COMMITTEE CORNER
Committee Corner
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s part of its continued push to help GAWDA members get the most out of their membership dues in the association and stay on the front lines of emerging industry trends and hot-button issues, GAWDA has several volunteer committees devoted to specific areas of the industry. The volunteer committees include: Government Affairs, Human Resources, Industry Partnering, Insurance Tr ustees, Leadership Development, Member Services, Safety, Women of Gases and Welding, and Young Professionals. This feature in Welding & Gases Today will update readers on the latest news and events from each committee. We thank all the committee chairs for their help and input as well as their service to the association and its members.
If you are interested in enhancing your GAWDA experience and joining a committee, visit gawda.org/ about/committees to fill out a GAWDA volunteer form today.
32 • First Quarter 2023
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
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Co-Chair Chuck Beal, American Welding & Gas
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Co-Chair Rick Schweitzer, GAWDA Legal Counsel
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The GAWDA Government Affairs Committee provided updates on several outstanding legislative issues and continues to work on its primary priorities. • In 2022 Congress failed to pass legislation to eliminate the duplicate background checks requirements and fees for a driver to obtain a TWIC and a CDL Hazardous Materials
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Endorsement. GAWDA has met with House Republican staff in the new Congress to promote consideration of this legislation. DOT/PHMSA has proposed substantial increases to the annual hazmat registration fees for shippers and carriers of hazardous materials. GAWDA is working with allied associations to keep any fee increases to a minimum (no more than $500 for small businesses). The Federal Trade Commission has issued a proposed rule to invalidate all non-compete agreements for employees, outside of acquisitions. GAWDA is working with NAW in considering comments to the proposal. OSHA is preparing a proposed rule on heat illness and injury prevention standards for workers. On June 30, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency may not impose its Clean Power Project rules on greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas plants without specific authorization from Congress. The Court held that “major questions” of great political and economic impact
