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Government Affairs News

March 2024 Government Affairs Recap

Apr 5, 2024

FY24 Government Funding has been completed but not without its fair share of dramatics. During the final vote, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) put Speaker Johnson ‘on notice’ by filing a motion to vacate. To bring this motion to the floor, Greene must ask the Chair for privilege to call up the resolution. The Speaker would then have two legislative days to hold a vote.

The margins in the House continue to get slimmer with additional resignations this month. Primary season is in full swing with eight primary elections having come and gone in March. Luckily, there were no surprises for our NECA allies, but we continue to monitor contentious races.


Legislative Action
2024 Fiscal Year Funding Finally Wrapped... 6 Months After the Fiscal Year Began
This month, both funding deadlines set by Speaker Mike Johnson were finally met. NECA was able to secure key wins in this years’ legislative funding:

  • Includes a $1 billion increase above 2023 for climate and energy resiliency.
  • $33.7 billion to procure Navy ships funding the construction of 8 battle ships.
  • The legislation rejected the House version to block the new independent contractor rule.
  • $285 million million for registered apprenticeship programs.
  • Continues to fully fund the SBA’s Veterans Certification program to certify Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.

Congress now begins work on FY25 funding. NECA will be closely monitoring its progress as the funding packages come together.


Regulatory Action
Apprenticeship Comments
On Monday, March 14, NECA submitted regulatory comments to the Department of Labor’s proposed rule on “National Apprenticeship System Enhancements.”

In its comments, NECA urged the Department of Labor to revise their proposed Career and Technical Education (CTE) apprenticeship program and rather focus on how to better uplift pre-apprenticeship programs. NECA cited multiple concerns with the newly proposed CTE apprenticeship program which may result in the deskilling or splintering of NECA’s traditional registered apprenticeship programs. This would cause severe safety concerns within the electrical industry and result in undercutting of competency skills needed for the construction industry.

Additionally, the comments note that the proposed rule’s ban on non-compete agreements could prohibit lawful, collectively bargained agreements in the construction industry that are negotiated for the benefit of workers, their unions, and signatory employees, including scholarship loan agreements. NECA supported the new definitions and guidelines surrounding National Guideline Standards in which NECA partners with the Electrical Training ALLIANCE (ETA) and our local Joint-Apprenticeship Training Centers across the country.


    2024 Legislative Conference Spotlight
    Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) Confirmed to Speak
    We are excited to announce that long-time NECA ally, Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS), has been confirmed to speak at the Legislative Conference. Sen. Marshall is a strong advocate for expanding the use of 529 plans to include pre-apprenticeship programs, expanding retirement security options, and ensuring a diverse energy production portfolio. Read his full bio here.

    Registration for the conference closes on April 15th. We need your voices and perspectives to continue the hard work of educating Congress on the issues that matter most to your companies and the electrical construction industry. View all event details and register here.

    The following states currently have no representation on NECA’s Hill Day. If you are a contractor in one of the following states, please consider registering for the Legislative Conference to advocate for our industry:

    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Iowa
    • Kentucky
    • Maine
    • Mississippi
    • Montana
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Oklahoma
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Wyoming


    NECAPAC Total
    $165,599

    Operational Fund Total
    $112,135

    PLC Renewals
    8

    Chapter Goals Met
    1

    Meetings Held
    19


    Upcoming Government Affairs Events
    2024 Legislative Conference – May 6-9 in Washington, DC
    Register today for the 2024 National Legislative Conference! We are excited to welcome you back to DC for NECA’s annual fly-in on May 6-9, 2024. Registration closes April 15th! We hope to see you there!

    2024 Political Leadership Council (PLC) Retreat – November 8-10 in Marco Island, FL
    We are excited to host you all for the 2024 Political Leadership Council Retreat in Florida the weekend following the 2024 elections. Reach out to the team if you are interested in learning more about the PLC!