Why government affairs matter to every roofing professional

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

The policies shaping the future of roofing. 

As I begin my service on the board of directors for the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), one of the most valuable parts of the onboarding process has been gaining a deeper understanding of the association’s government affairs efforts. While many roofing professionals immediately think of technical education, workforce development or industry networking when they think of NRCA, the reality is that advocacy plays an equally important role in protecting and advancing the roofing industry.

During a recent onboarding session, NRCA Vice President of Government Affairs Duane Musser provided an update on the legislative and regulatory issues that continue to impact roofing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and construction professionals across the country. The presentation reinforced just how important it is for roofing professionals to understand the policies being debated in Washington, D.C. and how those decisions directly affect businesses, jobs and long-term industry growth.

One of the key takeaways from the presentation was that government policy is not an abstract issue. It directly affects profitability, workforce availability, tax planning, energy incentives and training opportunities. NRCA continues to advocate for tax policies that support roofing businesses, including maintaining the Section 199A deduction for pass-through businesses, preserving the 21% corporate tax rate, maintaining estate tax exemptions and restoring full deductions for research and development costs. The association also continues to support provisions that allow full expensing for nonresidential roof improvements under Section 179.

These tax policies matter because they influence investment decisions, business growth and succession planning for roofing companies of every size. For many contractors, these policies can determine whether they purchase new equipment, expand operations or invest in additional employees. Tax issues have also been a major focus of Roofing Day in Washington, D.C. for several years, demonstrating how important these policies are to the future success of roofing businesses.

At the same time, NRCA is closely monitoring changes to federal energy efficiency incentives. Several energy-related tax credits and deductions are being phased out over the next one to two years, including incentives tied to commercial building energy efficiency, residential energy-efficient construction and renewable energy investments. While future opportunities may emerge, the current landscape highlights the need for roofing professionals to stay informed as energy policy continues to evolve and impact project opportunities.

Workforce development remains another critical priority for the roofing industry. The update included discussions around the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which provides funding and support for workforce training programs across the country. NRCA supports reforms that would streamline administrative requirements, expand access to competency-based training and certification programs and increase employer representation on workforce development boards. These efforts align directly with the roofing industry's ongoing need to recruit, train and retain skilled workers.

The association is also continuing its advocacy efforts around Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding. Through support of Perkins Career and Technical Education grants and other workforce initiatives, NRCA is helping expand opportunities for students and future trades professionals to pursue careers in roofing and construction. The association has successfully advocated for increased funding over the years and continues working to expand career and technical education opportunities that help build the industry's future workforce.

As someone who has spent decades advocating for workforce development through industry media, associations and educational initiatives, it was encouraging to see how much focus NRCA continues to place on creating pathways into the roofing profession. Developing the next generation of roofing professionals remains one of the most important challenges and opportunities facing our industry.

Another important topic discussed during the onboarding session was immigration legislation and workforce availability. NRCA continues to support efforts that improve access to legal workforce programs, including maximizing the effectiveness of the H-2B seasonal visa program. The presentation also highlighted legislative proposals that could create additional workforce opportunities through expanded visa programs designed to address labor shortages in critical industries.

Regardless of individual political viewpoints, one fact remains clear: roofing companies across the country continue to face workforce shortages. Industry leaders need to understand the policy discussions surrounding workforce availability because these decisions directly impact the ability of contractors to meet customer demand, complete projects and grow their businesses.

One of the reasons I have always valued industry associations is their ability to serve as the collective voice of the industry. Individual roofing companies often do not have the time or resources to monitor every legislative proposal, regulatory change or policy debate occurring at the federal level. NRCA's government affairs team provides tremendous value by staying engaged in these discussions and ensuring the roofing industry's perspective is represented.

The issues discussed during this onboarding session are not future concerns. They are current issues affecting contractors today. Tax policy influences business investments, workforce legislation impacts hiring, career and technical education affect the future labor pipeline and energy policies shape product demand and project opportunities. Understanding these issues helps roofing professionals make better business decisions while ensuring our industry continues to have a strong voice in the policymaking process.

As I begin my service on the NRCA Board of Directors, I am even more convinced that advocacy is one of the most important services our industry association provides. The work happening behind the scenes in Washington, D.C. may not always make headlines, but it has a profound impact on the future of roofing. I am particularly honored to be serving on the PAC Advisory Committee, which helps raise funds to support ROOFPAC, NRCA’s political action committee, which helps ensure that bipartisan lawmakers understand the issues affecting roofing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and workers across the country. Supporting advocacy through NRCA and ROOFPAC helps strengthen our industry's voice and protect the future of roofing for generations to come.

For roofing professionals who want to make a difference, there has never been a better time to get involved. I encourage contractors and industry leaders to become members of NRCA and learn more about supporting ROOFPAC. Together, we can help ensure the roofing industry remains represented on critical issues including workforce development, tax policy, career and technical education, energy incentives and regulatory reform. To learn more, visit NRCA's ROOFPAC program and consider becoming an active participant in shaping the future of our industry.