Author: Crystal Yates

AGC of America is recruiting for members to serve on the Environmental Committee and/or the Climate Change Working Group. AGC invites members to share their expertise by serving on committees and volunteer roles that address pressing industry issues. Volunteers are critical in advancing solutions, exchanging ideas, and shaping the future of construction. Submit your Volunteer Application by October 17 to be considered for 2026 Environmental Committee appointments. Committee terms begin April 1, 2026 and end March 31, 2029. Short-term volunteer opportunities on the Climate Change Working Group are available for one-year service terms (with annual recommitment) based on calendar year. Your involvement strengthens…

On August 13, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the return of its Guidance Portal website. The Portal houses all EPA guidance documents across all programs managed at EPA headquarters. Guidance documents include memorandums, policy letters and statements, handbooks, manuals, and other materials labeled guidance. Guidance documents are best practices for compliance recommended by an agency. They are not legally binding, but they often provide the best path to compliance with agency regulations. AGC is concerned that agencies sometimes use guidance as an indirect form of regulation and has long supported steps to increase transparency to prevent this. EPA…

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has partnered with the National Immigration Forum to launch a new citizenship and immigration support portal. The portal provides two key services: it offers employees of member firms and their immediate family members a way to find out if they qualify for citizenship and if so, help in completing their application. In addition, the portal provides employees of members firms and their immediate family members with questions about their legal status can use the service’s helpdesk to verify their status and connect with immigration service providers. Further details on the process and the following…

Join us in Fort Worth, Texas, October 14–16, 2025, for the AGC Workforce & HR Conference, the premier gathering for HR, training, and workforce development leaders in construction. This year’s agenda will tackle some of the most pressing workforce challenges facing the industry through sessions on: Alongside these critical topics for recruitment, retention, and leadership development, you will be able to connect with peers from across the country through networking opportunities and facilitated conversation led by industry leaders. Register by August 29 to lock in current rates before prices increase, and don’t forget to book your hotel by September 22nd!…

On August 15, 2025, AGC of America sent a letter to Pres. Trump seeking changes to the mandate for project labor agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal construction projects and a meeting to collaborate further. AGC has long opposed government initiatives requiring or prohibiting the use of PLAs and maintains that PLA use should be left to the discretion of the contractor. (A copy of AGC’s formal policy on government PLA mandates is available here.) The letter discusses practical problems with the federal mandate and offers practical recommendations for easing the burden on contractors and for advancing economy and efficiency in…

ConsensusDocs recently published updates to the ConsensusDocs 500 Standard Agreement Between Owner and Construction Manager At-Risk. Construction Management At-Risk (CM@R), also known as CM/GC and CMc, is one of the three most commonly used project delivery methods in the design and construction industry. While design-bid-build is still the most commonly used project delivery method in the United States, CM@R and design-build are both increasing as a share of the marketplace. They are so well established that calling them alternative project delivery methods no longer seems appropriate. CM@R helps facilitate the early involvement of the General Contractor and trade partners, thereby…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened a docket to receive feedback on the Clean Water Act’s section 401 State Water Quality Certification process, during which states can place conditions or additional requirements before a federal CWA permit can proceed. In its responses (here and here), AGC of America highlighted time delays and extraneous requirements that can beleaguer projects moving through the process. The intent of the certification process is to ensure that federally permitted activities do not degrade a state’s water quality. AGC raised long-standing concerns that states may add public access, cultural, and wildlife considerations as conditions to…

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has partnered with the National Immigration Forum to launch a new citizenship and immigration support portal. The portal provides two key services: it offers employees of member firms and their immediate family members a way to find out if they qualify for citizenship and if so, help in completing their application. In addition, the portal provides employees of members firms and their immediate family members with questions about their legal status can use the service’s helpdesk to verify their status and connect with immigration service providers. At the Associated General Contractors of America, we…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is relaunching the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program. The PAID program and other compliance assistance programs were specifically included in the construction industry’s priorities that AGC outlined in a letter to President Trump at the outset of his administration. PAID, originally launched in 2018 and then shuttered by the Biden administration, is returning and expanding to include the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under PAID, employers are encouraged to conduct audits and, if they discover FLSA or FMLA violations, to self-report those violations. Employers may then work in good faith…

The Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently gave the green light for federal contractor audits and investigations involving disability and veteran bias to immediately resume. While affirmative action obligations based on race, sex, and other Executive Order 11246 (EO 11246) categories remain nullified under a January executive order from President Trump, the agency’s July 2, 2025, announcement means it is back in business for enforcing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 503) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). Here’s what your business needs to know and do. What Just Happened? On…