Industry News > ISSA Leg. & Reg. Update – The Power of Showing Up

ISSA Leg. & Reg. Update – The Power of Showing Up

June 1, 2026

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 “power of showing up” for the cleaning and facility solutions industry through ISSA Advocacy, the new rules in Washington, an ISSA-member survey on the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed joint-employer rule, and more.

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The Power of Showing Up

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ISSA President Laurie Sewell, CEO and President of Servicon Systems Inc., knows firsthand that advocacy works, but only when our industry shows up. In this powerful article and companion video, Sewell shares why attending the ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, April 12–13, 2027, in Washington, DC, is one of the most important ways that cleaning and facility-solutions professionals can shape the policies affecting their business, employees, and customers. From building relationships with lawmakers to ensuring that policymakers understand the essential role of the cleaning industry, your voice truly makes a difference. Read the article and watch the video now

Power Shift: Inside the New Rules of Washington

Our nation’s capital is increasingly defined by dysfunction and that reality is reshaping policy for the cleaning and facility solutions industry. This article highlights the keynote address given by Brian Wild, Chief Government Relations Officer for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), at the 2026 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit. In his address, Wild touched on congressional dysfunction, the rising power of the executive branch, tariffs, extended producer responsibility, and what he referred to as an unprecedented convergence of Republican and Democratic priorities. His message was clear: those who show up, build relationships, and make their case in human terms are the people who eventually move the needle in Washington. Learn more.

Your Input Needed: DOL’s Proposed Joint Employer Rule

What it means: On April 23, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed a new rule redefining “joint employer” liability under federal wage and overtime laws.
Why it matters: This proposal could directly impact cleaning companies that rely on staffing agencies, subcontractors, franchise models, or vendor partnerships, including some building service contractors and residential cleaners. For them, the rule may reshape employer responsibilities, compliance obligations, and potential liability.
What ISSA is doing: ISSA is preparing formal comments for DOL to ensure that our industry’s voice is heard, but we need your real-world feedback first.

If your cleaning company could be affected, please complete ISSA’s brief survey by June 15 to help inform and strengthen our advocacy efforts. Take the survey now.

Additional Updates

Regulatory

Green Card Changes Could Force Hundreds of Thousands to Leave the U.S.

Most people applying for green cards from within the United States will be required to leave the country and apply through consulates abroad under significant changes announced by the Trump administration. The move will complicate the process for hundreds of thousands of people who seek permanent residency from within the U.S. each year and has sparked a backlash from immigration advocates. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the new policy in a May 21 memo, stating that green cards would be issued within the U.S. only for “extraordinary circumstances” and instructing immigration officers to make case-by-case determinations. Learn more (PBS News)

Legislative

Jumpstart Savings Act Introduced to Strengthen America’s Skilled Workforce

U.S. Representative Riley Moore (R-WV-2) introduced the bipartisan Jumpstart Savings Act (HR 7115) to help Americans save tax-free for careers in the trades, skilled labor, and apprenticeship-based professions while strengthening the nation’s workforce. The act would establish tax-advantaged savings accounts modeled after 529 college savings plans, allowing individuals and families to save for apprenticeship programs, trade certifications, tools, equipment, and small business startup costs associated with skilled professions. ISSA supports HR 7115 to address chronic labor shortages in the cleaning and facility solutions industry by expanding the pool of available Americans with the skills and training necessary to thrive in our profession. Learn more (Rep. Moore)

Judicial

Amazon Faces Class Action over Tariff-Cost Claims

U.S. consumers launched a proposed class action against Amazon in federal court in Seattle, claiming that the retailer unlawfully passed on tariff costs totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. The complaint was filed by two consumers from Maryland and Massachusetts and concerns purchases made between February 4, 2025, and February 20, 2026. Learn more (Yahoo Finance)

State News

Tennessee: Governor Bill Lee recently signed House Bill 1034 into law. The legislation makes two significant changes: 1) it prohibits employers from requiring, requesting, or enforcing a non-compete agreement against an employee who earns under US$70,000, and 2) it imposes rebuttable presumptions of reasonableness for the duration of restrictive covenants, most notably of two years or less for employees and independent contractors, and five years or less for sales of business. The new law takes effect on July 1 and applies prospectively to agreements entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date. Learn more (The National Law Review)

Colorado: HB26-1272 was passed by the Colorado legislature on the final day of session and is currently pending Governor Polis’ signature. The bill directs the Department of Labor and Employment to begin collecting data on temperature-related workplace injuries and develop a model prevention plan to address heat and cold hazards at work sites. (NAW)

Virginia: The Commonwealth enacted a paid sick leave law that will apply to nearly all employers in Virginia. Covered employees will be able to accrue an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The law will have a staggered implementation date by employer size. Learn more (Littler)

New Jersey: Lawmakers are considering a bill (A5010/S3688) that would give businesses a tax credit if they hire people who have been released from prison for nonviolent offenses. The credit would be 15% of the wages paid to each qualifying ex-offender, up to US$900 per person. (NAW)

Minimum Wage

Oklahoma: Oklahomans are about to decide on a statewide question that would raise the state’s minimum wage to US$15 per hour. State Question 832 is on the ballot during the June election. It’s the only state question on Oklahomans’ ballot during the primary election. The state question would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2029, starting with an increase to $9 per hour. After 2029, the minimum wage would continue to rise based on inflation. Learn more (KOCO News 5)