Why it Matters
The American Council of Engineering Companies spent $1.175 million in Q1 2025 on lobbying. This represents a significant quarterly investment for the trade group. The focus on the FTC’s proposed non-disclosure agreement rules signals urgent concerns. Engineering firms rely heavily on NDAs to protect proprietary designs and client information.
By the Numbers
ACEC used its in-house lobbying team for the $1.175 million effort. The organization has filed 79 lobbying disclosures since 2003. Total historical spending exceeds $61.6 million over 22 years.
Six lobbyists worked on the effort:
- Matthew J. Reiffer: 6+ years House experience, 67 ACEC filings since 2008
- Katharine Mottley: 6+ years House experience, 70 ACEC filings since 2008
- Steven V. Hall: Former Chief of Staff, 78 ACEC filings since 2003
- Fernando Perez Gomez Jr.: 8 years congressional experience, 11 ACEC filings since 2022
- Jordan David Charles Baugh: 13+ years experience including Senate EPW Committee
- Bradley Jay Saull: 2+ years House Homeland Security Committee experience
Broader Context
The FTC attempted to ban non-compete agreements in 2024. Federal courts struck down that rule in August 2024. The agency has since signaled interest in regulating other workplace agreements. This includes non-disclosure agreements that engineering firms use extensively. ACEC represents nearly 6,000 firms employing over 600,000 professionals.
The Agenda
ACEC’s lobbying focused specifically on “issues related to the proposed FTC rule on non-disclosure agreements.” Engineering firms use NDAs to protect proprietary design methods and client information. They also safeguard competitive bidding strategies and technical innovations. The firms need to balance employee mobility with business protection.
Competitive Landscape
Other engineering firms are also lobbying on related issues. AECOM spent $260,000 in Q2 2025 on international trade and environmental review. HDR Inc. lobbied on DoD construction policy. Tetra Tech spent $60,000 on Naval Facilities Engineering matters.
Professional associations are active too. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers lobbied on copyright law for engineering standards.
Between The Lines
Congress continues oversight of infrastructure implementation and procurement reform. Rep. Pete Stauber’s Parity in Engineering Act seeks to remove state barriers for engineering firms. The House Small Business Committee held hearings on how regulations add 25% to construction costs.
Multiple members have engaged with ACEC state chapters. Rep. Ed Case met with ACEC Hawaii. Sen. Deb Fischer recognized ACEC Nebraska. This shows the organization’s broad congressional relationships.
The Bottom Line
ACEC’s substantial Q1 spending reflects genuine concern about FTC regulatory actions. The organization’s experienced lobbying team and congressional relationships position it well. The focus on NDAs highlights how federal regulations can impact specialized industries. Engineering firms face a complex regulatory environment across multiple agencies and states.
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