Federal Government
With U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators at home in your areas for the congressional recess, you may have an opportunity to engage them on the top issues facing the industry, including Workforce Development, Immigration, and Federal Highway & Transit Infrastructure Reauthorization. Find out more information on how you can help AGC engage on these issues.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=577025&issueID=64872 to view the full article online.
Federal Agencies
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Emphasizes technology usage in construction
On August 16, AGC members met with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resident engineers from across the country for an interactive training session at the VA Acquisition Academy in Frederick, Md. AGC members gave an overview of construction technology tools including a deep examination of Building Information Modeling (BIM). Members emphasized the importance of early communication by VA personnel on technology requirements in solicitations, gave insights on the type of technology that industry uses (e.g. laser mapping and aerial drones), and emphasized the value associated with certain types of technology that is appropriate for a variety of VA construction projects. AGC frequently engages in training sessions with federal agencies and remains dedicated to further educating federal agencies on the construction process.
For more information, contact Jordan Howard at jordan.howard@agc.org or (703) 837-5368.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=576997&issueID=64872 to view the full article online.
The Trump administration has finalized the first steps in AGC supported changes to streamline and modernize the implementation of the Endangered Species Act, which can be unpredictable and add delay and cost to the permitting and construction of infrastructure projects.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=577000&issueID=64872 to view the full article online.
IRS responds to AGC comments regarding the “One Bad Apple Rule”
On July 29, the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) finalized a rule intended to make it easier for smaller businesses to band together and offer retirement plans to employees. Under the rule, ARPs could be offered by associations of employers in a city, county, state, or a multi-state metropolitan area, or in a particular industry nationwide. In addition to association sponsors, the plans could also be sponsored through Professional Employer Organizations (PEO). A PEO is a human-resource company that contractually assumes certain employment responsibilities for its client employers. The final rule effective date is September 30, 2019.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=577001&issueID=64872 to view the full article online.
In mid-August, AGC prepared written recommendations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the agency works to review and revise the decade-old Compensatory Mitigation Rule, which addresses mitigation requirements for Clean Water Act (CWA) permits. AGC’s recommendations focus on how the Corps could reduce mitigation uncertainty and inconsistency in the process, increase mitigation banking capacity, and help alleviate some of the delays on projects related to the CWA permit approvals. AGC also encourages the Corps to provide for alternative, programmatic, and multipurpose options for mitigation.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=577003&issueID=64872 to view the full article online.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (“OLMS”) recently made technical changes to the poster that federal contractors and subcontractors are required to display under Executive Order 13496. The poster informs employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”). The Department updated the poster to reflect a new telephone number for the National Labor Relations Board, the agency responsible for enforcing the NLRA, and to provide contact information for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. No other changes or updates were made at this time.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=577008&issueID=64872 to view the full article online.
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Upcoming Events
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AGC News
Texas and Wyoming have biggest number and percent of annual job gains, while Louisiana lags; Texas and Utah experience largest one-month gains as Ohio and Alaska have worst declines
Forty states added construction jobs between July 2018 and July 2019, while construction employment increased in 25 states from June to July, according to an analysis by AGC of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials said the new jobs totals indicate there is a need for new federal investments in career and technical education programs, along with immigration reform.
Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2019/08/16/construction-employment-increases-40-states-and-dc-july-2018-july-2019-while-25 to view the full article online.
Apply by Wednesday, October 23, 2019
AGC of America is proud to announce the launch of the 2020 AGC Awards competitions! The Construction Risk Partners Build America Awards (including the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence category) and AGC in the Community competitions recognize the nation’s most impressive construction projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure, and federal and heavy divisions; those contractors excelling in their partnering and collaborative endeavors; and the charitable contractors and chapters giving back to their communities. AGC member companies and chapters in good standing who meet the competition requirements are encouraged to apply online for some much-deserved recognition. Apply by Wednesday, October 23, 2019 for full consideration.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=577029&issueID=64872 to view the full article online.
