LICA Participates in Coalition Seeking H-2B Visa Cap Revisions

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by LICA-National

LICA has joined in a coalition that is seeking to expand the existing cap on H-2B visas for seasonal workers which many LICA members utilize to meet workforce shortages. The current H-2B cap has consistently fallen short of documented workforce needs during periods of strong economic growth and low unemployment. For FY 2027, the 33,000 first half cap was met on September 12, 2025, and the 33,000 second half cap was met on March 10, 2026. While the H-2B program continues to have limitations and does not fully address the construction industry’s broader workforce shortages, expanding the cap would provide employers some relief.


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EPA Proposes NEPA Policy Revisions to Speed Construction Project Approvals

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by LICA-National

On June 25, 2026 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed updates to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementation procedures to expedite permitting and streamline environmental reviews. The proposal establishes time and page limits, expands categorical exclusions, and aligns EPA rules with recent legislation and Supreme Court rulings.


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Senate Farm Bill Discussion Draft Introduced

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by LICA-National

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman(R-AR) last week unveiled a “farm bill 2.0” discussion draft with the intent of encouraging input from Senators both off and on the committee in the hope of producing a comprehensive bill with wide support that can be quickly passed before summer recess begins.


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Congress Moves on FY 2027 USDA Appropriations- LICA Seeks Support for NRCS/FSA Funding and Personnel

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by LICA-National

Congress has begun the process of approving the 12 annual appropriations bills that will provide funding for federal agencies/programs in FY 2027. On June 4 the full House passed the USDA funding measure (H.R. 8646) in a tight 213–210 vote. The House bill approved a $26.27 billion discretionary allocation, which represents a 1.4% decrease from FY 2026 funding levels. However, included in the measure is language that prohibits the permanent relocation or consolidation of county-based personnel at local NRCS and FSA field offices if such a move would leave the office with fewer than two staff members. This is designed to preserve local access to technical assistance for farmers. While protecting physical local offices, the bill slashes NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance funding by roughly 35%.


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House Committee Approves Transportation FY 2027 Appropriations

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by LICA-National

The House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2027 transportation funding bill that would cut nearly $10.7 billion (10.4%) for highway construction below the FY 2026 levels. The measure advanced 34-27, with all Republicans supportive and all Democrats opposed. Because FY 2027 marks the first year after the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which authorized the highway funding for the past five years, much uncertainty surrounds where funding levels will be set for the next five years. The committee redirected $7.8 billion in unspent IIJA funds, including $5.1 billion from federal rail programs, to fund various transportation accounts.


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Senate Continues Negotiations on Farm Bill

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by LICA-National

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Arkansas) continues to work with members of that committee on the Senate version of the Farm bill in hopes of taking up and approving the measure prior to the Congressional August recess. The timing means the markup would take place between July 13 and Aug. 7, according to the Senate legislative calendar. The House passed its version last month.


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House Transportation Committee Approves Highway Reauthorization

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by LICA-National

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill after a marathon 15-hour legislative markup session that began on May 21 and ended in the early morning of May 22. The committee adopted the bill by a vote of 62-2 with three members not voting. Existing highway and transit authorizations are set to expire Sept. 30.


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