April 20, 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. | |
Commerce Department Lowers Preliminary Softwood Lumber Duties in Seventh Review
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The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has published its preliminary determination adjusting down antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber as part of the seventh administrative review, covering imports from January 1 through December 31, 2024. The preliminary combined AD/CV rate is expected to fall to 24.83 percent, down from 35.16 percent in the sixth review’s final determination, a decrease of 10.33 percentage points. When including the 10 percent Section 232 tariff, the total effective rate declines from 45.16 percent to 34.83 percent. While lower, duty levels in the sixth and seventh reviews remain elevated compared to earlier reviews, when combined rates generally ranged in the single digits to low teens.
As with all preliminary determinations, these rates remain subject to change following stakeholder comments, with final results expected within 120 days of publication. The review comes as U.S. and Canadian officials begin the first joint review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Through the stakeholder process, NLBMDA has called for a more effective dispute resolution mechanism and urged prioritization of a new, long-term Softwood Lumber Agreement to provide greater market certainty. NLBMDA will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as Commerce moves toward a final determination.
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Tariff Refund Process Opens for Importers Following IEEPA Tariff Strike Down
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The federal government began accepting refund claims today for tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), following the U.S. Supreme Court’s February decision invalidating those duties. The process, administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), marks the first step in returning more than $166 billion in collected tariffs to importers who paid them. Businesses that served as the importer of record can now submit documentation through CBP’s new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) system, with Phase 1 eligibility limited to unliquidated entries and those that liquidated within 80 days prior to filing, though broader eligibility is expected in subsequent phases.
While the launch provides a pathway for financial relief, the refund process is expected to be complex and phased, with CBP estimating payments will be issued within 60 to 90 days after claims are accepted, subject to review. Early implementation challenges and the limited scope of Phase 1 mean additional rounds will be required to capture all eligible entries. NLBMDA will continue to monitor implementation of the CAPE system and provide updates as additional phases expand eligibility and guidance evolves.
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Registration is now open for the ProDealer Industry Summit, October 5-7 in Chicago, Illinois! Join us for an exclusive live educational forum designed to advance the growth of lumber and building product dealers, distributors, wholesalers, and their supplier partners. The event will be held at The Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago and is co-hosted by NLBMDA and HBSDealer.
The summit brings together leaders from across the LBM industry for education, peer collaboration, and strategic discussion focused on strengthening businesses in a competitive marketplace.
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NLBMDA Expands Coalition Engagement to Advance Housing and Workforce Priorities
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Last week NLBMDA announced it has joined four new coalitions, further strengthening its federal advocacy efforts and expanding its presence in key policy discussions. With these additions, NLBMDA now participates in more than a dozen coalitions, building on its longstanding work with groups like the Merchant Payments Coalition and the ACTION Campaign. These partnerships complement NLBMDA’s direct advocacy on Capitol Hill and help reinforce its engagement with policymakers on key industry issues.
The new coalitions align closely with NLBMDA’s core priorities. Through the Neighborhood Homes Coalition and Up for Growth, NLBMDA is advancing policies to increase housing supply and reduce barriers to development, including support for the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act and broader federal housing reforms. At the same time, joining the Critical Labor Coalition reinforces NLBMDA’s focus on workforce development, particularly efforts to expand construction training and address persistent labor shortages. Rejoining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce further broadens NLBMDA’s engagement across the business community, strengthening its ability to advocate for policies that support economic growth and a competitive operating environment.
Together, these partnerships position NLBMDA to further elevate the voice of LBM dealers as Congress and federal agencies consider policies impacting housing supply, workforce development, and the broader business environment, while ensuring member priorities remain reflected in legislative and regulatory outcomes. Read more about NLBMDA’s four new partners here.
| | NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 3.6% Decrease in March | |
Existing‑home sales slipped again in March, falling 3.6% from February to an annual pace of 3.98 million, according to the latest National Association of REALTORS® report. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun pointed to weaker consumer confidence, softer job growth, and chronically low inventory as the main forces keeping buyers on the sidelines. All four regions saw month‑over‑month declines, though the South and West managed modest year‑over‑year gains. With supply still well below historical norms, prices continued their steady climb: the median existing‑home price reached a March record of $408,800, marking nearly three straight years of annual increases. Yun noted that this long‑running price growth has helped the typical homeowner build more than $128,000 in housing wealth over the past six years.
NAR also trimmed its 2026 housing forecast as rising mortgage rates reshape expectations. Existing‑home sales are now projected to grow 4% this year—down from earlier estimates—while new‑home sales are expected to remain flat rather than post the previously forecast 5% gain. Inventory in March rose slightly to 1.36 million units, representing a 4.1‑month supply, but remains far from the additional 300,000 to 500,000 listings Yun says would bring the market closer to balance. Regional price trends were mixed, time on market shortened to 41 days, and first‑time buyers accounted for nearly one‑third of transactions. Mortgage rates averaged 6.18% in March, up from February, adding another layer of pressure to an already tight and competitive spring market.
| | More Young Adults Interested in the Construction Trades, but Challenges Persist | |
A new National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) study shows growing interest among young adults in the construction trades, with twice as many 18‑ to 25‑year‑olds considering the field today compared with a decade ago. While only 6% say they would choose a career in the trades, the survey highlights a meaningful shift in attitudes—driven largely by the promise of strong pay and valuable, transferable skills. With the nation short roughly 1.2 million housing units, NAHB estimates the industry will need 2.2 million new skilled workers over the next three years to meet demand, replace retirees, and support expansion. NAHB Chairman Bill Owens emphasized that many young adults still don’t realize how lucrative and upwardly mobile these careers can be, urging high schools to present the trades as a competitive alternative to four‑year college pathways.
The study also reveals that compensation is a powerful motivator: more than half of undecided young adults who initially said they wouldn’t pursue the trades would reconsider for the right paycheck—often between $60,000 and $90,000. Many construction occupations already meet or exceed those salary thresholds, with half of payroll workers earning more than $60,320 and the top quartile surpassing $81,510. NAHB is calling on policymakers to expand funding for trades education and support bipartisan efforts like the CONSTRUCTS Act, which aims to strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers. As Owens noted, meeting the nation’s housing needs will depend on giving students clear pathways into well‑paid, long‑term careers that help build the homes communities urgently need.
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U.S. Senate to Begin Budget Reconciliation Process This Week to Fund Homeland Security Agencies
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Activity on Capitol Hill this week is expected to center on Senate consideration of a budget resolution that would unlock a second reconciliation bill focused on funding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The effort comes amid a prolonged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse, where Congress has moved legislation to reopen most of the department but has notably excluded funding for ICE and parts of CBP due to ongoing policy disputes. As a result, lawmakers are turning to the budget reconciliation process to provide targeted funding for these agencies outside the traditional appropriations framework. Senate Republicans are discussing roughly $65 billion to $75 billion in funding, with reconciliation allowing the package to advance with a simple majority vote rather than the usual 60-vote threshold in the Senate.
For now, however, Republican leaders appear to be keeping this package narrow and centered on border and immigration enforcement, limiting the opportunity for broader policy priorities to ride on the bill. That would mark a contrast with last year’s broader reconciliation effort, which included several tax and housing-related provisions that NLBMDA successfully advocated for. Even so, lawmakers in the House and Senate are already discussing the possibility of a third reconciliation package later this year that could carry additional end-of-session priorities. NLBMDA remains engaged in those conversations and will continue advocating for opportunities to advance pending industry priorities if a broader legislative vehicle takes shape.
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White House Economic Report Highlights Housing Affordability Challenges and Supply Constraints
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Last week, the White House released its Economic Report of the President, an annual publication prepared by the Council of Economic Advisers that outlines the Administration’s economic outlook and policy priorities, including a detailed assessment of ongoing challenges in the housing market. The latest edition points to a sharp rise in home prices and mortgage rates in recent years, with monthly mortgage payments for a typical buyer significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. These trends have reduced affordability, pushed the average age of first-time buyers to record highs, and contributed to a broader decline in homeownership accessibility.
At the core of the report’s analysis is a persistent imbalance between housing supply and demand. The Council attributes rising costs largely to constrained supply, citing regulatory barriers, permitting delays, and rising development costs that function as a “tax” on new construction. Housing production has fallen below historical trends, leaving the U.S. short millions of homes and allowing demand pressures to translate into higher prices rather than increased building activity. NLBMDA is actively engaging on Capitol Hill to address these supply constraints, including recent advocacy in support of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan package that advances policies to streamline permitting, modernize federal housing programs, and incentivize local efforts to increase housing production and reduce regulatory barriers that limit new development.
Looking ahead, the report emphasizes that expanding housing supply will be central to improving affordability and stabilizing prices. It points to the need for policy reforms, particularly at the state and local level, to reduce barriers to development and streamline construction. Combined with efforts to ease financing costs, these actions are framed as key to restoring access to homeownership and strengthening the long-term health of the housing market.
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OSHA Updates National Heat Emphasis Program
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On April 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an updated National Emphasis Program (NEP) focused on preventing indoor and outdoor heat-related workplace hazards. Effective immediately and set to remain in place for five years, the revised program directs enforcement and outreach toward 55 high-risk industries identified using recent injury, illness, and inspection data. These include construction, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and other sectors where workers face elevated heat exposure risks. The update follows the expiration of OSHA’s prior heat NEP and is intended to better target agency resources and improve compliance efforts.
OSHA’s National Emphasis Programs (NEPs) are enforcement and outreach initiatives that target high-risk industries for inspections and compliance assistance, serving as an interim tool to address hazards like heat exposure, while a separate, pending federal rulemaking on heat injury and illness prevention would establish a permanent, nationwide standard with specific regulatory requirements for employers once finalized. NLBMDA has actively engaged in the rulemaking process, providing comments to ensure any final standard reflects the operational realities of lumber and building material dealers, particularly for outdoor work environments and delivery operations.
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U.S. DOL Proposes Rule Clarifying Employee, Independent Contractor Status
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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued a proposed rule to revise how workers are classified as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The proposal would rescind the Biden administration’s 2024 rule and instead reinstate a framework similar to the Department’s 2021 approach, centered on the longstanding “economic reality” test used by federal courts. Under this test, the key question is whether a worker is economically dependent on an employer or operating independently, with greater weight placed on two core factors: the level of control over the work and the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss. The rule is intended to provide clearer, more predictable guidance for employers while maintaining worker protections, and would also apply across related laws including the Family and Medical Leave Act.
LBM dealers, to varying degrees, use independent contractors and third-party partners to support delivery, logistics, and specialized services to support business operations. At the same time, independent contractors represent a significant share of their customer base, making proper classification critical to both operations and market demand. NLBMDA has previously engaged on this issue, submitting comments during both the 2021 and 2024 rulemaking processes to ensure federal policy reflects the realities of the LBM industry. The Department has opened a 60-day public comment period, with feedback expected to inform a final rule later this year. NLBMDA will be submitting comments to ensure the final rule reflects the operational realities of the LBM industry and encourages members to share input. Members interested in providing feedback should contact mdelaney@dealer.org
| | QXO Announces Investor Presentation Regarding Acquisition of TopBuild | | |
QXO, Inc. (NYSE: QXO), following the announcement yesterday of its agreement to acquire TopBuild Corp. (NYSE: BLD) (“TopBuild”), has posted a recorded investor presentation to provide additional detail regarding the transaction.
The presentation, featuring a slide deck and narrated commentary from QXO Chief Executive Officer Brad Jacobs, outlines the strategic rationale for the acquisition, anticipated financial impact, and the long-term growth opportunities provided by the combined platform.
| | Annandale Millwork and Allied Systems Corporation Cuts the Ribbon in Newport News | | |
Annandale Millwork and Allied Systems Corporation has expanded to Hampton Roads with the grand opening of Frogale Lumber Supply, a new full-service facility in Newport News, Virginia. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 7th drew local, state, and federal dignitaries.
The company traces its roots to 1952, when William C. Frogale founded what has grown into a seven-decade legacy in lumber, millwork, and building materials. The company reflected on the milestone: "What started as a family business in 1952 is still exactly that: family-owned, family-driven, and built on seven decades of relationships, craftsmanship, and commitment to the builders who make this region great. We are so proud to bring our team, our products, and our passion to the Hampton Roads community, and we cannot wait to get to work."
| | Owens Corning agrees to 'amended' glass reinforcements deal | |
Back in Feb. 2025, Owens Corning agreed to sell its glass reinforcements business to Praana Group for $755 million. Since that time, apparently, stagnant market conditions have compelled a return to the negotiating table.
According to a press release, Owens Corning has now entered into an "amended agreement" to sell its glass reinforcements business to Praana Group.
The amended agreement, per Ohio-based OC, eliminates seller notes and increases up-front cash proceeds, "streamlining Owens Corning’s separation from the business."
| | Executive move at LBM Advantage | |
New Windsor, N.Y.-based LBM Advantage hired Ed Senniger as Business Development Manager. The addition of this role reflects LBM Advantage’s continued focus on expanding its national footprint, innovating. and strengthening its position as a leading co-op in the lumber and building materials industry, the company said.
Senniger joins the Member Development team and will report to Vice President of Member Development Dan Ohmer. He will be based in Missouri and will play a key role in driving membership growth and deepening engagement across both existing and prospective accounts.
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Nation’s Best has promoted Kim Peffley to Chief Operating Officer, effective April 12, 2026.
Peffley, who currently serves as Regional Vice President of the company’s North Region, brings more than 30 years of experience in the independent home improvement industry. In her role as RVP, Nation's Best says she has driven "significant improvements in operational performance, strengthened leadership capability, and advanced consistency across stores in her region."
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