Rep. Stanton Visits Project in Arizona
On September 3, in partnership with Arizona Builders Alliance and Arizona Chapter-AGC, AGC of America hosted U.S. Representative Greg Stanton for a tour of the South Mountain Freeway.
Read moreAGC Provides Comments on DOL Apprenticeship Rule
On August 26, AGC of America submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule to establish a new system for government approval of apprenticeship programs that would operate in parallel with the existing registered apprenticeship system. The new system would provide for recognition of “Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs” through an expedited and streamlined process. The proposed rule states that the construction industry would not “initially” be eligible to participate in the new system.
Read moreAGC on the Road in Kansas
On August 29, U.S. Representative Roger Marshall toured JE Dunn Construction and Martin K. Eby’s $75 million joint venture project for a new minor league baseball stadium in Wichita, Kansas.
Read moreAdministration Finalizes AGC-Supported Reforms to Endangered Species Act
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.
Read moreConstruction Employment Increases in 40 States and D.C.
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 the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released on August 16. 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.
Read moreEEOC Opens EEO-1 Component 2 Pay Data Collection Portal
On July 15, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) officially opened the Web-based portal for the reinstated EEO-1 collection of pay and hours worked data for calendar years 2017 and 2018. The EEOC also provided a series of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) regarding the new requirements and a More Info Page to assist filers. The More Info page provides additional resources such as a sample form, an instruction booklet, a user’s guide, a fact sheet, and reference documents.
Read moreBipartisan Senate Measure Will Help Improve Aging Road and Bridge Network
The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, released the following statement in support of the newly introduced, bipartisan Senate surface transportation legislation, the America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act:
Read moreAGC Key Vote: the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act
Today, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) notified members of the U.S. House of Representatives of its intent to key vote H.R. 748, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019. The association supports this bipartisan legislation that would repeal the 40 percent excise tax on employer-sponsored health coverage and employee benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Read moreAGC Submits Comments in Response to the RFI Issued by OSHA
On June 10, AGC and its coalition partners submitted comments in response to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) request for information on issues related to requirements in the standards on powered industrial trucks for general, maritime, and construction industries. OSHA has sought information regarding the types, age, and usage of powered industrial trucks, maintenance and retrofitting of powered industrial trucks, how to regulate older powered industrial trucks, the types of accidents and injuries associated with operation of powered industrial trucks, the costs and benefits of retrofitting powered industrial trucks with safety features, and the costs and benefits of all other components of a safety program including operator training.
Read moreAGC Supports OFCCP’s Increased Focus on Compliance Assistance
On June 7, AGC submitted comments to the U. S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) in response to its proposal to institute a new approach in reviewing federal construction contractors’ compliance with OFCCP’s Affirmative Action Program (AAP) and record-keeping requirements through compliance checks. OFCCP intends for these compliance checks to be less burdensome, but exercised in greater quantity as opposed to more intensive compliance reviews or audits. If OFCCP determines during the compliance check that the contractor has not maintained AAPs, affirmative action specifications, and required records, OFCCP will provide individualized compliance assistance to help the contractor come into compliance and may place the contractor in a pool for a future compliance evaluation. The amount of information for contractors to submit would be more extensive for direct federal contractors than federally assisted contractors.
Read more