June 29, 2026 • View in browser

NLBMDA Weekly is our newsletter covering everything from the latest activity in Washington to updates from our members. This is the premier source of federal legislative, regulatory, and industry news for NLBMDA members.

Congress Gives Final Approval to Major Bipartisan Housing Package

Congress has approved H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a major bipartisan housing package aimed at increasing housing supply, reducing regulatory barriers, and improving housing affordability. The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support, receiving a 358-32 vote in the House and an 85-5 vote in the Senate. The package represents the most comprehensive housing bill passed by Congress in several decades and comes as communities across the country continue to face severe housing shortages and persistent affordability challenges.

For more than a year, NLBMDA has engaged with House and Senate offices on pro-housing supply provisions included in the final bill. NLBMDA members also advocated directly for the legislation during more than 100 meetings with congressional offices as part of NLBMDA’s 2026 Spring Meeting and Legislative Conference. Those efforts helped shape a final package that removed provisions that could have undermined housing supply, while advancing policies that will support new construction, improve affordability, and create stronger conditions for growth across the LBM sector.

President Trump was scheduled to sign the bill into law during a June 24 ceremony on Capitol Hill, but he has held his pen for now, canceling the event and tying his signature to congressional action on the SAVE America Act, a voter-registration bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. The bill has become a major policy priority for the White House though currently lacks the votes needed for passage.

Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to “transmit” the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to the White House today, putting the legislation in its final stage before becoming law. Once delivered, the bill can become law after 10 days without requiring the President’s signature, provided it is not vetoed and Congress remains in session during that period. NLBMDA will continue to monitor the bill’s progress as it moves toward final enactment. Read our full statement on the bill’s final passage here.

NLBMDA Joins Neighborhood Homes Coalition For Fly-In on Housing Tax Credit

Last week, NLBMDA Government Affairs staff met with a number of key congressional offices to urge support for the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (NHIA), bipartisan legislation that would create a new federal tax credit to support the construction and substantial rehabilitation of affordable, owner-occupied homes in urban, suburban, and rural communities. The tax credit is designed to help close the gap that often prevents new homes from being built or existing homes from being restored in neighborhoods where construction or rehabilitation costs exceed the eventual sale price of the home. NHIA represents a practical, supply-focused housing policy that would support more attainable homeownership while creating stronger conditions for residential construction and renovation activity.

NLBMDA’s outreach included meetings with Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, Senate Finance Committee majority staff, Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s staff, House Ways and Means Committee majority and minority staff, and other congressional offices to advocate for the legislation. The meetings came just one day after Congress passed the ROAD to Housing Act, allowing NLBMDA to build on the momentum from the bill’s passage and keep lawmakers focused on additional policies that can help expand housing supply, support residential construction, and strengthen the industry.

Ferguson Lumber Corporation Earns National Recognition As Independent ProDealer of the Year

Ferguson Lumber Corporation of Veedersburg, Indiana has been named the 2026 Independent ProDealer of the Year by the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association and HBSDealer magazine. A team of about 40, Ferguson Lumber was founded in 1868 as a sawmill and has survived two major destructive fires by adapting to its community’s needs. The company has become stronger through multiple relocations and the introduction of hardware stores, as there are only two west of Indianapolis.

“We are proud to recognize Ferguson Lumber for its outstanding achievements and enduring contributions to the lumber and building materials industry. Carrying forward a 158-year Ferguson and Collings family legacy, their company continues to set a high standard for excellence," said Jonathan Paine, NLBMDA President & CEO. "Ferguson Lumber exemplifies strong business performance, a commitment to organizational excellence and best practices, dedication to customer and community service, and leadership as an ambassador for the lumber and building materials industry."

Read the full announcement here.

AI and the LBM Industry at the 2026 ProDealer Industry Summit

Most LBM leaders don’t have a data problem—they have a clarity problem. This session shows how to use AI as a practical thinking tool to cut through the noise, focus on what materially matters, and make better, faster decisions. Using real-world LBM Dealer scenario, you’ll see how to improve clarity around sales performance, margin, pricing, and pipeline—so you can move forward with confidence.

John Marshall is a former LBM dealer president and strategic advisor with more than 20 years of executive experience working with privately held businesses. He has led and advised companies across 17 industries, with deep expertise in the Lumber & Building Materials sector, focusing on growth strategy, operational performance, and leadership alignment.

Today, John works directly with owners and leadership teams to improve clarity, decision-making, and execution in complex operating environments. His approach combines practical, real-world experience with modern tools, including AI and structured decision frameworks. He is the founder of AI Growth Partners (AIGP) and the developer of the Leadership Decisionsystem, designed to help leaders cut through noise, determine what materially matters, and make better, faster decisions that move the business forward.

Host Your Member of Congress This August Recess

NLBMDA is encouraging members to host members of Congress for lumber yard tours during the upcoming August recess and extended state and district work periods. These visits provide an important opportunity for lawmakers to meet with local businesses, hear directly from constituents, and see firsthand the role LBM dealers play in supporting housing, development, and local economies. NLBMDA staff can assist members throughout the process, including help with scheduling, background materials, issue briefs, and guidance on hosting a successful visit. With advance notice, NLBMDA staff may also be available to support dealers on-site and help facilitate meetings or yard tours with elected officials and their staff. Members who are unable to host an in-person visit can still participate by scheduling a virtual meeting with their member of Congress or relevant legislative staff. Dealers interested in hosting a visit or scheduling a virtual meeting can complete the August Recess Interest Form below or learn more information here.

Sawmill Output Declines as Lumber Capacity Tightens

New data highlighted by NAHB shows continued pressure in the domestic lumber supply chain, with U.S. sawmill production declining in the first quarter for the second consecutive quarter. While sawmill output has been largely flat since 2023, estimated full production capacity for sawmills and wood preservation facilities fell 6 percent from a year earlier. The industry’s utilization rate increased slightly to 71.8 percent, but NAHB noted that the increase reflected shrinking capacity rather than stronger production. Employment in sawmill and wood preservation industries also continued to decline, falling to roughly 82,800 workers, the lowest level since 2010. Softwood lumber prices rose 6.1 percent during the quarter but remained below year-ago levels.

Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady

The Federal Reserve voted unanimously on June 17 to hold the federal funds rate at 3.50 to 3.75 percent, keeping borrowing costs elevated as policymakers continue to monitor inflation and broader economic conditions. The meeting was the first led by newly sworn-in Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, who took office in May after being confirmed by the Senate. In its statement, the Federal Open Market Committee said economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace, while inflation remains above the Fed’s 2 percent goal.

May Housing Starts Fall as Multifamily Construction Slows Sharply

Housing starts dropped sharply in May, falling 15.4% to a 1.18‑million‑unit annual pace as high interest rates, rising construction costs and ongoing labor shortages continued to weigh on builders. The decline was driven largely by a steep 40.2% pullback in multifamily construction, while single‑family starts slipped 1.9% and remain 6.7% below last year’s levels. Builder sentiment has weakened alongside these trends, with NAHB leaders noting that affordability challenges and cautious buyers are limiting momentum despite incentives and price cuts. Regionally, total starts were higher in the Northeast but declined in the Midwest, South and West.

Permitting activity also softened, edging down 0.7% overall to a 1.41‑million‑unit rate. Single‑family permits ticked up slightly, while multifamily permits fell but remain above last year’s pace. Year‑to‑date, permit activity shows modest gains in the Northeast and Midwest, with declines in the South and West. The number of single‑family homes currently under construction has fallen to 587,000 units, 5.9% lower than a year ago, underscoring builders’ continued caution amid economic uncertainty and affordability pressures.

White House Issues Executive Order Strengthening Customs Enforcement

The White House issued an executive order aimed at strengthening customs enforcement and improving oversight of goods entering the United States. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to increase enforcement of existing customs laws, with a focus on importer accountability, duty collection, forced labor compliance, rules of origin, intellectual property, and product safety. The administration said the action is intended to prevent unlawful imports, improve supply chain security, and ensure that importers are properly identified and held responsible for duties owed. Federal agencies are expected to begin implementing the directive in the coming months.

NLBMDA Joins Coalition Letter Urging Action on Swipe Fees

Last week, NLBMDA joined a coalition of 26 business associations in sending a letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill and Ranking Member Maxine Waters ahead of the committee’s hearing, “Future of Payments: Promoting Innovation and Fair Markets.” The letter raised concerns that the current payments system is dominated by Visa and Mastercard, leaving merchants with limited ability to negotiate fees or choose alternative payment networks.

The coalition urged Congress to advance the NLBMDA-supported Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), arguing that increased routing competition would help reduce swipe fee costs for Main Street businesses and consumers. The letter also warned that without congressional action, emerging payment technologies could face the same competitive barriers that have long affected the card market. NLBMDA continues to lead advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill for the CCCA and continues to meet with offices to advocate for its advancement.

NLBMDA Joins Broad Coalition Thanking Congress for Housing Bill

NLBMDA joined a broad coalition of 50 national organizations and 180 state, local, practitioner, and affiliate organizations in commending congressional leaders for advancing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. In the June 23 letter, the coalition praised the bill as “the most significant federal housing legislation in over 30 years” and emphasized that the package would help address long-standing barriers to housing production and affordability.

The letter highlighted provisions related to housing supply, manufactured housing, zoning and land use reforms, housing preservation, rental assistance, public housing, and affordable housing investment. National signatories included NAHB, the National Association of REALTORS®, the National Apartment Association, and the National Multifamily Housing Council, among others. NLBMDA will continue working with Congress, the Administration, and industry partners to support policies that expand housing supply, reduce barriers to construction, and strengthen the residential building materials supply chain.

HUD Announces 14 Regulatory Changes to Help Lower Housing Costs

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced 14 policy changes to its Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Single Family mortgage insurance program aimed at lowering costs, easing regulatory burdens, and improving affordability for Americans using FHA-insured mortgages.

The updates remove outdated requirements, cut administrative burdens, and make FHA financing more efficient for home buyers and lenders. The changes affect FHA policies

from mortgage origination through servicing and quality control, including:

Streamlining Appraisal Field Review Requirements, reducing quality control requirements that average $425 per field review. The change is expected to save industry partners about $3.3 million annually while better aligning FHA with other programs.
Expanding Flexibility under the Limited 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program, by allowing more contractor draw requests and making home rehabilitation projects easier to complete.
Modernizing FHA Mortgagee Approval and Quality Control, including a permanent exemption for early payment defaults caused by natural disasters from required quality control review samples. This will help reduce mortgage costs, expand borrower access, and support smaller lenders’ participation in the FHA program.
Eliminating the Duplicative Requirement for Lenders to Use the Important Notice to Homebuyers Form 92900-B, simplifying the closing process.
Clarifying Loss Mitigation Requirements Governing Trial Payment Plans, to protect the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, prevent abuse, and ensure proactive borrowers are not penalized.

LMC Promotes Deirdre Garland to VP of Marketing

LMC, the leading buying group serving independent dealers in the building materials industry, announced the promotion of Deirdre Garland as Vice President of Marketing.

Garland, who has been with LMC since 2017, most recently led the Company’s Kitchen and Bath business, advancing marketing strategy, strengthening member engagement, and enhancing supplier partnerships. In this expanded leadership role, she will lead brand strategy, member-facing programs, and marketing innovation across the organization. She will focus on strengthening LMC’s value proposition to its network of independent dealers while accelerating growth through innovative, data-driven marketing initiatives.

When the White House Historical Society set out to build a replica of the Oval Office, they turned to Tart Lumber, the Virginia-based family business that has built a reputation as the can-do supplier for any project — especially the challenging and historic.

For the replica Oval Office project, no corners were cut — both literally and figuratively.

The mother-daughter team of Virginia Lewis, left, and Libby Fritsche of Tart Lumber.

Measuring millwork for an oval room is a lot more challenging than a regular room, and hand carving the egg-and-dart moulding added another degree of complexity. It wasn’t easy, says Virginia Lewis, Tart president. “But it was a very cool project,” she said. “We told them we could do this with a flex molding at a fraction of the price, but they wanted real wood.”

When the manager of Cindy Rucker’s log team retired, they didn’t just leave a vacancy. They left a team of 18 people in varying states of transition — some brand new, some reassigned to different regions, some stepping into leadership roles for the first time. Overnight, a system that had worked well for years stopped working.

Cindy, who stepped into the manager role herself, could have steadied the ship and moved on. Instead, she took the disruption as an opportunity to rebuild the team’s work from the ground up, bringing each person along for every step of the journey.

Simpson Strong-Tie Employees Take Part in 2026 Habitat for Humanity Carter Work Project

As part of its ongoing support for Habitat for Humanity, Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, once again participated in the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, Habitat for Humanity International’s flagship annual event, through donations, sponsorship and employee volunteering.

This year’s Carter Work Project, held in Atlanta May 3-8, marked several milestones: the 50th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity International and of President Jimmy Carter’s presidency, the 40th Carter Work Project and the first time returning to the president’s home state since 1988.

Over the course of five days, 2,500 volunteers raised the walls for 10 single-family homes and finished the interiors for 14 townhomes in Langston Park, Atlanta Habitat’s 68-unit master-planned community in historic Sylvan Hills. Designed for modern living, Langston Park offers residents green spaces and access to Atlanta’s key transportation hubs, ensuring that families thrive in a stable and connected community.

GAF Roofing Academy Hits Milestone of 3,000 Job Placements Supporting Demand for Skilled Trades

GAF, North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, today announced that its GAF Roofing Academy has placed more than 3,000 graduates in jobs nationwide. The tuition-free, no-degree-required training program prepares individuals for careers in roofing and helps address the industry’s critical workforce shortage.

The milestone comes as demand for skilled labor continues to grow. To meet the rising demand, the U.S. construction industry will need a 30.7% increase in labor in 2026. Employment in roofing, specifically, is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034. The GAF Roofing Academy directly addresses that gap, helping contractors find qualified talent while creating economic opportunity for workers entering the trades.