April 2026 | Advocacy never slows down. This monthly brief is your window into what ILTA is tracking, influencing, and advancing, so you can stay informed on the issues shaping our industry.

Safe Vessel Access Coalition Kickoff

On April 16, ILTA, the American Waterways Operators, and the TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification) Council held a kickoff meeting for the Safe Vessel Access Coalition (SVAC), a joint initiative between the three associations to develop a non-binding best practices guide to improve personnel transfer to and from terminal facilities and barges.

The one-day meeting featured representatives from each association sharing their respective industry concerns and pain points related to personnel crossing the gangplank. The coalition intends to hold future meetings on this topic as the group works collaboratively toward producing a draft document, ideally by the end of the year.

Why This Matters

Always striving to improve safety at terminal facilities, this is an opportunity to bolster cooperation between different sectors of the energy supply chain while working toward a common goal. This area of workplace safety is currently unregulated, and proactively developing non-binding guidance using input from operators engaged in this aspect of terminal operations could help direct future regulatory conversations.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to Attend Budget Hearings in House, Senate

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin will be on Capitol Hill in the coming weeks to testify before the House of Representatives and the Senate on the EPA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget.

Administrator Zeldin appeared before the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, April 27, the House Energy & Commerce (E&C) Committee on Tuesday, April 28, and the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on Wednesday, April 29. The EPA’s budget hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet been scheduled as of the writing of this brief.

Why This Matters

In a budget document published April 2026, Administrator Zeldin listed “reduc[ing] per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) risks to the public” as one of two agency priority goals for FY 2026-2027. As Congress continues to discuss PFAS contamination and potential liability exemptions, greater clarity from Administrator Zeldin on his plan for enforcement discretion will be a key part of the broader discussion.

ILTA PAC Hosts Fundraiser for U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS-2)

The ILTA PAC hosted a fundraiser for Representative Bennie Thompson on April 28. Rep. Thompson currently serves as ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. The committee is tasked with legislating issues related to national security threats while simultaneously providing oversight to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its component agencies, including the United States Coast Guard. As ranking member, Thompson plays an influential role in shaping the committee’s agenda and policy priorities.

Rep. Thompson has been an ally of ILTA priorities, including his support of H.R. 5061, which is designed to keep the nation’s critical infrastructure safe from unauthorized drone flights.

Why This Matters

This engagement strengthens ILTA’s relationships with key policymakers who influence national security and infrastructure protection. Rep. Thompson’s role on the House Committee on Homeland Security positions him to shape policies that directly impact terminal operations, including safeguards against unauthorized drone activity. Continued alignment on these priorities helps ensure the industry’s perspective is represented as legislation and oversight efforts move forward.

ILTA Hosts First In-Person Government Affairs Committee Meeting

ILTA hosted its first in-person meeting of the Government Affairs Committee on April 15 at the ILTA office, bringing together government affairs professionals from across the membership.

The meeting focused on ILTA’s two main advocacy priorities: CERCLA liability exemptions for PFAS-based foam usage at terminal facilities, and ensuring terminal facilities are defined as critical infrastructure and protected from unauthorized drone usage. The meeting also included discussion on how to increase member engagement in government relations.

Why This Matters

As ILTA continues to strengthen engagement in the Government Affairs Committee and the association’s broader advocacy efforts, feedback from the membership is extremely valuable. ILTA aims to provide more in-person opportunities for government affairs professionals and strongly encourages future member participation.

If you are interested in joining an ILTA Committee or Working Group, please complete this form.

Advocacy 101: How ILTA is Making a Difference in Washington, a CEU-bearing session at ILTA 2026, will break down how legislation and regulation move from concept to law and where ILTA is involved along the way.

Led by ILTA’s Government Affairs team alongside industry leaders, this session will provide a clear view of the issues being advanced on behalf of terminal operators.

Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how ILTA works with Congress and federal agencies and where ILTA terminal members can engage in the process.

Join us June 15–17 in Houston for the full Conference experience and earn CEUs while gaining practical insight into the policies impacting your work.

Register now for full access. Registration rates increase May 1.