September 8, 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.

A Message from NLBMDA Interim Chair Carin Brock on Strategic Planning 

By Carin Brock, NLBMDA Interim Chair, Lumbermen’s Association of Texas Representative

On behalf of NLBMDA, I am pleased to share that the Board of Directors will engage in strategic planning on October 7 and 8, immediately following the ProDealer Industry Summit. This important work will help define NLBMDA’s future direction, strengthen the association’s value to Federated Association Partners and the broader lumber and building materials industry and establish clear priorities for the years ahead. 

As Interim Chair, I believe this process is an opportunity for NLBMDA leadership to listen carefully, align around shared priorities, and make thoughtful strategic choices. The Board will draw on input from members, Federated Association Partners, volunteer leaders, and staff as we consider how the national association can best support the industry and deepen its partnership with state and regional Federated Association Partners and industry stakeholders. 

Successful planning requires broad participation, candid input, data-informed decision-making, a forward-looking focus, and a commitment to measurable outcomes. The final roadmap will help guide operational plans to be led by NLBMDA Board of Directors and supported by volunteer leadership and staff. 

I look forward to keeping members informed as this important work progresses, and I appreciate the continued engagement of leaders across our association community. 

NLBMDA Seeks Member Feedback on Section 338 Tariffs

NLBMDA is reminding dealers to participate in its member survey on the impact of the Section 338 tariffs on Canadian imports. The additional 50 percent duties took effect August 22 on a range of covered Canadian products, creating new questions for dealers sourcing materials through established North American supply chains. NLBMDA is gathering member feedback on changes in costs, product availability and sourcing since the tariffs took effect.



Dealer responses will help NLBMDA provide Congress and the Administration with real-world information on how the tariffs are affecting the LBM industry, including whether comparable products are readily available from domestic suppliers and the challenges associated with shifting existing vendor relationships. Responses may remain anonymous. Members who have not yet completed the survey are encouraged to do so by Wednesday, September 9.

ProDealer Early Bird Discount Deadline Extended! Register by September 14!

The strongest businesses are built on strong relationships and shared knowledge.



That's why the ProDealer Industry Summit brings together dealers, distributors, wholesalers, manufacturers, and industry leaders for an event dedicated to learning from one another and moving the industry forward together. Register by September 14th to receive an Early Bird discount! Check out what's in store:

Network with peers at our opening reception and build relationships that extend far beyond the event.

Learn from leading experts during engaging speakers and panel discussions focused on today's most important issues.

Celebrate industry achievements at the ProDealer Awards Dinner as we honor this year's top performers and innovators.

Discover fresh perspectives at the Next-Gen Breakfast, where emerging leaders share ideas and insights for the future.

Whether you're looking for new ideas, stronger partnerships, or a renewed outlook on the business, you'll find it at the ProDealer Industry Summit!

Call for Silent Auction Donations at ProDealer 2026

Support NLBMDA by donating to this year’s Silent Auction! Each contribution helps strengthen our advocacy efforts in Washington while giving members the chance to bid on exciting items. Half of this year's Silent Auction donations will go to a charity to support the LBM Community.

Popular donations in past years have included sports memorabilia, electronics, outdoor gear, cigars, jewelry, art, wine and spirits, and more. If you’d like to showcase your support and generosity, simply complete the donation form below and help make this year’s auction a success.

NLBMDA Webinar Series: State of Small Business and a Main Street Outlook 

Join us Wednesday, September 23, at 2:00 pm Eastern for an informative discussion with Tom Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as he provides an update on the state of small business and the outlook for Main Street. 

As a trade association member of the U.S. Chamber, NLBMDA is pleased to offer an opportunity to hear directly from Sullivan as he walks through the latest findings from the U.S. Chamber Small Business Index. Conducted quarterly, the Index tracks how small business owners view the health of their businesses, the economy, and their expectations for hiring, investment, and growth.

He will also provide perspective on the evolving legislative and regulatory landscape and what it means for small businesses across the country. The conversation will also provide NLBMDA members with the U.S. Chamber’s perspective on the broader outlook for small businesses.

NLBMDA Members Invited to Webinar on Work Opportunity Tax Credit

As a member of the Critical Labor Coalition, NLBMDA is pleased to offer members access to an upcoming webinar examining the future of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and efforts in Congress to reinstate the tax incentive.

Join the Critical Labor Coalition and Capitol Solutions on Wednesday, September 9, from 11:00–11:45 a.m. ET for an employer-focused discussion on WOTC, the challenges facing its renewal and opportunities for employers to support congressional action. The conversation will feature Noelle Britton, Chief of Staff to Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), sponsor of the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act, and Evan Migdail, partner at DLA Piper and consultant to the National Employment Opportunity Network. Critical Labor Coalition Executive Director Misty Chally will moderate.

Large Metro Core Counties Drive Drop in Single-Family Market Share

Single-family home construction remained subdued across most regions in the second quarter of 2026 as builders continued to grapple with higher material costs, elevated interest rates and broader economic uncertainty. However, the pace of decline moderated compared with the previous quarter, suggesting conditions may be stabilizing. According to the National Association of Home Builders' Home Building Geography Index, construction activity is increasingly shifting toward smaller metro and outlying markets where land is more available and affordable. Large metro urban core counties experienced the steepest decline, while small metro outlying counties posted modest growth after a year of contraction, highlighting how affordability pressures are influencing where new homes are being built.

Multifamily construction told a different story, posting gains in six of seven geographic categories amid continued demand for rental housing. Large metro core counties led the rebound with year-over-year growth of 11.6% and increased their share of multifamily activity to 35.4%, while large metro suburban counties also gained ground. Together, these markets accounted for nearly two-thirds of all multifamily construction. The data suggest multifamily development is shifting back toward larger metropolitan areas after stronger growth in outlying markets a year ago, underscoring the industry's response to changing housing demand and market conditions.

U.S. Economy Adds 162,000 Jobs in August

The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent. Labor force participation increased to 61.6 percent, and average hourly earnings rose 0.3 percent for the month and 3.1 percent over the past year. Construction employment increased by 22,000 jobs, including gains in residential building construction and specialty trade contractors. 

Following release of the strong jobs report, President Trump has renewed his call for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates at its next meeting. The stronger-than-expected employment data also increased expectations that the Fed could raise rates at its September meeting. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh recently said inflation must show clear and sufficient progress toward the Fed’s 2 percent target, signaling that a rate increase could be warranted if price pressures do not moderate. 

Congress Passes Government Funding Extension Through November Elections

Congress returned to Washington last week with government funding at the top of the agenda and quickly removed the most immediate deadline from the fall calendar. The House voted 370-48 to approve the Senate-amended continuing resolution, extending federal funding at current levels through December 11, and President Trump signed the measure on September 2. The agreement eliminates the threat of an October 1 shutdown and gives appropriators additional time to negotiate the twelve full-year fiscal year 2027 spending bills. It also shifts the next major funding fight into the post-election session, when lawmakers will have only a matter of weeks to reach a broader agreement or consider another extension. 

That December deadline takes on greater significance following this week’s decision by House leadership to shorten the remaining pre-election schedule. The House will return September 14 but is now expected to adjourn September 17, eliminating previously scheduled voting weeks beginning September 21 and September 28. The Senate also returns September 14 and is currently scheduled to remain in session into early October, leaving only a brief period when both chambers will be in Washington together before the midterm elections. With the immediate funding deadline resolved and the House calendar compressed, much of Congress’s unfinished business, including final appropriations decisions affecting housing, workforce and other federal programs important to the LBM industry, is increasingly likely to be concentrated in the year-end session. 

Bipartisan Bill Introduced Targets Staged Auto Accident Fraud

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has introduced the Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026, legislation aimed at combating staged vehicle accidents and fraudulent insurance claims that can drive up insurance costs for businesses and consumers. Introduced by Reps. Laura Gillen (D-NY), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Vince Fong (R-CA), the bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly stage or fabricate a motor vehicle crash and submit a fraudulent claim, with fines directed to the Highway Trust Fund. NLBMDA plans to meet with the sponsoring offices to learn more about the legislation, including its prospects and potential pathway through Congress.

New Bipartisan House Bill Would Examine Broader Costs of Housing Shortage

The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections examined federal workplace regulations during a September 2 hearing that included discussion of OSHA’s proposed heat injury and illness prevention standard. The hearing featured representatives from the National Federation of Independent Business, AFL-CIO, Americans for Prosperity and American Action Forum, with members debating the costs and benefits of federal workplace requirements. 

NFIB’s Elizabeth Milito argued that the proposed heat standard could impose disproportionate compliance and recordkeeping burdens on small employers and presented more than 10,000 petition signatures opposing the rule. OSHA’s proposal remains under consideration and would establish requirements for employers to address heat hazards in indoor and outdoor workplaces. NLBMDA has raised concerns that an overly prescriptive standard could impose significant administrative and compliance burdens on dealers without adequately accounting for differences in workplace settings, existing safety practices and regional climate conditions. As NLBMDA awaits further guidance from OSHA on the direction of the rulemaking, NLBMDA will continue engaging with members of Congress and their staffs to communicate dealer concerns and advocate for a practical, flexible approach to workplace heat safety. 

OSHA Concludes Hearings on Proposed Regulatory Changes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded a series of virtual public hearings on August 26 covering several proposed revisions to existing workplace safety standards. The hearings, which began August 19, addressed proposals involving respiratory protection, fixed ladders and standards covering certain chemicals, textiles and sawmills as part of OSHA’s broader deregulatory rulemaking effort. 

Among the proposals, OSHA is considering removing a 2036 deadline requiring existing fixed ladders extending more than 24 feet to transition from cages or wells to personal fall arrest or ladder safety systems. The agency also heard testimony on changes intended to align respiratory protection provisions across multiple chemical standards and revisions affecting safety color-code, textile and sawmill requirements. The proposals have not been finalized, and OSHA will consider the hearing record and public comments as the agency determines whether to move forward with changes. NLBMDA will continue to monitor these rulemakings and other OSHA activity affecting LBM dealers and submit comments on behalf of the industry on regulations which impact the industry.  

Do it Best bolsters tech in Indy

When Do it Best Group returns to Indianapolis for its Fall Market, a handful technology programs—new and existing—will be on the agenda.



Retail Pulse, which is designed to help participating members and their territory sales managers identify opportunities, sharpen assortments and improve inventory productivity, is front and center on the list. At Fall Market, the company will expand Retail Pulse to Do it Best and True Value members with compatible POS systems, add SKU-level analysis and introduce a member-facing version so members and their territory sales managers can work from the same data and insights.

Bliffert opens new Wisc. location

Bliffert Lumber has officially opened its newest location in Platteville, Wisconsin, expanding the company’s footprint into southwestern Wisconsin.

The Platteville location marks Bliffert’s 16th location in Wisconsin and follows the company’s recent merger with East Side Lumber.

"We’re excited to move into Platteville and partner with the community to build something from the ground up. This expansion furthers our goal of sharing the Bliffert Experience with customers across the entire state of Wisconsin," said Josh Brown, Bliffert's Chief Executive Officer & President.

Hometown expansion for Bliffert Lumber

Bliffert Lumber and East Side Lumber completed a merger effective Aug. 1, 2026, bringing together two well-respected, independent Wisconsin lumber companies.

East Side Lumber has been employee-owned for more than 18 years and has built a strong reputation for its expertise, customer service and commitment to the building industry. That employee-first culture aligns with Bliffert, which has expanded employee ownership through its partial ESOP.

One year after breaking ground, Weyerhaeuser's new TimberStrand® facility is taking shape

One year after officially breaking ground on Weyerhaeuser new TimberStrand® manufacturing facility near Monticello, Arkansas, the sights and sounds of progress are everywhere.

At the construction site, just south of Highway 278 between Monticello and Warren, about 150 workers have spent the past several months preparing the land and laying the foundations for the buildings that will soon rise skyward. From the air, you can see the footprint emerging from the surrounding forests — the graveled finish area, the large stormwater retention ponds and the paved roads tracing the project’s eastern and southern boundaries.

Weyerhauser supports McComb internship program preparing students for manufacturing careers

This summer, seven high school students from southwest Mississippi spent four weeks inside our McComb lumber mill in Magnolia, Mississippi, earning industry certifications, exploring every department and discovering career possibilities they hadn’t considered before.

The opportunity came through a partnership between Weyerhaeuser and Southwest Mississippi Community College. Students first completed a Basics in Manufacturing certification program during the school year, then applied what they learned through the summer internship, building workplace skills that will serve them wherever their careers lead.

Students attended classes two evenings a week throughout the spring, earning OSHA 10 certification while learning precision measurement, lockout/tagout procedures, forklift operation and other manufacturing fundamentals. The internship brought those lessons to life through department tours, job shadowing and hands-on activities focused on communication, teamwork and safety.