Author: agcnews
On Jan. 9, AGC urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose H.R.535, the PFAS Action Act of 2019. The bill, which is expected for a floor vote on Jan. 10, threatens to derail and overwhelm ongoing efforts at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study PFAS and develop science-based, protective regulations for specific types of PFAS when warranted. AGC further expressed its concern that the bill may result in mandates that put construction contractors unnecessarily at risk of Superfund liability on normal, “every day” projects where trace amounts of PFAS may be found in the dirt or groundwater. This bill…
On Jan. 9, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed important steps to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, which can be a circuitous, time-intensive, and costly environmental review step for many infrastructure projects. AGC is pleased the proposal appears to set clear timelines for completing reviews as well as clear up ambiguous wording and definitions that have led to litigation and delayed projects over the years – steps recommended by AGC in the prior comment period. “The administration is right to seek to make the review process more efficient and cost effective without sacrificing environmental protections, thereby allowing…
On Dec. 20, President Trump signed two spending packages totaling $1.4 trillion, preventing another year-end government shutdown and providing annual funding to all agencies of the federal government through September 30, 2020. Overall, federal construction accounts saw about a nine percent increase—or $12.4 billion—in funding in comparison to FY2019 funding levels. A full AGC analysis of federal and federal-aid construction accounts for FY2020 can be found here.
On January 8, AGC of America submitted comments on the National Labor Relations Board’s latest proposed rule to modify union representation-case procedures. Not to be confused with the Board’s “quickie election” rule, which addresses different representation-case procedures, the present rulemaking proposes three changes: (1) replacing the Board’s current “blocking charge” policy with a vote-and-impound procedure that would allow representation elections to move forward while an unfair labor practice charge is pending; (2) modifying the current “voluntary recognition bar” policy by re-establishing a notice requirement and a 45-day open period within which to file an election petition following an employer’s voluntary recognition of a union under…
What’s old is new again at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as numerous district offices have recently expanded their use of fact-finding conferences.
On January 8, AGC of America submitted comments on the National Labor Relations Board’s latest proposed rule to modify union representation-case procedures.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently published the updated Federal Contract Compliance Manual (FCCM).
Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas and Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev. Have Largest Gains While New York City and Danville, Ill. Lag the Most; Industry Survey Shows Strong 2020 Demand for Projects and Workers Construction spending rose 4.1 percent from November 2018 to November 2019, while industry employment grew in 226, or 63 percent, out of 358 metro areas, according to a new analysis of federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that its recent survey found most contractors are optimistic about the dollar value of projects available and expect to keep adding workers in 2020 but they are finding…
Natural Disaster Impacts on Construction Projects – PART 2: In this final episode, our expert panel explores how to navigate through a complex property and/or business interruption claim, common insurance policy coverage issues, and strategies to full recovery after a natural disaster. Check out Part 1 for best practices on preparing for and mitigating the impacts of a natural disaster. Speakers:Tracy Alan Saxe, Partner at Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. www.sdvlaw.comFrank Russo, Founder/Principal at Procor Solutions + Consulting www.procorllc.comJoseph Poliafico, Global Director Insurance & Risk Management at Interstate Restoration www.interstaterestoration.com Read more or listen to Part 1 here:www.agc.org/news/2019/12/18/new…n-projects-–-part-1
We kick-off this two-part series discussing how natural disasters affect construction; pre-loss planning; lessons learned in mitigating losses – including insurance considerations before the event; and challenges in restoration and resumption of business operations, immediately post-impact. Stay tuned for Part 2 for expert advice on how to present a natural disaster claim for insurance recovery. Listen in as three experts in claims management, litigation and restoration discuss how they have worked through these tough issues and offer their advice on how you can do the same. Speakers:Tracy Alan Saxe, Partner at Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. www.sdvlaw.comFrank Russo, Founder/Principal at Procor…