Intermountain Business Alliance

07/08/2026

**FROM AN IBA FORUM TO THE U.S. SENATE: RESTORE MCOOL**

Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling was one of the issues raised at the **Intermountain Business Alliance’s first forum**. Now, it is gaining bipartisan momentum in Washington.

On August 6, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved an amendment to restore MCOOL for beef.

IBA strongly supports this effort.

American ranchers should be able to clearly identify American beef. Consumers should know where their beef was **born, raised, and harvested**.

**If it is American beef, the label should say so.**

This is about transparency, fairness, food security, and giving U.S. producers a stronger position in the marketplace.

IBA forums are designed to take real concerns from businesses and producers and carry them directly to policymakers.

MCOOL was raised at our first forum. Now it is moving forward in Congress.

Let’s keep it moving.

25/07/2026

IBA Regulatory Alert: EPA Proposes Changes to Heavy-Duty Engine Rules and DEF Deratements

The Intermountain Business Alliance is informing businesses, transportation companies, farmers, contractors, equipment operators, and manufacturers of proposed changes to federal heavy-duty engine regulations.

On July 14, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed revisions affecting model year 2027 and later heavy-duty highway engines, trucks, agricultural equipment, construction machinery, and other diesel-powered equipment.

A significant part of the proposal addresses diesel exhaust fluid system failures and the engine slowdowns, commonly known as DEF deratements, that can leave otherwise operational vehicles and equipment running at severely reduced power.

The proposed changes include:

• Revising emissions warranty and regulatory useful-life periods
• Clarifying compliance requirements and correcting regulatory errors
• Allowing nonconformance penalties for manufacturers beginning in model year 2027
• Amending selective catalytic reduction system inducement requirements
• Considering new inducement guidance for vehicles and equipment already in use

DEF-related deratements can create costly disruptions for trucking, agriculture, construction, mining, manufacturing, and other essential industries.

EPA Virtual Public Hearings

July 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET
July 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET

https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/public-hearing-and-public-comments-amendments-and

The Intermountain Business Alliance encourages affected businesses and equipment owners to review the proposed rule, participate in the public hearings, and submit comments by August 29, 2026.

IBA supports practical environmental regulations that protect air quality while ensuring that critical vehicles and equipment are not unnecessarily disabled by emissions-system malfunctions.

https://advocacy.sba.gov/2026/07/15/epa-proposes-to-revise-heavy-duty-engine-rules-and-end-def-deratements/

16/07/2026

REGULATORY ALERT: CMS PROPOSES SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO HOME HEALTH CARE AND DME POLICY

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have released their proposed CY 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System rule, introducing changes that could have meaningful financial and operational consequences for home health providers, durable medical equipment suppliers, and the patients and families who depend on these services.

The proposal addresses Medicare reimbursement, case-mix and LUPA policies, wage-index considerations, quality reporting, palliative care, provider enrollment, and DME requirements.

For affected businesses and healthcare organizations, now is the time to engage.

The Intermountain Business Alliance strongly encourages industry leaders to review the proposed rule, evaluate its potential impact on their operations and patients, and submit meaningful comments before the August 31, 2026, deadline.

Sound regulatory policy requires the direct participation of those who understand its real-world impact.

The businesses and professionals affected by these decisions must have a seat at the table.

https://advocacy.sba.gov/2026/07/07/cms-proposes-home-health-prospective-payment-system-rate-update/

https://www.regulations.gov/document/CMS-2026-2311-0002

14/07/2026

INTERMOUNTAIN BUSINESS ALLIANCE APPLAUDS SUSPENSION OF CMMC PHASE II REQUIREMENTS

The Intermountain Business Alliance applauds the Department of War’s decision to immediately suspend the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Phase II requirements that were scheduled to take effect on November 10, 2026.

The excessive cost, complexity, and administrative burden associated with CMMC compliance were first raised as a significant concern by Utah defense contractors and small businesses during our Intermountain Business Alliance Utah Regulatory Listen and Learn Forum in Sandy, Utah. Participants warned that the requirements could force qualified small, medium-sized, and nontraditional businesses out of the Defense Industrial Base, reduce competition, hinder innovation, and delay the delivery of critical capabilities to America’s warfighters.

The Department’s decision preserves the existing Phase I cybersecurity baseline while suspending pending and future Phase II implementation milestones. It also establishes a 60-day review to identify scalable and resilient cybersecurity measures that protect federal information without imposing prohibitive compliance costs on smaller defense suppliers.

Cybersecurity and the protection of covered defense information must remain national priorities. However, those objectives can be achieved without creating unnecessary regulatory barriers that exclude innovative American companies from supporting our national defense.

We commend Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chief Information Officer Kirsten A. Davies, Under Secretary Michael Duffey, the Small Business Administration, and Department leadership for listening to the concerns of the defense business community and taking decisive action.

This announcement demonstrates why the Intermountain Business Alliance’s Regulatory Listen and Learn Forums are so important. When business owners, government officials, and industry leaders work together to identify burdensome regulations and advance practical reforms, meaningful change is possible.

The Intermountain Business Alliance will continue working with Utah businesses and federal policymakers throughout the CMMC review process to support strong cybersecurity, greater competition, and continued access to America’s most innovative defense manufacturers and technology providers.

https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4542329/forging-the-arsenal-of-freedom-department-of-war-suspends-cmmc-phase-ii-require/

12/07/2026

The Intermountain Business Alliance is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

Senator Graham devoted decades of his life to public service, national security, and the people of South Carolina. His leadership, conviction, and distinguished service to our nation leave an enduring legacy.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, staff, and the people of South Carolina during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those mourning his loss.

—Intermountain Business Alliance—

04/07/2026

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the Intermountain Business Alliance is proud to champion practical regulatory reform and serve as a strong voice for the businesses, entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers, and workers who have helped build our nation.

For 250 years, American enterprise, innovation, and determination have strengthened our communities and expanded opportunity. We look forward to continuing that legacy by helping government become a partner—not a barrier—to American business.

Happy Independence Day from the Intermountain Business Alliance!

13/06/2026

Intermountain Business Alliance Announces Major Progress on Federal Grazing Issue Identified at St. George Listen and Learn Forum

The Intermountain Business Alliance is pleased to announce a major step toward resolving one of the key issues identified during our first Listen and Learn Forum in St. George in October 2025: the need to restore responsible grazing access, reduce federal permitting delays, and protect ranchers who rely on public lands.

This issue was elevated through the hard work and leadership of Hayden Ballard, who served as our agriculture facilitator at the St. George forum. His ability to listen directly to producers, identify the practical barriers facing ranchers, and help bring those concerns forward played an important role in ensuring this issue was clearly understood and properly communicated.

We would like to thank U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins for her June 12, 2026, announcement issuing a comprehensive directive to all U.S. Forest Service employees. This directive advances the USDA–U.S. Department of the Interior Grazing Action Plan and supports the implementation of the Advancing Grazing on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Lands Memorandum of Understanding.

The directive is designed to strengthen American ranching, restore multiple-use management on federal lands, and combat regulatory lawfare against producers. It also reaffirms grazing as an essential tool for healthy landscapes, food security, rural economies, and vibrant working communities.

The USDA directive focuses on several priorities that directly reflect the concerns raised by ranchers and agricultural stakeholders, including:

* Expanding access by prioritizing vacant and closed grazing allotments;
* Maximizing grazing flexibilities to keep working lands working;
* Streamlining permitting and allotment authorizations to eliminate unnecessary delays;
* Elevating the voice of rural Americans and ranching families;
* Improving agency service and engagement with producers.

The Intermountain Business Alliance was created to give businesses, producers, and communities a stronger voice in identifying the regulations and policies that impact their ability to operate, grow, and serve the public. This announcement demonstrates why Listen and Learn Forums matter. When local concerns are clearly identified, organized, and communicated, they can help inform real policy solutions.

We are grateful to Secretary Rollins, the USDA, the Department of the Interior, and the many ranchers, producers, facilitators, and community leaders who continue to work toward practical solutions that protect agriculture, strengthen rural America, and preserve responsible multiple-use access on public lands.

The Intermountain Business Alliance will continue working with businesses, agricultural producers, elected officials, and federal and state agencies to identify barriers, elevate local voices, and support solutions that strengthen Utah, the Mountain West, and rural communities across the country.

**Intermountain Business Alliance**
Strengthening business, agriculture, and communities through listening, leadership, and action.

[1]: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/06/12/usda-issues-directive-restore-grazing-national-forest-lands-and-strengthen-support-americas-ranchers?utm_source=chatgpt.com "USDA Issues Directive to Restore Grazing on National ..."

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23/02/2026

23/02/2026

Business leaders' forum discusses challenges with government regulations

Feb 04, 2026 03:03PM ● By Tom Haraldsen

Leaders gather to discuss the overregulation of their businesses during a forum sponsored by the Intermountain Business Alliance.

18/02/2026

Red Tape Roundtable with the U.S. SBA Office of Advocacy
February 20, 2026
2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Utah Tech University – Holland Building
225 S. University Avenue
St. George, Utah

The Intermountain Business Alliance invites business owners, professionals, and community leaders to attend our Multi-Industry Regulatory Roundtable (Open Session) focused on real-world regulatory reform.

Featuring:
• Casey Mulligan
• Trent Staggs

This solutions-oriented discussion will address regulatory challenges impacting:

✔ Competitiveness
✔ Productivity
✔ Profitability
✔ Interstate commerce
✔ Insurance and compliance costs

The conversation will focus on practical federal and state reforms. Your input will help shape actionable policy recommendations.
This is an open session designed for meaningful dialogue and measurable outcomes.
Hosted by: Intermountain Business Alliance
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