Welcome to the latest ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update, a biweekly round up of the public policies currently impacting the cleaning and facility solutions industry. This update touches on the U.S. Senate passing the WIPPES Act, ISSA requesting your perspective on tax reform, reinforcing the message that our advocates brought to Capitol Hill as part of the 2026 Clean Advocacy Summit, and more.

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ISSA Advocacy

Senator Merkley announced Senate passage of the WIPPES Act at the 2026 International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner on March 23.

Senate Passes WIPPES Act
What it means: In a major legislative victory for the cleaning and facility solutions industry and ISSA, the U.S. Senate passed the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act (S. 1092) under unanimous consent on March 22, 2026.
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 “Do Not Flush” labeling requirement establishes a simple solution through consistent on-package consumer education.
What ISSA is doing: “The WIPPES Act is a straightforward and practical approach to addressing the preventable challenges caused by the improper disposal of non-flushable wipes in the nation’s wastewater system,” said John Nothdurft, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for ISSA. “Enacting this legislation will meaningfully protect public infrastructure and the environment. The association looks forward to continuing to work with its coalition partners to achieve similarly swift passage of the act in the U.S. House of Representative and the subsequent signing of the bill into law.” 

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), who introduced the legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), announced Senate passage of the WIPPES Act as part of the inaugural ISSA International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner on March 23 in Washington, DC. Learn more

ISSA Advocacy Needs Your Perspective on Tax Reform
What it means: ISSA Advocacy, in collaboration with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, is collecting member accounts of how the tax provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” are playing out on the ground—and wants to turn those accounts into advocacy content for Capitol Hill.
Why it matters: Policymakers respond best to real business voices. Stories from our member companies give ISSA’s lobbying credibility that policy briefs can’t replicate. We’re looking for:

• Pro-family employee benefits (paid leave, childcare, flex programs)
• Estate/death-tax relief for rural or ag-connected businesses
• Specific wins from provisions like the 199A deduction, 21% corporate rate, or 100% expensing
• Workforce investments triggered by the law—raises, training, new benefits

What ISSA is doing: Our ask of members like you is flexible—a quote, short video, or full op-ed. ISSA Advocacy will help you tell your story in whichever format you’re comfortable with and nothing will be published without your approval. Share your story now

Questions? Contact ISSA’s Vice President of Government & Public Affairs John Nothdurft.

Take Action Now: Reinforce Our Message to Congress
On March 24, 140+ cleaning and facility solutions industry leaders championed the industry and its legislative priorities on Capitol Hill as part of the 2026 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit. But you didn’t have to attend the summit to share our message with Congress.

Take two minutes to email, post on X, and/or call your members of Congress and urge their support for three key priorities that advance safer products, strengthen our workforce, and help our industry grow.

🧪 Authorize EPA’s Safer Choice Program: Congressional authorization would strengthen this proven, voluntary, science-based program, supporting safer chemistry, U.S. innovation, and helping purchasers easily identify effective cleaning products.

💼 Improve & Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit: Our industry employs many of the workers WOTC was designed to support—veterans, SNAP recipients, and returning citizens. Yet the credit hasn’t been updated in 27 years and expired last year. Bipartisan legislation would renew and index it to inflation so that the credit remains relevant and effective.

👷‍♀️ Address Cleaning Industry Labor Shortages: Our industry includes 1.2 million businesses and nearly 4 million workers, yet employers still struggle to fill year-round positions. Bipartisan proposals, including the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act and Dignity Act, would create pathways to help meet workforce needs.

Your outreach today helps reinforce the message that our advocates delivered during the 2026 summit: the cleaning industry protects public health and powers the U.S. economy. Take action now and help strengthen our industry’s voice

Natasha Magrath of You’ve Got Maids of Northern Virginia at the 2026 International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner on March 23

Left to right: ISSA Vice President of Government & Public Affairs John Nothdurft with Tom Friedl of HOSPECO at the 2026 International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner

ISSA Honors 2026 Advocates of the Year
ISSA is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 ISSA Advocate of the Year Awards. The awards were presented at the association’s inaugural 2026 International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner, which took place in Washington DC on March 23. ISSA selects these award recipients yearly with input from its Government Affairs Advisory Committee.

The recipients of this year’s awards are Natasha Magrath, President and CEO of You’ve Got Maids of Northern Virginia representing end users, and Tom Friedl of HOSPECO Brands Group representing the supply chain. Learn more

Reps. Salazar & McBride Receive ISSA’s 2026 Awards for Outstanding Government Service
ISSA is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 ISSA Outstanding Government Service Awards presented during the 2026 International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner in conjunction with the association’s Clean Advocacy Summit. The award recipients were selected by ISSA with input from its Government Affairs Advisory Committee. The recipients of this year’s awards are U.S. Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Sarah McBride (D-DE). Learn more

Additional Updates

Legislative

Dignity Act Surpasses 75 Stakeholder Endorsements
Support for the Dignity Act (HR 4393) continues to grow with the legislation now surpassing 75 endorsements from organizations across the faith, business, national security, and civic sectors, including ISSA. Supporters represent a wide range of voices, reflecting broad national support for restoring order to the immigration system while strengthening our communities and workforce. The Dignity Act was one of four bipartisan bills that attendees advocated for as part of the 2026 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit. U.S. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), a 2026 recipient of ISSA’s Outstanding Government Service Award, introduced the legislation with Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX). Learn more (CMM)

Regulatory

OSHA Launches Safety Champions Program to Advance Workplace Safety, Health
In an effort to promote workplace safety, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched the Safety Champions Program, a new initiative designed to help employers develop and implement effective safety and health programs. The Safety Champions Program encourages businesses to take proactive steps with a philosophy of continuous improvement to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The program has three progressive steps—introductory, intermediate, and advanced—each aligned with OSHA’s recommended practices for safety and health programs. Learn more (CMM)

Tariffs & Trade

US Customs Agency: Tariff Refund System Progressing, Payments May Take up to 45 days
The U.S. customs agency said that it was making progress in setting up a streamlined process for refunding some US$166 billion in tariff collections deemed illegal ​by the Supreme Court, but that its new system could take up to ‌45 days to review and process refund applications.

In a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection official Brandon Lord said that development of a new refund claims portal, review, processing, and refund ​system is now between 60% and 85% complete. He did not provide a ​start date for applications, but the agency previously indicated a 45-day goal, a deadline ⁠that ends in late April. Learn more (Reuters)

• Trump administration launches Section 301 trade probes into Mexico, China, EU, others (CNBC)
• Washington begins USMCA negotiations with Mexico (Yahoo Finance)

State News

Washington: Governor Ferguson signed HB 2471 into law, creating a state-level system to guarantee collective-bargaining rights for private-sector workers not covered by the National Labor Relations Act.

Wisconsin: Senate passes US$133 million package to combat “forever chemicals,” sends bills to Governor (AP)

Virginia: Bill mandating ingredient labels on menstrual products heads to Spanberger (Virginia Mercury)

California: Businesses prepare for EPR, recyclability laws amid lawsuit (ESG Dive)

New Hampshire: HB 1544 would prohibit the use of scented products in public areas of state buildings, including scented cleaning products and scented products in restrooms. ISSA opposes and is closely monitoring this legislation.

Other: Recent employment laws and legislative proposals (Littler)