As the 2025 legislative sessions continue to unfold, a changing political and economic environment is reshaping how federal and state governments interact. With all but seven state legislatures in session — Louisiana yet to convene and six already adjourned — IAPMO and ASSE’s Government Relations (GR) team is actively tracking developments across the country. Thousands of new bills and amendments are being introduced, presenting opportunities and challenges alike. While final numbers for the current session are still pending, the previous 2023-24 sessions saw a record 246,405 bills introduced nationwide — an upward trend from previous cycles.
At the federal level, a potential shift in trade policy could have wideranging implications. President Trump has proposed a “tariff reciprocity” strategy, aimed at imposing higher tariffs on imports from nations with significant trade surpluses with the U.S., including major partners such as China, the EU, and Mexico. Though implementation would take time and invite negotiations, the proposal underscores a broader pivot in trade dynamics that could affect plumbing and manufacturing standards.
Within Congress, IAPMO is advocating for continued funding of high-impact programs, including the EPA’s WaterSense program and the Plumbing Research Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These efforts come as Republican lawmakers look to scale back government spending. IAPMO is also advocating for legislation that would support low-income households by creating grant programs for leak repair, fixture upgrades, and water filtration in homes with known contaminants. Meanwhile, work continues to reverse a regulation that inaccurately categorizes water treatment technologies as pesticidal devices, instead advocating for classification as standard water system components.
IAPMO’s reach continues to expand internationally. The organization has been closely coordinating with federal agencies to plan a two day summit in Korea, scheduled for July, as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings. This summit will focus on the standardization of plumbing product markets across the region. IAPMO also presented at the WateReuse Symposium to highlight strategies for increasing water reuse in health care settings. In addition, the organization is contributing to EPA and Commerce Department initiatives such as the International Lead Exposure Working Group and ongoing collaborations with the National Blue Ribbon Commission to broaden water reuse services nationwide.
As part of the administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID, the remainder of IAPMO’s award to expand IAPMO testing and certification services globally was canceled. However, IAPMO’s award with the U.S. Department of Commerce, focused on improving the global standardization of plumbing products, remains in full effect.
On the state level, IAPMO and ASSE are pressing forward with policy efforts focused on lead, PFAS, Legionella mitigation, and the inclusion of recognized third-party certifications in water safety legislation.
In California, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water, has officially recognized the ASSE 5110 certification program as meeting the requirements outlined in Section 3.4.1 of the state’s Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook. In a letter dated June 17, the SWRCB confirmed that ASSE 5110 is now an accepted qualification for backflow prevention assembly testers across the state, offering regulatory clarity and validating ASSE International’s leadership in advancing safe water practices and professional competency. ASSE also briefed California Department of State Hospitals staff on how the ASSE 12000 Series can enhance infection control in psychiatric health care facilities. When consulted on a proposed letter from the Water Quality Association (WQA) to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety on the WQA’s request to put a hold on enforcing the ASSE 1087, ASSE opted not to sign, determining that any action or inaction may be perceived as endorsing or opposing a code or standards change that is still under discussion. Instead, ASSE recommended a clarification on how existing NSF Drinking Water Treatment Unit (DWTU) standards (e.g., NSF/ANSI 42, 44, 53, 55) adequately cover most residential products, while reserving ASSE 1087 for larger commercial applications or products and/or components that fall outside the scope of the NSF DWTU standards.
In Colorado, new legislation passed in 2024 requiring licensed plumbers for nearly all backflow device work raised industry concerns. In response, HB25-1077 was introduced and passed in early 2025, restoring certain exemptions while maintaining key licensing requirements. Effective July 1, the law also mandates tagging serviced devices with technician credentials. The state plumbing board’s role has been extended through 2032, with reference to ASSE 6020 (or recognized equivalent) maintained for medical gas installations.
In Missouri, HB 995 — focused on improving water quality in public and private schools — is under review for potential amendments to include ASSE standards.
In New Jersey, a Legionella bill spearheaded by state Sen. Teresa Ruiz was signed into law without initial ASSE 12000 language. However, ASSE/IAPMO has since submitted a letter urging the Department of Health to include the standard in the state’s implementation rules.
In Texas, two bills are gaining traction. HB 4293 and SB 2702 seek to resolve duplicative requirements by allowing ASSE 5000 certification in place of the current backflow tester license. Meanwhile, HB 3214 proposes reducing the required experience for a master plumber license from four years to two.
