NACE Legislative Day Wrap-up
May 2007 • Washington, D.C.

In May 2007, thirty-five NACE members traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with their Congressional Representatives and staff to explain the extensive impact of corrosion in the United States and to discuss possible solutions to the escalating costs that are a threat to this nation's economic growth and to advocate for the passage of H.R. 1770 (The Corrosion Prevention Act of 2007).

This bill is a key part of the NACE strategic plan and will greatly impact the corrosion control and prevention industry. HR 1770 was introduced in the US House of Representatives on March 29, 2007. As currently written, the bill will provide a 50% tax credit on corrosion prevention investments for both new and existing privately owned structures in the US. This would have a significant impact on the US economy by making our businesses more competitive globally and creating and retaining jobs. This bill will also protect the environment and personal safety. Benefits from the bill will affect not only the users of corrosion prevention strategies, but will also help grow the corrosion control industry by increasing demand for the products and services that you provide.

One of the key parts of the meeting was a presentation by Rep. Michael Conaway (R-TX) (the sponsor of the bill). He provided an update on the bill's status and the key role that NACE members play in getting this bill passed. After this presentation NACE members descended on to the Capitol and met with over 55 Members of Congress and their staff asking for their support in passing this bill.

The key points of our message were that the tax credits would:

• result in reduced wasted investment on repair and replacement
• promote corrosion preventative strategies versus “find it and fix it” mentality
• redeploy wasted spending to productive use; create new jobs
• increase public and industrial safety
• protect the environment
• produce a substantial net tax revenue increase, and
• represent “good government”

They met with Congressional members from more than a dozen states (New York, Georgia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas). The meetings were very positive and we were able to pick a few new co-sponsors for the bill. We now have six co-sponsors and are continuing to work to reach the magic number of 218 to have this bill pass the U.S. House. The bill is currently in the U.S. House of Representative Ways & Means Committee and we need to garner support on this Committee to get this bill moving.

We are working on plans for the next Legislative Day and we look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 281/228-6213 or by .