NARI is on the Hill. Fighting for YOUR rights as professionals in the remodeling industry.

Did you know? NARI’s involved with policy-making that impacts the remodeling industry. In accordance with NARI's strategic plan, NARI has hired Chris Spear, Nelson Mullins Riley Scarborough, LLP, based in Washington, D.C., to serve as NARI's lobbyist.

Take a look at the latest video of NARI Government Affairs Committee Chairman Bruce Case, CLC, and former NARI lobbyist Tom Sullivan as they discuss what regulations NARI is working on in Washington, what actions NARI has taken and how NARI members can help him make more of an impact.

Highlights from NARI’s legislative efforts include:

• Former NARI Government Affairs Chairman David Merrick, MCR, UDCP, testified before U.S. House Small Business Committee on the topic of "Regulatory Flexibility Act Compliance: Is the EPA Failing Small Business?" Watch the testimony here. Eighty NARI members also answered NARI's Call to Action to provide letters now archived as part of that hearing's record.
• NARI has partnered with the S-Corporation Association to jointly lobby for lower individual tax rates.
• NARI, and other allied associations that are part of the Residential Energy Efficient Tax Credit Industry Coalition, submitted a statement to the House Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures hearing in support of the 25C energy-efficient tax credit. Read that statement here.
• NARI supports both the House version, H.R. 5911, and the Senate version, S. 2148, of the Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012, which would add the opt-out option back into the EPA's Lead, Renovation, Repair & Painting Rule.
• NARI hosted the EPA via teleconference on Sept. 22, 2011, to answer NARI members' questions about the final Lead Renovation, Repair & Painting Rule. Click here for the PowerPoint presentation.
• NARI representatives have met with the EPA several times within the past year to discuss enforcement of the LRRP rule against non-certified firms.
• Sent a letter to Congress in support of repealing the 1099 requirement.
• Sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship about the impact of LRRP on NARI members.

Looking for ways to get involved? Bruce Case, CLC, Chairman of NARI's Government Affairs Committee, speaks to former NARI lobbyist Tom Sullivan about how members can get involved in NARI's advocacy work and how important their input is to NARI's overall efforts. By joining the key contact program, members are committing to respond to NARI's Calls to Action, as well as to encourage at least five other members to participate, too. Watch the video.

Other recent NARI actions include:

EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (LRRP): In 1986, under the Toxic Substances Control Act, there was a deadline for the EPA to adopt “regulations on renovation or remodeling activities.”

In December 2005, after several lawsuits from child advocacy and environmental groups, the EPA announced the new rules. NARI, through the work of its Government Affairs Committee, provided comment and opposition to the rules in May 2006. NARI pointed out its long history of educating its members on lead-safe work practices but pointed out, too, that the new rules did little to achieve the goal of “eliminating childhood lead poisoning by 2010.” NARI also estimated that the job costs would be raised by 15% and insurance costs by 28%.

Read more

Click here to read NARI’s reply to the EPA’s request for information about lead clearance testing.

Interior Design Legislation: For the past 10 years, a well-funded, well-organized group of interior designers have been lobbying state legislatures to impose arbitrary licensing restrictions on numerous professionals who are engaged in design work under the guise of consumer protection. Although the proposed legislation is varied, it always contains the key components of requirements to attend “approved” schools for education/training, a prescribed examination (which the majority of NARI members would not qualify to sit for) and prescribed long-term apprenticeships. This legislation has broad antitrust implications, confines business to a small group of designers and escalates costs to the consumer.

Because this legislation would restrict business for NARI members, NARI has been working closely with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), American Lighting Association (ALA), American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), the Interior Design Society (IDS), chapters of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and other organizations to defeat this act on a state-by-state basis. To date, NARI is monitoring bills introduced in Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

Health Care Reform (Merkley Amendment): On Dec. 22, 2009, NARI learned that Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) sponsored an amendment in the Senate version of the health care bill officially entitled, “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (H.R. 3590). This amendment mandates remodeling and construction business owners to provide health insurance coverage for more than five employees, while all other small business owners, outside of the construction industry, would be required to provide health insurance coverage for 50 or more employees. On Dec. 24, the Senate passed the bill with the inclusion of this amendment.

NARI polled its members, and 96% of the members expressed strong opposition to this amendment.

Read more.

Click here to read the amendment’s verbiage.

The Home Improvements Revitalize the Economy (HIRE) Act of 2009: H.R. 3382, or the HIRE Act, would provide consumers and businesses tax deductions and credits to offer relief to middle and low-income families for the purchase of home furnishings and building products used to improve their homes.

The HIRE Act would:
• provide a tax deduction of up to $2,000 per family ($1,000 per individual) for the purchase and/or installation of qualifying home furnishings or building products for families making up to $300,000/year ($150,000 for individuals).
• provide a tax credit of up to %500 per family ($250 pre individual) for the purchase and/or installation of qualifying home furnishings or building products for low-income families and individuals.
• Provide a 150% bonus of the applicable tax deduction or credit for the purchase and/or installation of qualifying home furnishings or building products that meet environmental standards.

Many NARI chapters are active in government affairs on a local level. Click here to find a NARI chapter near you.