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PHTA Supports Bipartisan Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Reauthorization Act

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PHTA Supports Bipartisan Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Reauthorization Act

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, announces its support of the bipartisan Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act (VGBA), which was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 23, 2025, by U.S. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), John Carter (R-TX-31), and Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01). H.R. 4751 seeks to reauthorize and update 2008 legislation requiring every public pool in the United States to install safe drain covers that prevent suction entrapment, in an effort to decrease drownings in pools and spas. 

The VGBA aims to improve the safety of all pools and spas by increasing the layers of protection and promoting uninterrupted supervision to prevent child drowning and entrapment. The VGBA requires every public pool in the United States to install safe drain covers that prevent suction entrapment; initiates a grant program for states, municipalities, and Indian Tribes to support water safety education and enforce pool and spa safety laws; and launches Pool Safely, a national drowning prevention public education campaign.

“The VGBA closely aligns with PHTA’s core purpose, which is to promote safe and healthy pool and hot tub environments for people to share enjoyable aquatic experiences. We are very pleased to see its reauthorization reintroduced in the House with bipartisan support,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “PHTA is proud to have developed two industry safety standards that establish requirements for suction outlet fitting assemblies and suction entrapment avoidance that are VGBA compliant. This legislation has proven to save lives, and PHTA will continue to advocate for its reauthorization.”

In the U.S., drowning kills nearly 4,000 people every year and is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1-4. PHTA has supported the VGBA since its original introduction and applauds the Congresspeople who have voted for the reauthorization of this lifesaving legislation. During PHTA’s annual Day on the Hill event, VGBA reauthorization is one of the main topics PHTA members discuss with their local representatives and senators to show that the pool, spa, and hot tub industry is united in support.

PHTA members and industry advocates are encouraged to contact their Congressional representatives and voice support for H.R. 4751.

For more information, contact Justin Wiley, PHTA Vice President of Government Relations, Standards, and Codes, at [email protected].

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

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Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at [email protected].

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AquatiCare™: Proactive Pool Maintenance You Can Count On

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AquatiCare™ is Landmark Aquatic’s newly enhanced preventative-maintenance program, built to keep your water safe, your systems reliable, and your downtime low. Customized service plans align with each facility’s unique needs, covering equipment inspections, routine maintenance, and precise chemical care. Water is your business; staying on top of it is ours. We get ahead of issues before they surface, so your water is ready for anyone, anytime.

With AquatiCare™ facilities get technicians that are factory trained, Certified Pool Operators (CPOs) that also receive continuous, certified training so technicians stay current on industry standards, safety protocols, and the latest technological advancements. AquatiCare™ also offers in-depth maintenance of chemical, deck and mechanical items to help extends equipment life, optimize water consumption, and create a more sustainable operation. AquatiCare™ packages are fully customizable, with maintenance visits scheduled to align with a facility’s specific needs.

Landmark Aquatic is a premier provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance, with more than six decades of industry leadership. Serving clients nationwide, Landmark delivers construction-led solutions supported by its CPO-certified AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions.

For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com

More information contact:

[email protected]

1-888-871-2887

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RB Retail & Service Solutions adds DocuSign to Software

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RB Retail & Service Solutions now offers DocuSign as an integrated feature in their pool and spa industry business software. This electronic signature and agreement platform lets you send, sign, and manage documents securely online, instead of using paper contracts. Integrated directly within the RB system so staff can work with contracts and request signatures without exiting the POS software. Allows users to send contracts (e.g., sales agreements, financing forms, service waivers), track status, send reminders and easily pull signed contracts attached directly to the customer. Provides security and compliance with encrypted documents and detailed audit trail.

RB Retail & Service Solutions provides point of sale and business management solutions for pool & spa and chimney & hearth retailers. The software was specifically designed with those industries in mind, taking into consideration the features that would be of most importance to those business owners. RB is a highly experienced and trusted authority in the industry and its software boosts profitability, competitiveness, work/life balance of owners and employees, efficiency, and the ability to make more informed, data-driven decisions about their business.

RB Retail & Service Solutions software was created over 20 years ago by a pool and spa professional to handle the diversity and complexity of the pool and spa retail, service, and construction business. Our software is continually enhanced, and further developed with suggestions and input from hundreds of pool and spa dealers throughout the United States and Canada. Call to schedule a demo.

To learn more or to schedule an online demo, call or visit their website:

(866) 933-9099

Monroeville, PA

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BSquared offers New Free Standing Sunledge

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BSquared Pools offers a new freestanding sunledge that can be added to any outdoor living space! The new Free Standing Sunledge is a patent-pending product that gives consumers the benefits of a sunledge without the need for having a pool! Manufactured from the same pool-strength polypropylene panels used in its pool kits, this ‘plug-n-play’ solution can be used independent-of or in-combination-with a pool. Interior measures 72” x 82” with 235 gallons of water. Gentle overflow waterfall. Accommodates various pool loungers. Made in USA.

www.BSquaredPools.com

419-708-9631

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