Voice of Land Professionals Draws Attention in Washington

AAPL Member Alert —  Legislative Update

The Build Back Better Act budget bill — for which AAPL delivered a letter to key U.S. senators opposing many of its provisions — has stalled in the U.S. Senate and will not be passed this year.

As noted in his letter, AAPL President James T. Devlin, CPL, expressed our association’s strong opposition to the methane fee and more than 10 other provisions, which would negatively impact our profession.

President Joe Biden held negotiations with the bill’s main holdout, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), but those talks failed to advance the bill.  The administration itself with insiders are now reporting that no consensus could be met before the self-imposed Christmas deadline and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) office now confirming that this vote will not happen in 2021.

And as a testament to the strength of the AAPL president’s letter to senators (and the power of an association of more than 11,000 land professionals), earlier this week AAPL governmental affairs was contacted by legislative staff for Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) who indicated that the senator read our letter, agreed with our positions and is now reaching out to our Montana local association to put the senator in touch with his constituents. We are hopeful other senators, including Sen. Manchin and additional undecided lawmakers, were moved by our letter.

As we move into a new year, AAPL governmental affairs will continue to advocate for our members and protect your right to practice your profession. And as always, should this legislation advance in 2022, we will keep you informed.