2017 Legislative Advocacy Agenda
You can also view ILMA's Regulatory Advocacy Agenda here.
TIER 1 ISSUES - These issues affect a broad segment of the business community, and were ranked as “Top Priority” by ILMA Members.
- Tax Reform
ILMA Priorities: Support lower corporate tax rates, but ensure pass-through entities are treated the same as C and S corporations. Oppose proposals that impose a “border tax” on imported products (e.g., Group III base oils). Support repeal of estate tax and/or IRS rescission of proposal on valuation of closely-held businesses for estate tax purposes. Support simplification and reduction in IRS paperwork burden.
- Affordable Care Act
ILMA Priorities: Support replacement of the ACA with market-based reforms to expand competition and choice for the purchase of private health insurance and to lower costs to employers. Support allowing small and mid-sized businesses to join together voluntarily with other employers to form larger risk pools and purchasing arrangements across state lines. Support tax incentives to assist with the purchase of private health insurance. Support an increase in healthcare options and products (e.g., high-deductible policies and pre-tax accounts) available to employers and employees. Support the retention of ACA provisions on pre-existing conditions and insuring children to age 26.
- TSCA Reform
ILMA Priorities: Monitor and participate in EPA rulemakings, including Inventory Reset rule, to ensure that the final rules the Agency must promulgate by June 2017 are appropriately tailored to fit the needs of independent lubricant manufacturers and chemical processors. Because EPA’s new chemicals program has ground to a virtual standstill, encourage efforts by EPA to ensure that the program implements congressional intent to support innovation in U.S. chemical manufacturing, processing and use. As EPA conducts its risk evaluations for priority, existing chemicals, engage early with the Agency on relevant downstream uses and information on hazards and potential exposures throughout the supply chain. Support a user fee rule that appropriately and equitably allocates costs between chemical manufacturers and processors. Support efforts to ensure that EPA’s “confidential business information” practice does not go beyond what Congress intended in its TSCA reform law.
- Infrastructure
ILMA Priorities: Support legislation to improve the condition and performance of the national freight network, including all modes of transportation, to ensure goods and products can be transported efficiently to compete in the global economy. Because infrastructure projects are a significant source of lubricant demand (e.g., hydraulic fluids and motor oils for construction equipment and machines), support policies intended to make it easier for small businesses to win public contracts that are put out to bid by state and federal governments.
TIER 2 ISSUES - These issues affect the business community as a whole, and were ranked as “Very Important” by ILMA members.
- Trade Agreements - NAFTA and TPP
ILMA Priorities: Support open and fair trade policies where all parties play by the same rules. Engage the office of U.S. Trade Representative and the White House Office of Manufacturing Policy to pursue policies that U.S. manufacturers benefit from the global economy. Ensure that any modifications to NAFTA do not jeopardize ILMA members’ cross-border business and operations.
- Manufacturing Technology and Cybersecurity
ILMA Priorities: Support policies and legislation that recognize the importance of manufacturing to a vital and sustainable U.S. economy. Support R&D funding, including by DOE’s ARPA-E, that accelerates economic growth and commercialization of new manufacturing technologies. Support government policies to assist members to identify, attract, develop and retain the next generation of workers and skills. In the face of increasing cyber vulnerabilities, support government and industry efforts to identify the most effective cybersecurity processes and technologies to ensure operational continuity, data security and intellectual property protection.