As the Senate works on its version of a Phase 4 coronavirus (COVID-19) relief package bill, the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) sent a letter detailing its priorities. The House of Representatives has already passed its version of the bill, which includes some priorities backed by the NLBMDA. The NLBMDA is also encouraging its members to weigh in on the upcoming Phase 4 legislation by contacting their elected officials.
The two main areas of focus in the NLBMDA’s letter to the Senate is ensuring the Phase 4 bill both maximizes small business relief and strengthens residential construction. The association is calling for the bill to protect employers from “unwarranted lawsuits” if companies make good-faith efforts to follow public health guidance. The letter also calls for an appropriate balance for unemployment insurance to incentivize the return to work.
“As the pandemic continues, dealers support the appropriate balance of robust federal unemployment assistance and incentives to return to the workplace,” Jonathan Paine, CEO and president of the NLBMDA, wrote in the letter to legislators.
The letter requests improving the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for LBM dealers and other businesses by making the loans accessible for 501(c)(6) organizations and providing clarity on the extension of the covered period to 24 weeks. The NLBMDA also requested an allocation of an additional $250 billion for PPP loans and forgiveness for all PPP loans under $250,000.
In order to strengthen residential construction, the NLBMDA is asking the Senate to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) by including the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act in subsequent relief packages.
“This legislation would boost affordable housing development by increasing the amount of credits allocated to each state by 50% over a five year period,” Paine wrote.
The letter also calls for efforts to improve safety in the workplace, particularly related to workforce testing.
“LBM dealers are working to protect their employees and need greater access to tests,” Paine wrote. “To protect LBM workers, NLBMDA suggests: Boosting PPE availability for both LBM dealers and construction; Increase federal funding for COVID-19 tests; Distribute the 100 million swab tests to states immediately; and Issue a rulemaking and/or guidance to ensure uniformity across the states regarding access to tests.”
The National Association of Home Builders also recently outlined its priorities for a Phase 4 relief legislation in a letter to legislators.
