Bob Helland, director of congressional and federal affairs, and I recently returned from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) fly-in to Washington, D.C. NALP represents the lawn care and landscape industry and is often focused on similar legislative priorities to those of GCSAA, so it was interesting to experience and observe how NALP hosts their annual lobby event. Everything from the hotel selection and meeting space to the guest speakers, community service project and lobby day caught my attention. The government affairs team at GCSAA is always looks for ways to enhance our advocacy efforts and it’s valuable to look to our peers for ideas and inspiration, and on this trip, I got plenty of that.

Part of the inspiration for the first annual National Golf Day community service project we recently held at the National Mall came from NALP’s Renewal & Remembrance, an event NALP has hosted for more than 20 years at Arlington National Cemetery. This half-day turf restoration project takes place on some of the most hallowed property in Washington and beautifying the ground where those who gave the ultimate sacrifice lay was truly a memorable experience.

The following day was lobby day on Capitol Hill. The morning started with a breakfast at the majestic Kennedy Caucus room in the Russell Senate building, named for the trio of brothers who each served as U.S. Senators. The breakfast provided an opportunity for attendees to meet others from their state they would be advocating alongside. NALP staff spoke on critical issues to be discussed throughout day and provided tips for speaking with members of congress and their staffs.

Topics presented in Congressional offices included re-authorization of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA), which helps fund the EPA Office of Pesticide Programs; regulatory reform regarding the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); and the need for additional visas and more predictability within the H-2B seasonal worker program. Having visited the offices of five senators and one representative, I can report that there is support for these issues and some of them are moving forward.

The House has passed PRIA and FIFRA bills supported by GCSAA, and a long term H-2B reform measure has been introduced with 28 co-sponsors, but the Senate has been slow to act as they’ve been focused on other priorities. However, the PRIA measure is moving forward and was recently passed unanimously out of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) has introduced legislation to reform the regulatory duplication in the NPDES permitting program, which has received bi-partisan co-sponsorship, and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) has introduced an H-2B visa reform bill strongly supported by Republican leadership and many Democrats. The struggle is now for floor time.

The process can seem very slow and difficult, but GCSAA’s government affairs team will continue to work diligently to educate and find support within Congress to carry these issues over the finish line. It was an honor to participate in the three day NALP event, and I look forward to preparing for 2018 National Golf Day, which we anticipate will be the biggest and best yet.

Michael Lee
GCSAA manager, government affairs