Author: agcnews
Grappling with the maze of marijuana laws and your company policy? On this episode, Bill Judge of Drug Screening Compliance Institute talks about considerations for employers to create and enforce drug-testing policies that are consistent with the laws in all of the states in which they operate – as well as best practices for addressing safety-sensitive roles. Guest:William J. Judge, JD, LL.M.Drug Screening Compliance Institutebjudge@drugscreeningci.comwww.askbilljudge.com Resources:At the federal level, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Many federal contractors and all federal grantees are required by law to establish and maintain a drug-free workplace policy. In…
Total construction spending declined by 0.7 percent in August as spending on new houses turned sharply lower, while public and private nonresidential construction posted mixed results, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released today of federal spending data. Association officials said that rising interest rates were hurting demand for housing and many private-sector projects while the impacts of new federal funding for infrastructure, semiconductor plants and green energy facilities have yet to fully kick in. “The construction market is in a transition that is likely to accelerate in the months ahead,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief…
Total construction spending increased by 0.2 percent for the month of September and by 10.9 percent for the year as nonresidential construction activity now outpaces residential construction, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released today of federal spending data. Association officials noted that gains in public sector transportation construction have lagged other fast-growing segments as officials grapple with Buy America and other new regulatory requirements. “Demand remains strong for a range of nonresidential construction segments despite supply chain challenges and rising interest rates,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “But transportation infrastructure investments…
Grappling with the maze of marijuana laws and your company policy? On this episode, Bill Judge of Drug Screening Compliance Institute talks about considerations for employers to create and enforce drug-testing policies that are consistent with the laws in all of the states in which they operate – as well as best practices for addressing safety-sensitive roles. Guest:William J. Judge, JD, LL.M.Drug Screening Compliance Institutebjudge@drugscreeningci.comwww.askbilljudge.com Resources:At the federal level, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug (www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling) under the Controlled Substances Act. Many federal contractors and all federal grantees are required by law to establish and maintain a drug-free…
AGC goes to the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the practice of pre-bid interaction between public owners and contactors that ultimately leads to better RFPs and projects. AGC of America, with support from AGC of New York State, filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court on September 6 to protect the legal and recommended practice of pre-bid interactions between contractors and public owners, prior to a formal solicitation or request for proposals (RFP). The case involves a criminal conviction based on the “right to control” legal theory of fraud where a contractor provided significant input pre-bid for development projects in…
Grappling with the maze of marijuana laws and your company policy? On this episode, Bill Judge of Drug Screening Compliance Institute talks about considerations for employers to create and enforce drug-testing policies that are consistent with the laws in all of the states in which they operate – as well as best practices for addressing safety-sensitive roles.Guest:William J. Judge, JD, LL.M.Drug Screening Compliance Institutebjudge@drugscreeningci.comwww.askbilljudge.com Resources:At the federal level, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Many federal contractors and all federal grantees are required by law to establish and maintain a drug-free workplace policy. In addition, some…
Construction employment increased in 246 or 69 percent of 358 metro areas between August 2021 and August 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. But association officials noted the job gains likely would have been higher if firms could find more qualified people to hire and train. “While roughly two-thirds of metro areas added construction jobs in the past year, the number would be still higher if contractors could find enough qualified workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The record number of construction job openings and ultra-low unemployment rate for workers…
AGC has the latest on Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) legislation for his long-awaited permitting reform for energy infrastructure, as the clock ticks towards another government shutdown. AGC previously reported that Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency (START) Act, which is supported by most Republican Senators but does not appear to have a path to passage. On September 21, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced legislation (summary) his long-awaited permitting reform for energy infrastructure. Some highlights of the legislation include: The legislation will be attached to a continuing resolution that must be passed before the end of the month to…
Objections Deadline Now October 19, 2022 The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has granted an extension for federal contractors to object to the release of their EEO-1 data. The new deadline is October 19, 2022. With the deadline still looming, Alissa Horvitz of the law firm Roffman Horvitz provided AGC of America a guide for contractors covered by this FOIA request to follow as they consider their options and potentially object to their particular company’s EEO-1 release. Objection guide can be found here. In case you missed it, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is offering all federal government contractor organizations…
Do the risks outweigh the benefits of using prefabricated construction on your next project? ConsensusDocs recently held a webinar and emphatically concluded that, yes, the benefits far outweigh the risk so long as you have the right contractual tools to address the many small and large issues that arise when using prefabrication. In addition, new proposed federal rules may change how off-site work is treated under Davis-Bacon and the application of prevailing wages. However, the trend toward prefabrication, especially in a post-Covid-19 outbreak construction world, will undoubtedly continue. It was also announced that ConsensusDocs is preparing for publication a prime-level…