NASBP Focal Point – January 21, 2026

Federal Report

Federal: The House is in session this week while the Senate is out and the key focus continues to be funding the federal government. Significant strides have been made and it appears a government shutdown is now less likely. House and Senate leadership have reached a compromise deal to fund the Departments of Homeland Security, and Defense. Sources indicate that votes in the House are expected later this week on the Homeland Security funding bill (separately) followed by votes on the minibus funding package which includes funding for Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. The deadline for these funding bills to clear both chambers is January 30 to avoid a government shutdown.

Registration for the 2026 Fly-in is now open. The Fly-in will kick off on Tuesday, February 24, with an afternoon “Washington Program,” which includes political remarks by Amy Walter followed by a welcome reception at the host hotel, the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill. Wednesday, Feb. 25, will be dedicated to Capitol Hill appointments, which will be secured on attendees behalf. While the room block has sold out, there are several alternate hotels located within a block of the Hilton. Please see “Additional Program Info & Reserve Your Hotel Room” which includes links to alternate hotels. During their meetings, Fly-in attendees will address the importance of securing bonds for the construction of broadband contracts and requiring bonds for projects funded by the Water infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA), as described in H. R. 1285/S.570. Those two policy items are included in the recently released 2026 Government Relations Agenda. As a reminder, registration is open and free to NASBP producer, affiliate and associate members BUT you must register so our outside consultant can secure your capitol hill appointments.

State Report

FL HB 543 (McFarland) Amends section 337.18 (surety bonds for construction or maintenance contracts) by allowing the FL Department of Transportation, when it declares a default on the part of a contractor, and the surety to enter into a takeover agreement requiring the surety’s completion contractor to meet the prequalification requirements of the original contract. The bill requires the surety to follow the contract’s procedures pertaining to the contract’s completion and to certify payment disbursements to subcontractors. The surety industry is actively preparing amended bill language. Our sources indicate that the legislation is being supported by the FL Transportation Builders Association. HB 543 was referred to the House Committee on Commerce and is scheduled to be heard on January 21. A companion bill was introduced as SB 1274. We will keep you posted on this matter moving forward.

MS HB 496 (Remak) Amends Section 31-5-51 (MS LMA) by increasing the bond threshold from $25K, to $75K for public works contracts. This same bill was introduced last session but failed to advance. HB 496 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

OK SB1510 (Hamilton) Prior to construction of a wind energy facility, the owner or operator shall file a surety bond with the Secretary of State in the amount of $100,000 in compliance with the Oklahoma Wind Energy Development Act.

VA SB 165 (McPike) amends 11-4.7 allows the use of retainage bonds in construction contracts, enabling contractors or subcontractors to provide a bond as security in place of cash retainage. When a contractor or subcontractor tenders a retainage bond, they can request the release of equivalent withheld retainage from the owner or general contractor, provided they are not in default. SB 165 is supported by the VA Chapter of the American Subcontractors Association and other construction related VA organizations. SB 165 was referred to Senate Committee for Courts of Justice.

If you are aware of any bills impacting the industry, please reach out to Larry LeClair, NASBP’s Director of Government Relations, and let us know.