There was some encouraging news out of Washington last week for the tree care industry.

The Administration’s newly released 2026 Regulatory Agenda includes a projected October 2026 publication date for OSHA’s proposed Tree Care Standard. While there are still several procedural steps ahead, including review by OSHA’s legal team and the Office of Management and Budget, the rulemaking appears to remain on the trajectory we’ve been hearing about for months.

As we’ve discussed before, there’s still a reasonable chance the proposal slips until after the November midterm elections, but the important takeaway is that the Tree Care Standard continues to move forward and remains an active priority within OSHA. As we’ve seen, dates frequently shift, but inclusion in the agenda is often an important indicator that work is continuing behind the scenes.

In other OSHA news, the agency’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention rule has been pushed to a later timeline. OSHA is now expected to issue a supplemental proposal in December 2026 before moving toward a final rule in 2027.

A few additional federal developments worth noting:

Commercial Driver Regulations – FMCSA is advancing several trucking and driver-related rulemakings, including a proposal that could make English Language Proficiency violations an out-of-service offense and changes to commercial driver’s license and training requirements.

Wildfire Mitigation Standards – FERC’s ongoing wildfire-related rulemaking for the electric grid remains under development, with no next action date currently identified.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Employment Authorization – USCIS issued updated guidance following a recent Supreme Court decision affecting TPS beneficiaries from several countries. Employers with workers whose employment authorization is based solely on TPS should review their workforce records and be prepared for potential I-9 reverification requirements before July 10.

As always, TCIA will continue monitoring these developments and keep members informed as new information becomes available.

Federal agencies continue to experience leadership changes and staffing transitions. While these developments don’t necessarily alter policy priorities, they can influence the pace of regulatory review, enforcement, and implementation. For industries awaiting major rulemaking, including ours, they serve as a reminder that process and personnel often matter just as much as policy.

For now, the overall direction remains encouraging. Progress in Washington is rarely linear, but this week’s news suggests our industry continues to move in the right direction, and that’s a good reason to head into the weekend feeling cautiously optimistic.

Happy Friday!