Welcome to the latest ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update, a biweekly roundup of the public-policy issues currently impacting the full cleaning supply chain. This update touches on ISSA honoring 2025 outstanding industry advocates, urging Congress to support the WIPPES Act, the current uncertainty surrounding tariffs, and more.

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ISSA Advocacy

Jody Carroll of PowerX3 (middle) accepting the 2025 ISSA Advocate of the Year Award with Rep. Smucker (R-PA) (left), and John Nothdurft of ISSA (right) at ISSA’s Clean Advocacy Summit on March 31.

Raquel Carbonari of Tork, an Essity Brand accepting the 2025 ISSA Advocate of the Year Award at ISSA’s Clean Advocacy Summit on March 31.

ISSA Honors 2025 Advocates of the Year
What it means: ISSA is proud to announce the recipients of the fourth annual ISSA Advocate of the Year Awards. The recipients of this year’s award are Jody Carroll, CEO of PowerX3 Cleaning Solutions, and Raquel Carbonari, Brand Activation Director – North America at Tork, an Essity Brand.
Why it matters: “We thank Jody and Raquel for their inspiring advocacy on behalf of the cleaning and facility-solutions industry and congratulate them on being ISSA’s 2025 Advocates of the Year,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett.
What ISSA is doing: The awards were presented at the association’s 2025 Clean Advocacy Summit in Washington DC, March 31-April 1. Award recipients were selected by ISSA with input from its Government Affairs Advisory Committee. Learn more

Left to right: Rep. Smucker (R-PA) accepting the 2025 ISSA Outstanding Government Service Award with John Nothdurft of ISSA at ISSA’s Clean Advocacy Summit on March 31.

ISSA Awards Reps. Smucker & Gluesenkamp Perez for Outstanding Government Service
What it means: ISSA is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 ISSA Outstanding Government Service Awards. The recipients of this year’s award are U.S. Representatives Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-3).
Why it matters: “ISSA is proud to recognize Rep. Smucker for his leadership in sponsoring the HR 3734 – Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act, which would create a year-round temporary visa program, as well as HR 6833 – Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act,” said ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft. Nothdurft cited Representative Gluesenkamp Perez’s “leadership supporting common-sense legislation like the WIPPES Act (HR 2964/S 1350) that would create a Do Not Flush labeling requirement for non-flushable wipes packaging and the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (HR 1477/S 722) that would help professionals get training and certifications.”
What ISSA is doing: The 2025 ISSA Outstanding Government Service Awards were presented as part of the association’s Clean Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, March 31-April 1. Award recipients were selected by ISSA with input from its Government Affairs Advisory Committee. Learn more

Urge Congress to Support WIPPES Act
What it means: Take a moment to email, post on X, and/or call your congressional delegation to request their support for the bicameral and bipartisan Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act (HR 2269/S 1092). 
Why it matters: Due to the lack of consistent and clear disposal packaging instructions, non-flushable wipes are often flushed down the toilet. Since these types of wipes are not designed to be flushed, they can clog and damage pipes, pumps, and treatment equipment, resulting in increased operation and maintenance costs for clean water utilities.

The WIPPES Act’s common-sense “Do Not Flush” labeling requirement establishes a simple source-management solution through consistent on-package consumer education. It’s why this legislation has sustained diverse stakeholder endorsement from industry, clean water, environmental advocates, and civil engineering sectors.
What ISSA is doing: ISSA; INDA, the association of the nonwoven fabrics industry; as well as other groups representing the wipes industry and consumers are leading an effort to provide clarity to the wipes industry by urging Congress to adopt a uniform “Do Not Flush” labeling law. Use ISSA’s Advocacy Action Center to take action now

Tariff Uncertainty Continues
What it means: Uncertainty continues surrounding the Trump administration’s tariff policies with almost daily changes to the administration’s trade agenda. On April 2, Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on 60 trading partners and a 10% global tariff. Since then, he has announced a 90-day pause of the reciprocal tariffs, repeatedly increased the tariff rate on China (currently at 145%), announced an exemption on electronics and semiconductors, and threatened these products with industry-specific tariffs.

Deals with other trading partners may soon be reached. However, this will likely result in only partial relief from tariffs, according to the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. As of now, most countries have held off on retaliating against the U.S. hoping that they can strike a deal. The two exceptions to this are Canada, which recently retaliated with tariffs on vehicle imports, and China, which imposed a host of retaliatory tariffs, including 125% tariffs on U.S. exports and restrictions on export of key inputs such as rare earth minerals.

Source: National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

Why it matters: The current tariff situation and corresponding uncertainty have the potential to significantly impact the cleaning industry—from the supply chain of and access to cleaning components and products, to the price of those products and related services.
What ISSA is doing: Your ISSA Advocacy Team is tracking, engaging with policymakers, and educating our members on the fluid tariff situation. ISSA opposes tariffs on components and raw materials used for “essential” cleaning and safety products and equipment.

We want to hear from you. Please contact ISSA Government Affairs Director John Nothdurft and/or ISSA Senior Government Affairs Manager Stacy Seiden to share with us specific examples of how the current tariff situation is impacting your cleaning business to further inform our advocacy efforts. 

Additional Updates

Legislative

House Approves Budget Framework
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives approved a multitrillion-dollar budget framework that allows the party to begin the process of drafting legislation to enact key elements of President Trump’s domestic policy agenda, including tax cuts and spending on defense, energy, and immigration, NPR reports. House Republicans are preparing to begin marking up their reconciliation package as soon as Congress returns from its current two-week recess, with key action expected to start the week of April 28. Learn more

Democrats Introduce Legislation Raising Federal Minimum Wage
U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 in both legislative chambers with hopes of increasing the federal minimum wage, according to The Hill. The bill would raise the minimum wage to US$17 by 2030. The current federally mandated hourly wage is $7.25 and has not increased since 2009. Learn more

Regulatory & Judicial

EPA Updates Pesticide Registration Tracking App
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the latest version of its MyPest application. MyPest allows registrants of pesticide products to monitor the status of their pesticide registration submissions in real-time. Updates to MyPest include an enhanced dashboard page with information about the registrant’s cases and products, the ability to drill down into a detailed view of each application, and the capability to communicate with EPA staff directly within the application page. Learn more

Trump Signs Executive Order to Boost US Ocean Shipping
President Trump signed an executive order aimed at strengthening and repositioning the United States’ role in ocean shipping, Supply Chain Dive reports. The order directs government departments to create a “Maritime Action Plan” to upgrade port infrastructure, invest in workforce training, and expand U.S. shipbuilding. Executive agencies must submit the plan within 210 days of the date of the order following legislative, financial, and regulatory assessments. Learn more; US Eases Port Fees on China-Built Ships (Reuters) Learn more

Blocked DOL Overtime Rule Set for Review in Fifth Circuit
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) appealed a December 2024 Texas federal trial court’s decision that blocked a Biden-era overtime rule promulgated by the DOL, according to The National Law Review. This is the DOL’s second appeal following an appeal in November by the then Biden-led DOL of another Texas district court’s ruling that similarly vacated and set aside the overtime rule nationwide. Both cases were appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The decision by the Trump administration to appeal the most recent District Court ruling came as a surprise to some, as it’s believed by many that the Trump administration will look to review the 2024 overtime rule and possibly get rid of it all together. However, the decision to appeal allows the DOL to defend its practice of setting a salary threshold for overtime eligibility, although it appears likely that the Trump DOL would set the threshold minimum much lower—closer to the $35,500 threshold minimum set by the DOL during the first Trump administration. Learn more

State News

More Than 20 Bills Signed into WA Law
Twenty-six bills were recently signed into law in Washington state, including Second-Substitute House Bill 1524, which supports and expands on previous legislation enacted to protect isolated workers who are especially vulnerable to sexual violence in the workplace, NBC K5 News reports. Isolated employees are defined as workers who spend at least 50% of their time alone, for example, hotel, motel, and retail employees; security guards; janitors; and housekeeping staff. Learn more

CA Bill Would Ban Consumer Access to Antibacterial Soap
A bill (AB 916) introduced in the California Assembly would ban the sale of antibacterial soap products and have a negative impact on consumers’ health, according to the American Cleaning Institute. Legislation dubbed “The Safer Soap Act” makes spurious claims against the key antiseptic ingredients used in consumer antibacterial soaps that are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ISSA, along with many other national and state business groups, oppose this bill. Learn more

Minimum Wage Repeal Advances in NE Legislature
The Nebraska Legislature is considering a bill to roll back a 2022 voter-approved initiative that would raise the minimum wage in the state, Public News Service reports. Business groups say that the bill would create hardships for small companies. Legislative Bill 258 would undo the voter-passed measure, which would raise the hourly minimum wage by US$1.50 until it reaches $15 in 2026. Learn more

Measure to Require E-Verify for All FL Businesses Moves to House
The Florida Legislature passed a law two years ago that required employers with more than 25 employees to use E-Verify to vet the legal status of new hires. Now, a proposal (HB 955) that would require all private employers in Florida to use the E-Verify system to check each employee’s legal status won approval by its second committee in the House, and heads to the floor for a final vote, according to the Florida Phoenix. Learn more

WY Bans Most Non-compete Agreements
Wyoming banned most non-compete agreements starting July 1, 2025. Most agreements that restrict workers from working in competitive jobs will be void, absent some exceptions, The National Law Review reports. Learn more

Implementing MO Paid Sick Time
The earned paid sick time provisions of Proposition A are set to take effect on May 1, 2025. Missouri Proposition A requires employers to provide employees working in Missouri with at least 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked and allows carryover of up to 80 such hours per year. The law applies to almost all Missouri employees, including full-time, part-time, and temporary with limited exceptions, according to The National Law Review. Learn more