NPMA Legislative Day 2026: Why Advocacy Matters More Than Ever

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) 2026 Legislative Day will take place March 15-17 in Washington, D.C., bringing pest management professionals from across the country together for one of the industry’s most important advocacy events of the year. Amid continued uncertainty on Capitol Hill, Legislative Day provides an important platform for education, collaboration and direct engagement with policymakers on issues affecting public health, food safety, property protection and the future of the pest management industry.

The three-day program combines policy-focused education with hands-on advocacy. Attendees will take part in keynote presentations, expert-led panels and sessions addressing emerging regulatory and legislative challenges. The centerpiece of the event remains in-person meetings with lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill.

For NPMA, one provision remains the industry’s top priority: state pesticide preemption. NPMA and others have long advocated for consistent federal standards that prevent a patchwork of local pesticide regulations, which could disrupt pest management operations and weaken public health protections. A provision to codify the role of state lead agencies as co-regulators of pesticides is expected to be included in the long-delayed Farm Bill. While uncertainty remains about whether a Farm Bill will be finalized in 2026, Megan Striegel, senior director of public policy, NPMA, said momentum still exists, particularly in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“There’s always a chance,” Striegel said. “Chairman G.T. Thompson has been clear that he wants to get something done, and there’s still activity on the House side. But ultimately, all roads lead to the Senate and whether there’s interest there to move forward.”

Striegel said the extended Farm Bill debate has helped reinforce the importance of the issue.

“This isn’t a last-minute ask,” she said. “Preemption has been in the base text before, and we expect it to be included again. What this process has allowed us to do is continue educating lawmakers on why this provision is critical for our industry and the communities we serve.”

That education will be front and center during Legislative Day, as NPMA members deliver a focused, unified message to congressional offices. Striegel said maintaining a single, clear request helps lawmakers understand what the industry needs and why it matters. Despite political volatility in Washington, the pest management industry remains resilient. Still, Striegel said engagement at the federal, state and local levels is essential.

“Things can change quickly, often without warning, especially at the state and local level,” she said. “We can’t take anything for granted. If we’re not at the table telling our story, someone else will tell it for us.”

Today’s political climate presents both challenges and opportunities. While misconceptions about pest control and pesticide use persist across the political spectrum, this creates an opportunity for the industry to reintroduce itself and explain its value. “We’re not afraid to have tough conversations,” Striegel said. “We’re willing to sit down with lawmakers, regulators and even traditional opponents to explain what we do and try to find common ground.”

Those conversations are increasingly happening through NPMA’s growing State Policy Affairs Representative (SPAR) program and through state-level lobby days, where pest management professionals proactively build relationships with lawmakers, even in states without pressing legislative threats.

Another opportunity for PMPs to have their voices heard is face to face meetings with their elected officials during Capitol Hill visits. Nothing replaces the impact of in-person advocacy, Striegel said. “Policymakers would rather hear from their constituents than from me,” she said. “When a business owner from their district explains how they protect public health, food safety and homes, that connection is powerful and irreplaceable.”

Learn more about Legislative Day and register at www.npmapestworld.org.