutdown Averted
With hours to spare on Sept. 30, the last day of the federal fiscal year, Congress passed a continuing resolution funding the government until Nov. 17, including disaster relief but no assistance for Ukraine.  Speaker McCarthy (R-CA) needed Democrats’ help to pass the bill with 90 GOP members voting against it.

House Oversight Hearing on OSHA
On Sept. 27, I attended the House Sbcmte. on Workforce Protections hearing, “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” where DOL Asst. Sec. for OSHA Doug Parker was roundly criticized by Republicans.  Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), who TRIA met with during last year’s fly-in, blasted Parker for OSHA’s heat standard, and Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) asked how much the heat standard will cost small businesses (Parker doesn’t know), and why OSHA wants to let union reps accompany inspectors in businesses with no unions (the Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process rule).
OSHA Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Rulemaking
TRIA signed the attached Construction Industry Safety Coalition comments submitted Sept. 19 to OSHA’s rulemaking on Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in Construction.  At issue is the lack of clarity in the revision to existing regs that PPE must fit employees “properly.”
OSHA Silica Standard Enforcement
On Sept. 25, OSHA launched a new enforcement initiative to supplement its National Emphasis Program for Silica.  Asst. Sec. for OSHA Parker said it is aimed at stone cutting for countertops.
U.S. Extends Protected Status for Venezuelans
On Sept. 20, the Dept. of Homeland Security announced an 18-month extension/redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for individuals from Venezuela.  Thousands of construction workers are likely to be affected by this action which provides employment protection for Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. before July 31, affecting 242,700 with current status and 472,000 more under the redesignation. 
 Corporate Transparency Act
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) in the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 is to crack down on criminals who use shell companies to launder money.  The CTA’s requirements apply to businesses with under $5 million in annual revenues and fewer than 20 employees (32 million entities), but it’s unlikely criminals will report while legitimate businesses face paperwork, privacy risks, and fines.  Treasury also hasn’t finalized CTA regs for the Jan. 1 effective date so Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Chairman, Financial Services Cmte., introduced the Protecting Small Business Information Act to delay the CTA and TRIA signed the attached coalition letter in support of his bill.
For more information on our Government Relations Committee or the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRIA) please email us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.tileroofing.org

By Rick Olson, TRI President & Technical Director
 
The Tile Roofing Industry Technical Committee continues to evaluate the performance of the roofing assembly after the recent storms in Florida. Even though many of the events did not reach hurricane level, there were tornado, heavy rain, and tropical storm wind events that provided the opportunity for us to continue to understand the performance of steep slope applications.
 
The technical committee is reviewing all of the industry-based technical bulletins on our website to identify new ones or make revisions to our existing ones that we can make. Our goal is to have this completed by January 2024, and we welcome input or feedback from our members.
 
We continue to monitor the energy initiatives on the California legislative floor that continue to push towards white roof only options for steep slope. We are partnering with ARMA  (Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association) on this initiative.
 
The committee also continues to provide the table for discussions with the Solar industry to help create industry-based resources for proper training and installation guidelines.
 
Our Field Heat Study program moves forward with the installation of our first climate station which will be located in Rialto, California. Once online, we will be expanding to the other 9 climate zones.
 For more information on the activities of the TRI Alliance, please visit us at www.tileroofing.org