This Month in DC Overview: September 2026

This Month in DC Overview

Alex Ayers gives us an overview of the most important things going on in DC this month. Highlights of this month's government affairs issues are:

Trade, State Regulations and Advocacy Take Center Stage

HARDI Advocacy is tracking another busy month of policy developments across Washington, D.C., Canada and the states, with trade and supply chain issues remaining a major focus.

HARDI Pushes for USMCA Protections

HARDI led a letter with HVACR supply chain associations supporting continued negotiations around the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). With significant HVACR manufacturing taking place in Mexico, the industry is pushing to protect North American supply chains, including efforts to exempt USMCA-compliant goods from Section 232 tariffs.

In Canada, distributors should also be watching Amendment 19, a proposal to update energy efficiency regulations for HVACR and water heating equipment.

States Keep the Industry Busy

In Colorado, industry advocacy around ultra-low NOx requirements helped lead to exemptions for certain equipment categories and opened the door for a state representative to visit a HARDI member facility and learn more about HVACR distribution.

In New Mexico, a federal judge granted an injunction pausing enforcement of PFAS labeling requirements while the legal challenge continues.

California remains active on several fronts. A recently passed bill would create a digital permitting process for heat pumps, but traditional air conditioners and furnaces would remain under the existing process. The Bay Area is also reviewing its zero-NOx furnace rules, with HARDI raising concerns about how proposed changes could affect distributors and contractors.

Meanwhile, Washington State has launched its low-GWP refrigerant task force, which could help shape the next phase of state refrigerant policy.

EPR Requirements Return in Oregon

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors lost its legal challenge to Oregon’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, bringing packaging reporting and payment requirements back into effect. Similar EPR laws in Colorado and California are also being challenged.

Putting Numbers to Distribution’s Impact

HARDI is also continuing to highlight its recent economic impact analysis, which demonstrates the contribution HVACR wholesale distribution makes to the broader economy.

With trade negotiations, refrigerant policy, permitting and state regulations all moving quickly, HARDI Advocacy continues working to keep members informed and represented. Use the links below to navigate through all HARDI's advocacy efforts and subscribe to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

Explore HARDI's Industry Issues and State Issues pages and stay up to date on the latest issues affecting the HVACR industry.

Read more on what's affecting our industry here: HARDI's Advocacy Blogs

Stay Informed with HARDI Advocacy

With federal rules advancing, tariffs shifting, and states introducing new complexities, staying informed is critical. HARDI continues to advocate for practical, member-focused solutions across all levels of government.