Government Relations Committee | Richard Bodie, Chair | Frank Gandora, Vice Chair Based on the strategic direction in the US of the Government Relations Committee, the ICPI, the scope of the Committee will not just focus on federal issues but expand to regional, state, and municipalities. This new approach involves a multi-level strategy and will engage consultants at the federal, state, and local (municipal) level. This more grassroots focus will hopefully result in more local permeable interlocking concrete pavement projects specified.
US and use of PICP; support of the new infrastructure bill and use of PICP, and opposition to the PRO Act. •
Canadian virtual online PICP Symposium last August with Fredericton, London, and Calgary featured four speakers with 71 municipal government staff and professional design attendees from across Canada.
•
Future advocacy will concentrate on three areas:
The Committee expects that this change will better equip ICPI to advocate when and where most needed, promote positive changes, and defend the industry from potentially damaging legislation on a broader and timelier basis. At the 2021 Annual Meeting session: During the spring and early summer of 2020, the House Appropriations Committee adopted report language recommended by ICPI for inclusion in the
FY21 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Bill. The
language encourages the US Federal Highway Administration to conduct comprehensive work on permeable pavements for flood mitigation and other public policy priorities.
o
Influence national legislation
o
Protect the industry from onerous regulations and influence federal agencies
o
Promotion/Education/Outreach to US Army Corps of Engineers, DOTs, Municipalities in the US, and Canada
•
A task group was established to develop criteria to prioritize states and municipalities to influence.
•
The Virtual PaverPAC fundraiser was held on February 18th, with members donating $2,185 to the PaverPAC fund.
The Committee also reviewed the progress made on: •
Capitol Hill efforts continue as members of the H2B Coalition expand the H2B visa program to allow for more seasonal workers; support of the definition of the Waters of the Page | 25
