“I am so pleased that ɫ��AV has received this amazing recognition. This could not have happened without the dedication of our staff, their passion, entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, and the great partnership that we have with our ɫ��AV Board of Directors and our more than 30,000 members,” said ɫ��AV Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE. “Congratulations to our ɫ��AV team!”

To be eligible, organizations are required to be a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with at least 15 employees and a minimum of one year in operation. The rankings were determined by a two-part evaluation: an in-depth review of workplace policies and practices (25%) and an employee survey measuring the overall workplace experience (75%). Final rankings were determined based on the combined results.

Workforce Research manages the survey process, analyzes the data, and determines the final rankings. The survey, completed by both staff and managers, consisted of 77 questions across nine categories. The categories were: Core Employee Experience, Your Job, Communication and Workplace Culture, Relationship with Your Manager, Training, Technology and Professional Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership of This Organization, Employee Benefits, and Work-Life Balance. Responses were scored on a 0–100% scale.

There were ten commonalities across the organizations that made this year’s list:

• I feel I am valued in this organization.
• I have confidence in the leadership of this organization.
• I like the type of work that I do.
• Most days, I feel I have made progress at work.
• I can trust what this organization tells me.
• At this organization, employees have fun at work.
• I feel part of a team working toward a shared goal.
• My pay is fair for the work I perform.
• This organization treats me like a person, not a number.
• This organization provides as much ongoing training as I need.

For more information on this year’s The NonProfit Times’ Best Nonprofits to Work For program, visit .

Latest News

It’s Water Week

• April 12-18 is and ɫ��AV is one of nearly two dozen participating associations supporting national fly-in activities in Washington, D.C.;
• The hallmark activity for the week is the policy fly-in where leaders from across the country connect with federal policymakers and agency partners on Capitol Hill;
• ɫ��AV Director of Government and Public Affairs Andrea Eales and ɫ��AV Government Affairs Manager Leah Harnish will participate in multiple activities throughout the week;
  • Leah will speak at the National Stormwater Policy Forum today
  • Leah will join ɫ��AV members to visit Congressional offices and advocate for water policy priorities Tuesday
  • Leah and Andrea will join other water industry professionals at the Water Week plenary session and reception Tuesday
• More information and resources are available at the link above.

ɫ��AV Speaks at CIFA Conference

• Government Affairs Manager Leah Harnish spoke on a panel at the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities’ (CIFA) Summit on Water Infrastructure, April 9;
• Other panelists included:
  • Scott Berry, U.S. Water Alliance
  • Matt McKenna, National Association of Clean Water Agencies
  • Jarron Brady, Government Finance Officers Association
• The panel provided a federal update on the reauthorization of water infrastructure financing programs and insight into the FY27 budget.

WIPPES Act Passed by Senate

• ɫ��AV joined 24 partner organizations in thanking Senate leaders on unanimous consent passage of the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act (S. 1092);
• If enacted into law, manufacturers would be required to label packaging for certain nonwoven wipes with a Do Not Flush label to help prevent clogging and damage to wastewater systems;
• ɫ��AV has been a leader on this legislation for several years and is now focused on swift passage in the House as S. 1092 is sent back for its reconsideration.

ɫ��AV Submits FY 2027 Appropriations Priorities

• ɫ��AV sent a letter to Congressional Appropriators and committee staff outlining public works funding priorities for FY27;
• The letter, among other things, calls for:
  • Continued funding for infrastructure programs at IIJA levels
  • Fully fund agencies and programs critical to emergency management, transportation, and water resources operations
• House and Senate appropriations committees are expected to begin putting out their budgets over the next month.

ɫ��AV Participates in First-ever National TIM Training Day

• Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster hosted, and participated in, the first-ever National Day of Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training, last week at the U.S. Dept. of Transportation;

• Two ɫ��AV members from Howard County, MD; ɫ��AV Director of Government and Public Affairs Andrea Eales; and more than 100 professionals from law enforcement, fire, towing, emergency communications, emergency medical services, transportation, and more received the 4-hour TIM training with numerous expert trainers and table-top exercises;
• Since 2015, ɫ��AV has formally been a key partner to FHWA in supporting TIM training and has had an ɫ��AV member serve on the TIM Executive Leadership Group, which coordinates best practices and strengthens national-level relationships amongst the TIM safety organizations;
• FHWA Administrator McMaster has made reaching the goal of 1 million people TIM-trained by the end of the Trump administration a top priority;
• ɫ��AV will host a TIM training at the North American Snow Conference, April 29, in Cleveland;
• More public works professionals are being sought to be expert TIM trainers, for more information, contact Andrea at aeales@apwa.org.

CISA Issues Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Advisory

• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an advisory warning;
• The advisory addresses Iran-affiliated advanced persistent threat (APT) actors that are being monitored for exploitation activity targeting internet-facing operational technology (OT) devices:
  • It also emphasizes that the water/wastewater and energy sectors should be on increased alert for potential activity to compromise their operations
• U.S. organizations are advised to review the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) provided in this advisory and implement the recommendations to reduce the risk of compromise.

FEMA BRIC Grant Application Period Now Open

• Applications are now being accepted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the ;
• $1B in grant funds are available through BRIC;
• The application period ends July 23;
• Interested applicants and sub applicants may review the Notice of Funding Opportunity on ;
• Interested applicants should contact their FEMA Regional Office or visit the for further information.

ɫ��AV Government Affairs Hosts 3DEP Meeting

• ɫ��AV Government Affairs hosted a meeting last week of the 3DEP Mapping Coalition;
• The group focuses on responding to the growing needs for current, high-quality topographic data and three-dimensional representations of the nation’s natural and constructed features, which aligns with the needs of public works professionals as they work to better mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters with reliable mapping tools;
• Among the participants were officials and representatives from the Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Society (USGS), American Society of Civil Engineers, International Association of Emergency Mangers, The Pew Charitable Trust, and U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization (U.S. GEO);
• ɫ��AV has worked with the 50-plus member 3DEP coalition to emphasize the emergency management/first responder role of public works professionals pertaining to the design, distribution, and implementation of cutting-edge mapping technologies;
• Additionally, ɫ��AV has partnered with 3DEP in submitting letters to Congress and across multiple Presidential administrations advocating about the importance of funding for 3DEP mapping, including:
  • A from Members of Congress to the U.S. House Subcommittee for Interior, Environment and Related Agencies for 3DEP funding in the FY27 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

ɫ��AV Comments on Department of Education Workforce Pell Grant Changes

• As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Department of Education had requested comments related to that agency’s expected July 1 implementation of changes to the Pell Grant program;
• ɫ��AV CEO Scott Grayson weighed in on this request;
• “… we believe that shortening the eligibility timeframe to as little as eight weeks (150 hours) for programs to qualify for a Workforce Pell grant offers a tangible improvement over the current system. It stands to reason that allowing more individuals to consider programs which are shorter than the traditional 15-week minimum for current Pell eligibility, while still culminating in an industry-recognized, portable certificate, degree, or credential, has the potential to appeal to more people,” Grayson said in the letter;
• These changes would allow for shorter, eight-week programs to be eligible for Pell funding, rather than the traditional 15-week threshold, thus allowing for more training programs to qualify for Workforce Pell funding.

Department of Education Finalizes Workforce Readiness Definition

• To prioritize workforce readiness in federal grant competitions, the Trump Administration has updated definitional terms to include adult learners and incorporated mentorships as an option for work-based learning;
• Read about these changes .

On the Horizon

(All times ET)

• April 15 at 11 a.m., the Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing, ;
• April 16 at 2 p.m., the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee will hold a hearing to review the .

Explore ���ʰ´�’s Member Advocacy Tools:

• Follow on and
• ɫ��AV Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Resource page
• 119th Congress Public Policy Priorities & Policymaker Primers
• ɫ��AV Washington Report
• Legislative Action Center
• “What is Public Works?”
• Tell Your Story
• Public Works Research 

“Transportation is one of, if not the most, visible parts of public works. Every day, millions of people travel on roads we maintain, cross bridges we inspect, and walk along sidewalks and trails we help design and maintain. What they rarely see are the professionals behind the scenes—reviewing crash data, adjusting signal timing, repairing guardrails, setting up work zones, plowing snow before dawn, or responding to emergency closures,” said ɫ��AV President Vic Bianes, PE, in this month’s President’s Message.

Here’s a taste of what else is in this packed issue:

• ɫ��AV member Megan Patent-Nygren shares how can help manage traffic.
• Member Tony Roos writes about a good way for communities thinking about installing their first roundabout. !
• Looking for ideas on how to have safer streets? Member Steve L. Naber tells how .

And as always, there’s more, so .

A Preview of Next Month’s ɫ��AV Reporter

The May issue is a special double issue packed full of info about the future of public works. Plus the Top 10 Public Works Leaders of the Year will be revealed, as well as candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election! Don’t miss it.

The next edition of the Ottawa Report is scheduled to be sent at the end of April.

Latest News

Reminder: Complete Buy Canadian Questionnaire

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) is gathering input from construction stakeholders across Canada. They want to hear directly from industry professionals about sourcing decisions, barriers to using Canadian and interprovincial suppliers, and readiness to shift toward domestic products. The questionnaire now closes on April 30, and takes approximately 13 minutes to complete.

If you have not yet completed it, you can access the questionnaire here: .

CPWA’s input is important and will help inform ongoing federal analysis and the development of HICC’s Buy Canadian policy. Thank you in advance for your time and participation.

Major Housing and Infrastructure Announcement in Ontario

On March 30, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister Gregor Robertson , improve affordability, and invest in the infrastructure communities need to grow. As part of this partnership, we have reached an agreement with Ontario on the Build Communities Strong Fund. This fund will provide a combined $8.8 billion over 10 years to invest in housing enabling infrastructure and post-secondary related infrastructure in Ontario, while substantially lowering development charges in the province.

Development charges (DC) will be reduced by up to 50 percent for three years in Ontario’s largest and fastest-growing cities, covering approximately 80 percent of the province’s population. Reducing these levies will accelerate home building across the province. Municipalities that have already reduced residential DCs will have these recognized, provided they maintain the reductions for a three-year period. Ontario is committing to not levy other taxes that hinder the housing supply for three years.

As a part of this deal, Ontario and Canada have concluded negotiations on the delivery of federal support for several major public transit projects, including:

• The Ontario Line
• Eglinton Crosstown West Extension
• Scarborough Subway Extension
• Yonge North Subway Extension
• Hamilton Light Rail Transit network
• Waterfront East Transit ($1 billion federal contribution to be matched by Ontario/Toronto, to be funded via Canada Public Transit Fund)
• A signal of support for ongoing discussions around GO Expansion (GO 2.0)

The $8.8 billion towards housing and education infrastructure will be used for projects such as water/wastewater, transit systems, local roads, parks and recreation, and academic/student buildings.

In addition to Development Charges, requirements for this funding include:

• Supporting Canadian workers and business by encouraging the use of Canadian suppliers, content, and materials.
• Supporting good jobs and a strong workforce through factoring in the use of unionized labour and encouraging the leveraging of the Red Seal Program.
• Identifying employment opportunities through Community Employment Benefit Agreements.
• Supporting climate resilience and climate action and competitiveness in community infrastructure.

Today’s announcement is said to support almost 90,000 well-paying careers and inject more than $10 billion into Canada’s GDP.

Canada and Alberta Sign Infrastructure MOU

The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta a new approach to accelerate major infrastructure development as part of Canada’s broader effort to build a more resilient, diversified economy. A draft Canada–Alberta Co‑operation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment has been released for a 21‑day public consultation period.

The proposed agreement introduces a “one project, one review” assessment model for major infrastructure projects in Alberta. This streamlined process is intended to reduce duplication between federal and provincial reviews, enabling projects to move forward more quickly while maintaining strong environmental standards and respecting Indigenous rights.

The agreement is designed to support the development of strategic infrastructure, including energy pipelines, rail infrastructure, power generation facilities, and an integrated and expanded electricity transmission grid. By modernizing and accelerating infrastructure approvals, Canada and Alberta seek to attract investment, create thousands of high‑paying jobs, and strengthen Canada’s position as a global energy supplier.

Parliamentary Business

Senate Committee Reviews Climate Policy Progress

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources examined the 2025 Progress Report on Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, with testimony from senior officials at Environment and Climate Change Canada emphasizing climate resilience and the economic costs of inaction. During questioning by senators, the Assistant Deputy Minister at Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alison McDermott, underscored that the government closely tracks these costs, citing figures from the Insurance Bureau of Canada showing that extreme weather events caused in insured losses in 2024, the most destructive year in Canadian history, and an additional $2.4 billion in losses in 2025. She noted that these impacts inform federal decision‑making and help justify investments in adaptation, including $6.8 billion dedicated to addressing climate risks such as wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat. The meeting reflected on the focus on disaster risk reduction, adaptation spending, and protecting communities and the economy against escalating climate impacts.

Federal Funding Awarded

Public Safety Canada Announces Funding for Search and Rescue Projects

Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, has launched a call for proposals under the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF).

The SAR NIF provides up to $6.5 million annually to support new and ongoing projects that enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and innovation of SAR activities across Canada, including both prevention and emergency response.

In addition, the federal government announced a one-time investment of . These projects will strengthen SAR capacity nationwide by improving training, leadership, governance, and volunteer recruitment and retention, as well as by enhancing community-level response capabilities and advancing tools that improve coordination and prevention.

Federal Government and New Brunswick Invest in Wastewater Infrastructure

In an effort to expedite home development, the Government of Canada, along with provincial and municipal partners, is investing over to upgrade wastewater infrastructure. The funding will support a new pumping station and sewer upgrades, enabling a mixed use development with up to 500 new housing units. The project unlocks infrastructure needed for large scale housing construction.

Federal Government Invests in Toronto Infrastructure

The Government of Canada is investing over in the City of Toronto through the community stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund to strengthen core infrastructure that supports housing growth and livable communities. The funding will help improve public transit accessibility, including upgrades to subway stations through the Toronto Transit Commission’s Easier Access Program, such as elevators, accessible doors, and enhanced wayfinding.

Federal Government Invests in Water Infrastructure Upgrades for Newfoundland

The Government of Canada, together with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and municipal partners, is investing over to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure in ten municipalities across western Newfoundland. The funding supports ten projects aimed at strengthening essential municipal systems needed for future housing growth.

Federal Government and Transdev Canada Invest in Electric Transit

As part of Canada’s transition to a net-zero future, the federal government is supporting the electrification of public transit and school bus fleets. Transdev Canada received over from the Zero Emission Transit Fund to develop an electrification plan for its Ontario school bus fleet, strengthening its readiness for zero-emission deployment. The company already operates more than 100 electric school buses nationwide and has been investing in electric school transportation since 2016.

Build Canada Homes Accelerates Affordable Housing in New Brunswick

In partnership with the Province of New Brunswick, the federal government is investing $150 million through the Build Canada Homes initiative to support the rapid construction of up to shovel ready affordable homes, with the potential to expand to 1,500. The governments will work with municipalities to remove construction barriers, including expedited permitting, reduced or waived development fees, and temporary property tax relief where available. Approximately 30 percent of the homes will be built in small and rural communities, supporting construction activity beyond major urban centres.

ɫ��AV has created a toolkit to help you celebrate the event and recognize public works professionals as first responders.

Checklist to Get Started

• Download the National First Responders Day (NFRD) sample proclamation. Add your town/municipality/province/territory name to the designated places and submit the request to your lieutenant governor’s or commissioner’s office. Note: Many offices require 30 days to process a request.
• Download MP3 files of 15- and 30-second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that share quick, impactful NFRD messages. Consider sharing these PSAs with local radio and TV stations. We’ve created a How To Request a PSA document to help you get started. Or use these PSA scripts to record your public works director reading them for sharing on your website and social media.
  • 15-second PSA, female voice
  • 15-second PSA, male voice
  • 30-second PSA, female voice
  • 30-second PSA, male voice
• Download the Public Works First Responder symbol. Note: The file named 1×1 Public Works First Responder Symbol is a square shape, which works well for social media posts.
• Gather photos or video clips of your team serving as first responders in your community. Example photos would include crews removing trees and limbs from roadways after a storm, public works professionals putting up barriers in preparation for a public event, or snowplow drivers clearing roads during winter weather. Use these photos or video clips in social media posts leading up to and on May 1.
• Download NFRD rectangular and square photo frames for use on social media. Then, create a schedule for social media posts in support of NFRD. NFRD is on a Friday, so you might consider the following schedule:
  • April 24: Post a one-week-out message that shares how your agency will be celebrating NFRD. If you plan on posting regularly leading up to NFRD, share that message.
  • April 30: Post a Throwback Thursday message that reminds people of a time when your agency served as first responders in your community. Include the hashtag #TBT or #ThrowbackThursday.
  • May 1: Post two or three times throughout the day. Consider kicking the day off by sharing ���ʰ´�’s video featuring ɫ��AV President Vic Bianes, PE (video link to be added soon). Or record your public works director reading this script for sharing on your website and social media. See below for sample posts.
  • Remember to include one or more of the following hashtags in your posts: #FirstResponders, #FirstRespondersDay, #NFRD.
• Download and print the “Why recognize public works professionals as First Responders?” flyer. Take copies to your city council meeting in May. Ask your council members to support National First Responders Day by issuing a resolution recognizing that public works professionals are first responders.
• Download our sample recognition email copy. This casual email greeting offers quick and easy messaging for you to use when communicating with your teams about observing NFRD. You can also customize it to mention things your agency is doing as part of your NFRD celebrations.

Sample Social Media Posts

Pre-NFRD

Next Friday is National First Responders Day. To celebrate, this week we’ll be sharing stories from our team about times they’ve served as first responders. Listen as [name of person] talks about responding to [details of event] during the [season] of [year]. #FirstResponders [Consider customizing this post based on the content]

Day-of

Did you know that public works professionals are first responders?

[Post ɫ��AV President Vic Bianes’ video message or a video featuring someone from your team.]

#FirstResponders

Today, we celebrate National First Responders Day! We’re proud to serve the people of [town/city name] as first responders alongside firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, 911 operators, paramedics, and other emergency personnel. #FirstResponders

For National First Responders Day, we’d like to show you how [town/city name] Public Works Department provides vital support to emergency response partners, helping protect and restore essential services after an emergency. Check out photos of our team in action in [year or month if in this year]. #FirstResponders

[Town/city name] Public Works Department is often the first in and last out when disaster strikes, clearing the way for EMS and ensuring essential services continue. #FirstResponders
There’s no better way to show your pride in public works as #FirstResponders than to wear it! Check out our full line of bold and bright First Responder gear in the today.

Additional Resources

Visit our Public Works as First Responders page for more information and resources about why public works professionals deserve this recognition and what you can do to help raise awareness.

National Public Works Week (NPWW) is May 17–23. We’re excited to share resources that will ensure your chapter’s NPWW celebrations shine! Visit www.apwa.org/npww to see what’s available, including the . We encourage poster orders to be placed by April 15 to ensure timely delivery.

By working together, we can make more noise during NPWW! We encourage you to:

• Submit a proclamation to your state governor’s or local mayor’s office. Or both!
• Use our official hashtag #NPWW in all your social media posts. Consider using a combination of any of the following hashtags: #PoweredbyCommunity, #RootedinService, #WeArePublicWorks, #PeopleMatter, and #PublicWorksService.
• Share with ɫ��AV national what your chapter is planning by filling out this brief .

Looking for a little inspiration in planning your NPWW celebrations? Questions may be sent to Aleatha Ezra.

ɫ��AV Awards Program – PACE

Nominations for the ɫ��AV Awards Program are now open FOR the Presidential Acknowledgment for Chapter Excellence (PACE), due June 1.

Click here to submit a nomination! Questions can be sent to Cameron Harmeyer at charmeyer@apwa.org.

New Initiatives Program Applications Due April 15!

The window to submit funding proposals to ���ʰ´�’s New Initiatives Program remains open.

At its core, this program exists to support entrepreneurial ideas that enhance the value of the experiences, services, education, and tools ɫ��AV provides. If you’ve been dreaming about a project that could strengthen your chapter, elevate public awareness, support frontline staff, advance technology, or contribute to any of ���ʰ´�’s strategic priorities—this is your moment.

Click here to complete a brief application outlining your concept, its purpose, and your operational plan. Reminder: applications are due April 15, and we’ll announce awardees by May 21.

ɫ��AV Committees and Councils

ɫ��AV is soliciting nominations for appointments to national-level committees, councils, and external representation groups for the 2026–27 year. For more information, please visit the nominations page on ���ʰ´�’s website. The nomination deadline is March 31.

Envision SP Training

Advance your expertise in sustainable infrastructure through ���ʰ´�’s live online Envision SP Training, delivered in partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). This four-day program, held May 4–7, prepares participants to apply Envision principles to real-world projects and qualifies them to sit for the ENV SP certification exam. Exam fees are included with registration.

Visit our webpage here for more information or to register.

Volunteer Opportunity: Stormwater Microcredentials

ɫ��AV is recruiting stormwater subject matter experts to contribute to the development of our new Stormwater Microcredentials. Volunteer opportunities are available in two areas:

• Education Content Development—Help shape the learning materials.
• Exam Item Writing—Help create and review exam questions.

Ideal volunteers include stormwater professionals in the public or private sector who work with stormwater programs or infrastructure. Training is provided—no prior experience required. Volunteers may serve in one role only.

For questions, contact certification@apwa.org.

Changes to the Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM) Program

ɫ��AV is excited to announce an update to the Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM) program that will launch in 2027. This update aligns ���ʰ´�’s stormwater education and credentialing, providing better overall experience for members and stormwater professionals.

Those applying under the current CSM program should be aware of the following:

• Eligibility applications will be accepted through June 30, 2026.
• After this date, applications will pause until the new CSM program launches in 2027.
• This transition period ensures that all eligible applicants have time to complete the current exam process.

For those who have already been approved for eligibility, the existing application and expiration date will remain valid. Once earned, the CSM credential will continue to be recognized under the new program, and it will be maintained through the regular recertification process. Learn more about the new stormwater credentials.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact certification@apwa.org.

ɫ��AV Accreditation Announcements

Accreditation is the mark of professionalism indicating a public works agency has made the commitment to continuous improvement in delivering public works operations and services to their community. Accreditation recognizes an agency’s policies, procedures, and practices, which have been evaluated against nationally-recognized management practices determined to be appropriate for that specific agency.

The following public works agencies were accredited in February 2026:

Region 5

• Crystal Lake, Illinois Public Works Department – 3rd accreditation

Region 7

• Houston, Texas Public Works Department – 4th accreditation

To help chapters recognize and celebrate accredited and re-accredited agencies, we have provided a toolbox to help. The toolbox information can be found here: Promote ɫ��AV Accreditation: Chapter Outreach Resources.

For further information on ���ʰ´�’s accreditation program, please feel free to contact Jeanette Klamm, Associate Director of Credentialing at accreditation@apwa.org.

Two New Chapter Outreach Resources!

Click Listen, & Learn (CLL)—���ʰ´�’s new CLL Toolbox shows how your chapter or agency can leverage CLLs in your chapter education programming/staff development plan. Click here to view the CLL Toolbox.

ɫ��AV Accreditation—Learn how you can promote the accreditation program and celebrate accredited agencies within their regions. Inspire agencies to explore self-assessment and accreditation, raising the standard for public works excellence across North America. Click here to learn more.

Host a Certificate Program at Your Chapter!

Discover the many benefits of hosting a certificate program at your chapter and get everything you need to put on a successful event. Click here to learn more.

Questions can be sent to education@apwa.org.

Chapter Special Event Insurance Update

ɫ��AV has secured a blanket insurance policy covering Roadeos and related types of events from January 15, 2026, through January 14, 2027.

We’ve negotiated a low, flat cost of $960 per event, providing protection for participants and peace of mind for your chapter. ɫ��AV will invoice the chapter/branch treasurer unless an alternate billing contact has been designated.

Here’s how it works:

1. Fill out the Chapter/Branch Roadeo Information Form at least 30 days prior to your event.
2. Submit the form at least 30 days prior to your event start date to chapterservices@apwa.org.
3. You’ll receive a certificate of insurance within 48 hours of submission.

Questions can be sent to chapterservices@apwa.org.

ɫ��AV Monthly Chapter Leader Training

The next ɫ��AV Chapter Leader Training will be held on April 13 at noon central time. The topic will be “What’s New in ɫ��AV Credentialing: Chapter Resources and Opportunities.”

Past Chapter Leader Training calls can be viewed by .

Invitations are sent to all chapter leaders approximately three weeks prior to the call. Questions can be sent to Jill Wilbeck.

Coming Soon: YP Summit Complimentary Registrations

ɫ��AV will continue offering complimentary registrations for the Young Professional (YP) Summit in 2026. This year’s goal is to use all 62 complimentary registrations and continue increasing overall attendance at the Summit.

To help achieve this, we are adjusting the process:

• Chapters will have until April 30 to identify a Young Professional from their chapter to receive complimentary registration.
• Beginning May 1, any remaining complimentary registrations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis by chapter.
• All applicants will complete an online intake form, which outlines eligibility requirements and serves as the tracking method for submissions.

Additional details will be shared with Chapter Leaders later this month. If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Weber.

If you need assistance finding information, contact ɫ��AV Director of Government and Public Affairs Andrea Eales at aeales@apwa.org. Follow ɫ��AV Government Affairs on and for timely updates.

March 23, 2026

Latest News

ɫ��AV Public Policy Survey Closes April 1

• What should be ���ʰ´�’s public policy priorities for the next Congress?;
• Share your vision in our ;
• The public policy priority documents are ���ʰ´�’s advocacy roadmap for working with Congress and federal agencies on key legislation and regulations impacting public works;
• ���ʰ´�’s current policy priorities are Emergency Management, Transportation, and Water Resiliency;
• Contact Andrea at aeales@apwa.org with questions.

U.S. Senate Passes WIPPES Act

• The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act (WIPPES) won unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate over the weekend;
• ɫ��AV is a longtime supporter of this legislation, , as it seeks to protect our wastewater infrastructure;
• In the previous Congress, ɫ��AV actively promoted the WIPPES Act and strongly advocated for its passage, along with public and private sector partners, and industry;
• We supported proposed changes to packaging and labeling to inform consumers and help prevent damage to our wastewater systems by making sure non-flushable wipes are accurately labeled;
• The bill now goes to the House, which passed WIPPES legislation in the previous Congress.

U.S. Senate Vote Expected on DHS Secretary Nomination

• The U.S. Senate is expected to vote, as soon as today, on the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK) to serve as the next Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary;
• Last week, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the nomination;
• Current DHS Secretary Krisit Noem will leave the position March 31.

White House Releases National Policy AI Recommendations

• The White House has released a , which offers the Trump administration’s recommendations to navigate AI challenges;
• This includes calling on Congress to preempt state laws that regulate the way models are developed, or that may penalize companies for how their AI is utilized by outside parties.

FEMA Announces BRIC Grant Program Update

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued an update on the status of the ;
• BRIC applicants and recipients are to contact their with questions.

FEMA Announces Millions for FIFA World Cup 2026 Security

• FEMA has announced that $625M has been awarded for the 11 cities hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches to enhance security preparations ahead of the tournament;
• Funding ranges from $32.3M for Seattle to $73.7M for Miami;
• This money, which is available via the allows state and local officials to hold operational exercises and strengthen cybersecurity defenses.

Reminder to FIFA Host Cities–Check out Available FTA Resources

• The Federal Transit Admin. (FTA) has announced other resources to support transit in cities hosting FIFA World Cup events;
• Resources include:
  • 2026 World Cup Public Transportation
  • FTA World Cup Funding Grant-Making
  • March 11 .

CISA Issues Advisory following Recent Cyberattack Against U.S. Organization

• Following a recent cyberattack against a United States-based company, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released an advisory urging ;
• The Stryker Corporation was hit by a cyberattack, March 11, prompting CISA to advise organizations to implement Microsoft’s newly released .

ɫ��AV Government Affairs Presenting at Iowa Chapter Spring Conference

• ɫ��AV Sr. Government Affairs Manager Marty Williams and Government Affairs Manager Leah Harnish will be presenting during the at the Iowa Event Center in Des Moines, March 25-27;
• If your chapter is interested in having Government Affairs participate in your chapter’s upcoming event, contact Andrea at aeales@apwa.org.

On the Horizon

(All times ET)

• March 25 at 10 a.m., the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing, ;
• March 26 at 10 a.m., the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a legislative hearing on ;
• March 26 at 10:15 a.m., the House Energy and Commerce committee has a hearing, ;
• March 26 at 2 p.m., the House Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing, .

Explore ���ʰ´�’s Member Advocacy Tools:

• Follow on and
• ɫ��AV Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Resource page
• 119th Congress Public Policy Priorities & Policymaker Primers
• ɫ��AV Washington Report
• Legislative Action Center
• “What is Public Works?”
• Tell Your Story
• Public Works Research 

Latest News

ɫ��AV and CABT Partners Weigh-in Against Bigger Trucks in FY 2027 T-HUD bill

• As a member of the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT), ɫ��AV speaks up frequently for safety on our roads and protecting infrastructure that can be damaged by allowing an increase in semitrailer truck lengths and weight;
• Congress is beginning the FY27 appropriations process and there are rumors of support for a pilot program to be included in the Transportation, Housing & Urban Development (T-HUD) appropriations bill allowing for bigger trucks;
• A letter has been sent by CABT partners, including ɫ��AV, to House and Senate Appropriations Chairs and Ranking Members urging them to reject any language to increase maximum truck weight or length limits on federal highways;
• Local roads and bridges are heavily impacted by what is allowed on our federal highways as the local infrastructure is often older and not built for the same capacity as highways, yet they serve the same traffic needs for access to necessary services when traveling;
• More information, including research on the impact of larger trucks, an action alert, and state level efforts and news, may be found at .

ɫ��AV Public Policy Priorities Survey is Out

• What should be ���ʰ´�’s public policy priorities for the next Congress?;
• Share your vision in our ;
• The public policy priority documents are ���ʰ´�’s advocacy roadmap for working with Congress and federal agencies on key legislation and regulations impacting public works;
• ���ʰ´�’s current policy priorities are Emergency Management, Transportation, and Water Resiliency;
• Questions? Contact ɫ��AV Director of Government and Public Affairs Andrea Eales at aeales@apwa.org.

Urge Congress to Fund FEMA and CISA

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are two agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) affected by the lapse in FY26 appropriations;
• ɫ��AV and our membership frequently work with FEMA and CISA on emergency preparedness and response, funding and training opportunities, and support to public works professionals as first responders;
• to email your U.S. Representative;
• to email your U.S. Senators.

ɫ��AV to Cohost Congressional PFAS Briefing

• ɫ��AV, in conjunction with our solid waste, water, and local government association partners, is again co-hosting a Congressional briefing on how PFOA/PFAS regulation uncertainty and potential liability impact their work to remove these harmful chemicals from the environment;
• ɫ��AV Past-President Dominick Longobardi, Deputy Comptroller for the Town of Hempstead, NY, will represent the local government perspective on the panel, along with other industry representatives, including:
  • Bryan Staley, president, Environmental Research & Education Foundation
  • Elizabeth Biser, former secretary for the North Carolina Dept. of Environmental Quality
  • Amanda Waters, general counsel and deputy general manager, AlexRenew, Virginia
  • Van Tran, director, Orange County Water District, California
  • Lynsey Baer, chief of engineering, Delaware Solid Waste Authority
  • Pamela Racey, chief commercial officer, Synagro
• The briefing will be held March 23 at 10:30 a.m. (ET) at the Capitol Visitor Center.

On the Horizon

(All times ET)

• March 17 at 10 a.m., the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee will hold a hearing, ;
• March 17 at 10 a.m., the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Water and Power Subcommittee will hold a , including multiple bills reauthorizing large-scale water reuse project grants;
• March 18 at 9:30 a.m., the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the to be the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security;
• March 18 at 10 a.m. the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the ;
• March 18 at 11 a.m., the U.S. Dept. of Transportation Advisory Board will meet. For additional information and online registration, .

Explore ���ʰ´�’s Member Advocacy Tools:

• Follow on and
• ɫ��AV Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Resource page
• 119th Congress Public Policy Priorities & Policymaker Primers
• ɫ��AV Washington Report
• Legislative Action Center
• “What is Public Works?”
• Tell Your Story
• Public Works Research 

“Every day, these dedicated professionals [solid waste professionals] demonstrate ���ʰ´�’s presence in neighborhoods large and small, ensuring communities remain clean, safe, and sustainable. Their work reflects a powerful purpose, and ɫ��AV remains committed to supporting the people who make it all happen daily,” said ɫ��AV President Vic Bianes, PE, in this month’s President’s Message.

In this issue:

• Rats. In New York City, rats can be quite a nuisance. Javier Lojan shares how the NYC Department of Sanitation is tackling the rat issue with .
• Find out how with the community through transparency.
• And how extended producer responsibility is .

There’s even more to digest in this month’s issue, so .

A Preview of Next Month’s ɫ��AV Reporter

The April issue is our Snow issue, and focuses on transportation. How about indulging in a roundabout rodeo? Or find out how variable speed limits work, and why even checking your phone at a red light slows down your travel time.

Latest News

ɫ��AV Government Affairs Survey is Out

• ɫ��AV Government Affairs is seeking your input regarding the association’s advocacy priorities for the next Congress that will be sworn into office in January 2027;
• Click to take the survey and help shape ���ʰ´�’s policy priorities;
• The survey will be open for two weeks, and once the results are in, the Government Affairs team and the Government Affairs Committee will review the results and begin updating the association’s legislative and regulatory priorities;
• The public policy priority documents are ���ʰ´�’s advocacy roadmap for working with Congress and federal agencies on key legislation and regulations impacting public works;
• ���ʰ´�’s current policy priorities are Emergency Management, Transportation, and Water Resiliency;
• If you have any questions, please contact ���ʰ´�’s Director of Government and Public Affairs Andrea Eales at aeales@apwa.org.

ɫ��AV Action Alert – Urge Your Member of Congress to Fund FEMA and CISA

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) are two agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) being impacted by the lapse in FY 2026 appropriations;
• ɫ��AV and our membership frequently work with FEMA and CISA on emergency preparedness and response, funding and training opportunities, and support public works professionals as first responders;
• Click to email your U.S. Representative;
• Click to email your U.S. Senators.

CISA Announces Nick Anderson as Acting Director

• Nick Anderson, the executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has been named as acting director;
• Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala, the former acting director since March 2025, has been re-assigned to serve as the DHS director of strategic implementation;
• Pending Senate confirmation of the President’s nomination of Sean Plankey, CISA will continue to be overseen by an acting director.

AASHTO and NOCoE Join the Engineering Workforce Consortium

• The Engineering Workforce Consortium (EWC) welcomed the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and its National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) to its ranks in a signing ceremony held Feb 24 in Washington, D.C.;
• ɫ��AV Director of Government and Public Affairs Andrea Eales joined other EWC representatives in welcoming the two new members;
• The is a forum of 20 leading professional societies, trade associations, and academic institutions working together to highlight the critical need for workforce recruitment, retention, and growth and ɫ��AV, along with ACEC and ASCE, is a founding member
• Click to read more.

Engineering & Public Works Roadshow Holds Open House on Capitol Hill

• For the second year in a row, the hosted an open house on Capitol Hill to meet, greet, and inform members of Congress and their staff about the diverse array of public works and engineering projects across the country and the need for continued federal investment in infrastructure;
• ɫ��AV Government Affairs Specialist Jeff Finegan represented the association and spoke to congressional staff about the association’s public works, infrastructure, and workforce development priorities;
• If you have a great infrastructure project to recommend for a Roadshow stop, email ɫ��AV Government Affairs Media Manager Mark Shade at mshade@apwa.org.

ɫ��AV Comments on Water Quality Certification Regulations

• ɫ��AV submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on their proposed rule to update the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 Water Quality Certification regulations;
• The comments centered around maintaining a clear and streamlined approach to requesting and approving certifications and protecting state authority in the Section 401 process;
• A final rule is expected to be published before the end of the year.

On the Horizon

(All times ET)

• On Mar. 3 at 9 a.m., the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to ;
• On Mar. 4 at 10 a.m., the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to
• On Mar. 4 at 10 a.m., the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing to mark-up S. 3923, the , introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA);
• On Mar. 4 at 2 p.m., the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee will hold a to discuss draft legislative proposals to amend the EPA’s Brownfields Program.

Explore ���ʰ´�’s Member Advocacy Tools:

• Follow on and
• ɫ��AV Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Resource page
• 119th Congress Public Policy Priorities & Policymaker Primers
• ɫ��AV Washington Report
• Legislative Action Center
• “What is Public Works?”
• Tell Your Story
• Public Works Research