Author: clara.kinney@agc.org

Building on our “PFAS Questions and Considerations” document, AGC of America just released a supplement to explore related contract language. Find these resources (and more) in a new PFAS resource center on the AGC website. Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long-lasting and highly useful chemicals found in everyday products across all areas of the economy. PFAS may be present on all types of construction sites in dirt, groundwater, or even materials. The regulatory framework for PFAS is evolving rapidly at the federal and state level, with two designated as hazardous substances in 2024. Currently, the construction industry does not have…

AGC has been engaged with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under multiple administrations regarding the agency’s proposed federal heat rule. The proposed rule would require new compliance requirements, mandatory rest breaks when temperatures reach 90 degrees, along with access to water and shade—practices many contractors already follow on jobsites. As OSHA considers moving forward with the rule, first proposed during the Biden Administration, a group of U.S. Senators recently sent a letter raising concerns about several aspects of the proposed rule. The Senators emphasized that their goal is to strengthen worker safety while ensuring the rule can be implemented effectively. Many of the issues raised in the letter align…

Rising tensions in the Middle East are increasing uncertainty in global energy markets. In late February, global oil prices were trading around $70 per barrel before climbing above $100 per barrel as concerns grew about potential disruptions to energy supplies.  Why Energy Prices Matter for Construction   Higher energy prices can affect construction in several ways. Diesel powers heavy equipment, trucks, and generators on job sites, while transportation networks rely on fuel to move materials and machinery. When oil prices rise, contractors may face higher operating and logistics costs that can strain project budgets.  Energy prices also affect the production of key construction materials. Manufacturing materials such as steel, cement, and asphalt require significant heat and electricity. When those…

Registration is now open for the 2026 Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In and AGC Caucus. This meeting gives members an opportunity to hear from key transportation policy officials in Washington, D.C., and the chance to set up meetings with their congressional delegations to urge Congress to pass the next highway and transit funding bill. Member participation this year is especially critical ahead of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s expiration at the end of this September. As part of this event, AGC will hold a Caucus Meeting on May 11 to give members an opportunity to meet and engage with key transportation policymakers in a smaller, discussion-oriented setting, such as…

Rising gasoline prices following recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have renewed discussions in Washington about temporarily suspending the federal gas tax. The federal gas tax currently stands at 18.4 cents per gallon and serves as the primary funding source for the Highway Trust Fund, which supports federal investments in highway and transit infrastructure. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) introduced legislation to suspend the federal gasoline tax through October 1, 2026, and Representative Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) has announced plans to introduce a companion measure in the House. According to reports, the White House has been exploring options to lower fuel prices after crude oil costs increased following disruptions to energy…

This member issue advisory is not legal advice, but rather general policy analysis. As always, member companies should consult their own legal counsel and trade expertise for their own use. On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, struck down the President’s drug trafficking, trade deficit “reciprocal,” and other associated tariffs that he imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by holding that IEEPA does not confer tariff authority to the President. Later in the day, the President issued an executive order that terminated the now-invalidated IEEPA-implemented tariffs and imposed via proclamation…

On March 4, the House Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing on legislative proposals relating to Brownfields redevelopment. AGC of America signaled support for the proposals in a Statement for the Record for the subcommittee’s hearing. AGC members build projects that intersect or overlap with Brownfields sites (e.g., old dry cleaners and gas stations). The proposals would streamline permitting and provide innovative financing for “nationally significant” projects such as energy generation as well as increase funding and resources for states and small communities. The Brownfields program is an important tool for redevelopment. Despite this, the presence of a Brownfields site…

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a notice seeking public comment on a proposed modification to its existing Buy America waiver for electric vehicle (EV) chargers used in Federal-aid highway projects. Under the current waiver, EV chargers must undergo final assembly in the United States, and at least 55 percent of the cost of components must be domestically manufactured. FHWA is now considering increasing that domestic content threshold to as much as 100 percent of component costs. The proposal follows a 2023 temporary public interest waiver issued after FHWA determined domestic manufacturing capacity was still ramping up. FHWA now…

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently announced Every Day Counts Round 8, continuing the long-running program to promote the rapid adoption of proven innovations in transportation. For more than a decade, the Every Day Counts (EDC) initiative has encouraged state DOTs and local agencies to deploy practical tools and processes that improve safety, shorten project timelines, and strengthen infrastructure management. Round 8 includes six focus areas: Advancing Nighttime Work Zone Safety focuses on improving safety for workers and drivers during nighttime construction, when crash risks are often higher. The initiative encourages agencies to adopt more consistent nighttime practices, including improved…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division recently published a proposed rule designed to help workers and employers better understand when a worker is an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act and when he or she may be properly classified as an independent contractor. The proposed rule would rescind the department’s 2024 rule addressing the classification of independent contractors and replace it with an analysis similar to the one adopted by the department in the first Trump administration in 2021 which AGC supported. AGC also joined in a legal challenge to the 2024 rule. The analysis in…