Masonry check-off bill resurfaces on Capitol Hill

Sources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; CP staff

Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2) and lead co-sponsor Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) have introduced the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2015 (H.R. 985) into the 114th Congress, its title and language nearly identical to 2013 legislation. The bill would authorize concrete masonry interests to conduct an industry-wide referendum establishing a commodity check-off program; approval would lead to a U.S. Department of Commerce-sanctioned stakeholder board empowered to collect a target amount per concrete masonry unit sold.

“This approach provides us the best opportunity to fairly and effectively advance the use of concrete masonry as a modern building material,” says Ready Mix/Block USA’s Major Ogilvie, a CMU Check-off Program Leadership Team member. “We made great headway in educating members of the last Congress, securing 267 co-sponsors. I believe that hard work will translate into passage this year.”

H.R. 985 has been referred to the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, of which Rep. Guthrie and Rep. Castor are members.