As a reminder, the 2026 Federal Legislative Fly-in is just around the corner, and registration will open soon. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to listen to a recently released NASBP Let’s Get Surety Podcast episode, “Advocacy Impact: Influencing Legislation and Safeguarding the Surety Industry,” showcasing the importance of attending the Fly-in and featuring the NASBP Chair and Vice Chair of the NASBP Government Relations Committee, Alan Starks and Matt Cocco, respectively. Also, the hotel room block is now open, but rooms are limited so don’t delay in reserving yours. The Fly-in will kick off on Tuesday, February 24, with an afternoon “Washington Program” and a welcome reception at the host hotel, the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill. Wednesday, February 25, will be dedicated to Capitol Hill appointments.

In the meantime, here are a few legislative items NASBP has been working on in advance of the 2026 Fly-in. As in previous years, a top legislative priority for the Fly-in will be to garner support for S.570/H.R.1285, the bipartisan “Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act.” This bipartisan bill strengthens the Water Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (WIFIA) program by requiring appropriate bonding for all projects, including public-private partnerships (P3s). S.570/H.R.1285 was reintroduced in the 119th session of Congress by U.S. House of Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) and U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). To date, H.R. 1285 has 17 co-sponsors.  Over the past few months, NASBP has visited Senators and particularly those who serve on the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, which has jurisdiction over the bill, seeking co-sponsorships of S.570. Those Senate visits included meetings with the offices of U.S. Republican Senators Jerry Moran (KS), Pete Ricketts (NE), Roger F. Wicker (MS), Ashley Moody (FL), Tim Scott (SC), Jon Husted (OH), Cynthia M. Lummis (WY), and John R. Curtis (UT) and U.S. Democratic Senators Angela D. Alsobrooks (MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Alex Padilla (CA), Mazie K. Hirono (HI), and Chris Van Hollen (MD). The goal of the 2026 Fly-in will be to continue to garner support of these legislative proposals in the House and Senate.

In addition, NASBP, the American Subcontractors Association (ASA), the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA)—all of whom are members of the Construction Industry Procurement Coalition (CIPC), support H.R. 4615, the “Small Business Payment for Performance Act of 2025,”  which requires prompt payment to contractors for change orders. H.R. 4615 was introduced by NASBP friend, Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN).  This summer, Congressman Stauber’s office issued a press release, which included a supporting statement from NASBP and others. H.R. 4615 is vitally important to subcontractors to maintain cash flow, ensuring they can meet their financial obligations and maintain stability in their operations. In addition to those seven co-sponsors, NASBP, ASA, and others will continue to seek support for this legislation.

Finally, NASBP continues to have conversations with House members who serve on the House Committee on Agriculture about including bonds for the buildout for the Broadband ReConnect Program, which is funded through the authorization of the Farm Bill. This issue will be a top priority for the 2026 Fly-in attendees to address in February.