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 show attendees fighting period poverty, ISSA State Advocacy Leaders expanding influence and driving growth in 2025, ISSA’s January 28 webinar on How to Leverage International Cleaning Week 2026, and more.

Want to stay informed about critical government affairs impacting the cleaning and facility-solutions industry? Sign up here to have the ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update emailed directly to you every other week.

It was great connecting in-person with many of you at the ISSA show earlier this month—happy Thanksgiving from your ISSA Advocacy Team!

ISSA Advocacy

ISSA Rallies Hundreds of Show Attendees to Fight Period Poverty
What it means: On November 11, 2025, more than 300 ISSA Show North America attendees rolled up their sleeves at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to assemble 500 personal-care bags for women and girls in need across the Las Vegas area. The now-annual ISSA End Period Poverty Service Project marked its third year with its biggest impact yet.
Why it matters: “These 500 bags symbolize the 500 million people worldwide facing period poverty—those without reliable access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, or proper waste management,” said John Nothdurft, ISSA Director of Government Affairs. “Here in Nevada, one in seven women and girls ages 12 to 44 lives below the Federal Poverty Level. The need is real, and the cleaning and facility solutions industry continues to step up.”
What ISSA is doing: ISSA invites you to join our new End Period Poverty Advisory Council and be part of our advocacy efforts in Washington, DC, March 23-24, as we champion legislation to help end period poverty nationwide. Learn more

ISSA State Advocacy Leaders Expand Influence, Drive Growth in 2025
What it means: ISSA’s State Advocacy Leaders (SAL) program surged forward in 2025, expanding its ranks to 31 leaders nationwide and amplifying the industry’s voice at the federal and state levels.
Why it matters: Launched in 2024, the SAL program strengthens advocacy for the cleaning and facility solutions industry by mobilizing ISSA members as grassroots and grass-tops champions to further impact federal and state legislation important to the industry.

“In 2025, we significantly expanded the reach and engagement of our nascent State Advocacy Leaders program,” said ISSA Senior Government Affairs Manager Stacy Seiden. “We’re grateful to our SALs for stepping up as industry leaders and driving positive change in the profession.”
What ISSA is doing: “We look forward to increasing both the size of the SAL program and the depth of its advocacy in 2026,” added ISSA Government Affairs Director John Nothdurft. Learn more & get involved

ISSA Webinar — How to Leverage International Cleaning Week 2026
Why you should attend: March 22–28 is International Cleaning Week, a time when the entire cleaning supply chain celebrates the value of clean! How will your business recognize your employees, thank your customers, and demonstrate the value of clean during this week dedicated to our industry? No matter where you work around the globe, join us for ideas and insights to jump start your ICW planning and register for this free webinar at 12 pm CT on January 28. Learn more & register now

YOU should be in this photo next spring!

Take Advantage of Early-Bird Registration for the 2026 Clean Advocacy Summit
Now more than ever, Congress is debating the issues that directly impact your business and our industry. Be part of the conversation at the 2026 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, March 23–24 in Washington, DC—the premier fly-in event for the cleaning and facility solutions community.

Join industry leaders to advocate for policies that shape our future—from labor shortages and supply-chain resilience to healthy workplaces, workforce development, and ending period poverty.

Why You Should Attend

• Gain exclusive insights into federal policies impacting your business now and in the years ahead.
• Meet face-to-face with your congressional delegation during our “Hike the Hill” visits.
• Connect with industry leaders from across the country.
• Learn from Washington insiders and top advocacy experts.
• Level up your advocacy skills with practical, hands-on training.
• Celebrate our industry at the inaugural International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner!

What Your Colleagues Are Saying

“I thoroughly enjoyed the education, networking, venue, and overall experience. The ISSA team did an incredible job—highly recommend!”
— Rachel Sanchez, CEO, Prestige Maintenance USA

“A great way to advocate for your business and make lasting connections within the industry.”
— Krista Plewes, Head of Marketing, Citron Hygiene

“I love being part of this group and advocating for change in our industry!”
— Iris Verdi, Strategic Account Manager, Healthcare, KBS

Don’t wait—early-bird registration is available through January 15! Space is limited for this high-impact event. Learn more & register now

Thank you to ISSA member companies The Germ Girl/Elite Facility Systems, Kaivac, and Verde Clean for their recent contributions to the ISSA Advocacy Fund at the Supporter level.

Additional Updates

Legislative & Regulatory

Federal Agencies Reopen, Employees Return to Work
The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history came to an end November 12 after the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate-passed funding package, and President Trump signed the bill into law. The bipartisan legislation extends funding for most agencies until January 30 and includes three bills that fund other parts of the government, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, rural development, military construction, Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch, through September 2026. Learn more (CBS News)

What Employers Must Do Now as the Government Shutdown Ends (JD Supra)

IRS Offers Penalty Relief for Reporting Tips, Overtime Pay
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service released new guidance that eases reporting obligations for businesses regarding cash tips and overtime compensation for the 2025 tax year. This move is in response to challenges introduced by new disclosure requirements under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

Notice 2025–62 states that employers and other payors will not be penalized in 2025 for failing to separately itemize cash tips or disclose the occupation of tip recipients. Similarly, there will be no penalties for not splitting out qualified overtime compensation on returns or statements during this period. The dispensation is available only if other aspects of the filings are accurate and complete. Learn more here (MSN) & here (IRS)

EPA Proposes Exemptions for PFAS Reporting Requirements
The Trump administration proposes loosening requirements for companies to report on their uses of “forever chemicals.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is moving to exempt some companies that make or import these chemicals from requirements to report them. Specifically, if PFAS make up 0.1 percent or less of an item or mixture, the company that makes it would be exempt from the reporting requirement. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the change would reduce costs for industry. Learn more (The Hill)

Judicial

Supreme Court Appears Skeptical in Tariff Arguments
U.S. Supreme Court justices earlier this month expressed skepticism about the legality of tariffs imposed by President Trump against most nations. Lower federal courts ruled that Trump lacked the legal authority that he cited under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose the so-called reciprocal tariffs on imports from many U.S. trading partners, and fentanyl tariffs on products from Canada, China, and Mexico.

It is not clear when the Supreme Court will release its ruling, but the Trump administration has asked for the decision to be expedited. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a court filing in September, said that the U.S. might have to refund $750 billion or more if the Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs are illegal and if it waited until next summer to issue that ruling. Learn more (CNBC)

State & Local News

New Year, New Employment Laws
As the calendar turns to 2026, employers across the country face a fresh wave of labor and employment law changes that will reshape workplace compliance, employee rights, and business operations. From expanded protections for gig workers and whistleblowers to new rules governing employment contracts, data privacy, and workplace transparency, this year’s legislative updates reflect a growing emphasis on accountability and adaptability in the modern workforce. Learn more (Littler)

Minimum Wage Increases

CA’s Annual Minimum Wage Increase: On January 1, 2026, California’s minimum wage will increase from US$16.50 to $16.90 per hour. Also on January 1, 2026, several local municipalities in California will increase their minimum wage rates. Learn more (JD Supra)

Santa Fe Minimum Wage Increase Gains Support, Concern: Santa Fe officials, including Mayor Alan Webber, and organizations like the Food Depot are advocating for a minimum wage increase to US$17.50, aiming to address affordability and make the city more attractive for residents, while the local community expresses concern about the potential impact on businesses and the city. Learn more (KOAT 7)