Government Affairs

�鶹�� ON CAPITOL HILL

The combined efforts of �鶹��’s dedicated legislative staff, reinforced by committed active members directly impacts the legislative process and regulatory environment to ensure the growth of our industry. We lobby for or against regulations and work with executive governmental agencies and elected officials to create regulations and define enforcement measures and consequences. �鶹�� takes a strong leadership role on Capitol Hill with plans of actions such as, SMACPAC, The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Political Action Committee.

�鶹�� National Headquarters 4201 Lafayette Center Drive Chantilly, Virginia 20151 Tel: (703) 803-2980

Inquiry Form

PRIORITY ISSUES: 119TH CONGRESS - FIRST SESSION

�鶹�� works to be involved in issues that directly affect members.

R&D Tax Credit AND Section 179

SUPPORTS extension of key 2017 Tax Act provisions for bonus equipment depreciation and sub chapter S provisions.

Change Order Reform

SUPPORTS Small Business Payment for Performance Act, to provide at least 50% of change order amount on approval and expedited resolution of remainder post-certification.

The SAFER Banking Act

SUPPORTS reintroduced bills to provide access to federal banking system for cannabis-related industry payments.

Commercial Building Conversion Tax Credits

SUPPORTS Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act by enacting 20% conversion tax credits with larger credits for rural, distressed and/or areas with older buildings.

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act

SUPPORTS bill to improve IAQ in public schools across the United States.

The Airborne Act

SUPPORTS incentivizing non-residential building owners to conduct indoor air quality assessments (IAQ) and upgrade their ventilation and air filtration systems.

�鶹�� GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS STAFF

Stan E. Kolbe, Jr

Executive Director of Government and Political Affairs, �鶹��

Jared Karbowsky
Director, Government & Political Affairs

Denise Murphy McGraw, CAE
Special Assistant for Political Affairs

Belen Pifel
Director of Operations

Erica Anderson
Administrative Assistant

LATEST LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ACTIVITY

Industry Backs Bipartisan Push for Better School Indoor Air Quality

�鶹��, ASHRAE weigh in on reintroduced legislation.

Sep 4, 2025

Illinois Releases 2025 Prevailing Wage Rates: Ensuring Fair Pay Across Public Projects

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) released the updated 2025 prevailing wage rates for construction trades across all 102 counties.

Aug 26, 2025

New York Slashes EmPower+ Funding: Union Contractors Face Uncertain Pipeline

Potential cuts threaten retrofit jobs and climate progress.

Aug 26, 2025

HVAC, Sheet Metal Industries Rally to Protect 179D Tax Deduction

Senate version of reconciliation package targets tax deduction prized by HVAC industry groups

Jun 27, 2025

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CEA Interview: Katie Thomson (FAA)

Seth Lennon sits down with Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to talk about some of the work being done to improve safety and efficiency at our nation's airports and the role that our industry plays in making these

May 22, 2024

CEA National Issues Conference Interview: Julie Su

Seth Lennon sits down with the Acting Secretary of Labor to talk about some of the workforce-related issues confronting our industry.

May 15, 2024

�鶹�� Urges Congress to Pass FAA Reauthorization

�鶹�� contractors are working on almost every significant airport expansion, upgrade or new construction project across the nation, activity that would be funded and enhanced by H.R. 3935.

May 8, 2024

SMACPAC Ambassadors Cohosted Political Event for Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez

Small business champion has led the charge on issues such as tax incentives for public and private business HVAC retrofits, change order reform, infrastructure and small business grants for loans and business expansion.

May 1, 2024

Stan Kolbe Meets with Rep. Kevin Mullin

California congressman is a leader on several of �鶹��'s legislative priorities.

May 1, 2024

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Support the SMAC Administrative Fund

Read more about our SMACPAC goals and the work of the SMAC Administrative Fund.

Apr 24, 2024

SMACPAC Joins Rep. Henry Cuellar at NBA Game

Texas Congressman is a leading champion on many key policies, including childcare for registered apprentices, infrastructure, Davis-Bacon and boosting skilled workforce training efforts in Texas and nationally.

Apr 17, 2024

Tell Your Senators to Vote Yes on H.R. 7024 - Pass Equipment, R&D Tax Incentives

H.R. 7024 addresses �鶹��’s top tax priorities - extensions to the bonus depreciation, equipment expensing, and R&D tax credits. After passage in the U.S. House, Senate approval of H.R. 7024 will save hundreds of billions of dollars for industry

Apr 10, 2024

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Urge Your Senator to Support Critical Tax Legislation

The Tax Relief for America’s Families and Workers Act contains several items of importance to �鶹�� contractors, including Bonus Depreciation, Extension of 174 R&D credits, and expansion of 179 expensing and interest deductibility measures.

Mar 1, 2024

Re: �鶹�� Endorses Jessica Looman as DOL’s WHD Administrator - Track Record from Minnesota

�鶹�� views Ms. Looman as a highly competent, first-rate administrator supportive of a construction industry

Dec 1, 2023

�鶹�� Endorses Jessica Looman as Administrator of DOL’s Wage and Hour Division

Ms. Looman has made significant progress on important goals most labor and management organizations support.

Jan 30, 2023

�鶹�� Supports the House Committee Report Accompanying the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services

DOL must have the resources it needs to ensure ongoing compliance with these programs and meet the obligations placed upon it by Congress.

Dec 20, 2022

Re: Support the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act for Passage: Reform Banking System

The SAFE Banking Act would allow banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to offer banking services to legally operate cannabis businesses without fear of punishment by federal regulators.

Dec 17, 2022

Re: Upgrading Standards for Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Collectively, the changes recommended will ensure that apprentices receive broad-based, quality training that will provide them with marketable skills for their entire careers and further the DOL’s goal of “rebuilding the middle class” and

Dec 6, 2022

Re: Support The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act for Passage

The SAFE Banking Act would allow banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to offer banking services to legally operating cannabis businesses without fear of punishment by federal regulators.

Dec 5, 2022

�鶹�� Opposes S. 403 - Sen. Young (R-IN) - Legislation to Limit the Consideration and Appropriate U

Economics, not ideology, should drive PLA decisions.

Oct 17, 2022

�鶹�� ADVOCACY

Discover �鶹��'s stance on the critical issues shaping the industry, small businesses and your future. Take action today to drive impactful legislative change to help �鶹�� push priority issues across the goal line for lasting success.

SMACPAC's prime goal is to support legislators who will work to give our industry real attention and a fair chance on the Hill.  SMACPAC is the association’s commitment to political action and your investment in the future.

The SMAC Administrative Fund is active in every election cycle, supporting our political action committee's efforts to raise funds for candidates of both parties who promote union construction.

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