In response to the recently resurgent, and well funded, efforts of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union and sprinkler system manufacturers to persuade state and local government agencies to mandate sprinkler system retrofits in apartment communities, NAA has been active in conducting nation wide research and developing a national strategy to educate government officials of the true economic costs of these projects. In 2007, NAA witnessed the Pipefitters' Union press for a statewide sprinkler retrofit regulation in New Jersey. The Union is also currently supporting sprinkler retrofit legislation that has been introduced in South Carolina and Virginia. As the Union has experienced a decline in jobs due to the economic slowdown caused by the housing market slump, NAA anticipates the Union will continue to push its retrofit agenda wherever and whenever it senses the opportunity to do so, as it knows government mandated sprinkler retrofitting will result in more jobs and clear economic gain for its members.

In South Carolina the latest version of the state's plan to get fire sprinklers in more homes and businesses offers an 80 percent property tax credit for voluntary installation and allows local governments to impose their own regulations. The bill now shifts the incentives from tax credits that would impact state coffers to credits for property taxes, which are paid to local governments. This bill has been passed out of subcommittee and now will be reviewed by the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee in early March. After consideration of the full committee, the bill would go to the Senate for a vote. Also in the mix is a House-approved plan that gives tax credits worth 80 percent of the cost, up to $50,000, for homes and businesses to purchase and install fire sprinklers. Purchasing the systems also would be free of sales tax. House and Senate members likely will have to negotiate the final legislation. Earlier proposals had called for a statewide mandate on sprinklers in commercial buildings but due to lack of support, the Senate subcommittee decided it was better to allow local governments to impose stricter regulations if they choose.

In Virginia, SB 363 which called for mandatory sprinkler retrofitting was referred to the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology. The bill originally failed for lack of a motion, but at the last minute was resurrected and carried over to the 2009 session at the request of its sponsor. HB 333 has been tabled in House General Laws at the sponsor's request. Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D- 71), who sponsored the bill, intends to reintroduce an amended version of the bill next year that would apply the retrofit requirements only to senior and assisted living buildings, similar to what was introduced in 2006.