AGC of Minnesota Update to All Members
for the Week Ahead (March 23, 2015) 

What You Need to Know About the Legislative Session

Watch the Update over the coming weeks for timely information about

events at the Capitol of interest to the construction industry

 

Public Private Partnership (P3) Legislation Getting Attention

Several public private partnership bills have been introduced in the 2015 Legislature. A listing of links to these P3 bills is included below. In expectation that the Legislature may take up P3 initiatives in 2015, AGC convened a multi-disciplinary P3 Working Group last summer. The group was able to produce a P3 White Paper (available here) to serve as a guiding document of principles that any P3 legislation should consider and directly address.

  

 AGC testified this week in the House Transportation Committee, expressing concerns about many aspects of a P3 authorizing bill that was being considered. The AGC P3 White Paper was used as a basis for comments on the bill. The bill was held over for possible inclusion in a larger omnibus bill later in the session. Additional P3 legislation was scheduled to be heard on Friday afternoon (SF 87) as part of the Senate Transportation Committee's consideration of an omnibus Transportation Funding bill. AGC will be also be testifying on this bill and distributing the P3 White Paper.

 

1. Senator Dibble's Omnibus Transportation Funding bill (SF 87) (sec. 5, page 38)

2. Rep. Kelly (HF1924) and Senator Dibble (SF 1648) 

3. Rep. Sanders (HF 1723 and Sen. Rest (SF1629)

 

AGC Responsible Contractor Act Amendments Bill Making Progress

AGC-sponsored legislation to fix many of the concerns regarding the 2014 Responsible Contractor Act (RCA) has passed another major legislative hurdle. Last week, the AGC-sponsored Senate bill (SF1121) passed to the Senate floor, where it awaits further Senate action. This week, the companion House bill (HF1257) was amended and passed out of the House Government Operations Committee to the House Commerce Committee. The bill now awaits Commerce Committee action next week before reaching the House floor. 

 

The House version of the AGC bill makes many substantive and necessary changes to the RCA.   A copy of the House bill can be found here. Some of the more prominent AGC-sponsored changes to the RCA included in the House bill provide:

  • Clarification of a "material supplier"
  • Accommodation of trucking concerns that allows annual certifications from truckers
  • Clear definition of what determines a "repeated" violation of prevailing wage laws
  • Elimination of notarized certification signatures and acceptance of electronic signatures
  • Elimination of the requirement that all bidders collect subcontractor certifications and requiring just the apparent low bidder to comply
  • Clarification that local governments may not apply other measures that may determine Responsible Contractors.

AGC will continue advocating for passage of these necessary changes. All members are urged to contact their local legislators and press them to support passage of HF1257/SF1121. For further information or additional details, contact Tim Worke at 651-796-2185.

Scholarship Application Available

The AGC 2015-16 student scholarship application form is now available on the AGC website here. If you know a college student in the construction trades, please encourage him/her to apply for a scholarship. For further information, contact Merry Beckmann at [email protected].

Labor Relations Seminar

On April 7, we will present a breakfast seminar on Union Jobsite Actions: Picketing, Strikes, Banners and Leafleting.  This session will look at the differences between these activities and an employer's rights when these activities occur on a jobsite.  This is important information for jobsite project managers and superintendents. Registration for this seminar is available here.

Erosion Control/Stormwater Permit Certification Training

On March 27, AGC of Minnesota, in partnership with the University of Minnesota, will offer a one-day program for installers that will result in certification relevant to projects where an NPDES stormwater permit is required.  The day will conclude with a certification exam.  The session will be held at the AGC office.  Details of the training, and how to register, are available here.

Diversity, Good Faith Efforts and Anti-Harassment Seminar

Everyone in the industry knows there are diversity goals and reporting requirements, but how are you to meet them? What about reporting changes? What can you do to increase Good Faith Efforts? Does your company have an anti-harassment/discrimination policy? On March 31, join with others and learn more about these critical issues. Details and how to register can be found here.

Blue Book Network Showcase

The Blue Book Network Showcase, the construction industry's premier networking and educational event, will be held Wednesday, April 8, at TCF Bank Stadium. All AGC members are invited to participate in this free networking opportunity. If you want to make new contacts, reconnect with past ones, and learn about the latest tools to build your business, you won't want to miss this. Click here for more information.

AGC Bookstore Monthly Featured Product -

Diversity Rules: Harassment Prevention, Sensitivity, and Correction Training

for Construction Workers and Supervisors

Through its on-line bookstore, AGC of America offers monthly featured products, available at a discount to AGC members. A link to the bookstore is available through our home page, www.agcmn.org, or at http://store.agc.org?AffiliateId=AGCO254.

 

Created exclusively for the construction industry, Diversity Rules is one DVD with two training videos, each designed to aid construction employers with harassment prevention, sensitivity and correction training. Short enough to be presented during an on-the-job toolbox session, the video for workers includes seven video vignettes that address issues such as sexual harassment (including sexual orientation and transgender status), age harassment, gender harassment (including family responsibilities), racial harassment, and religious harassment. The video for supervisors includes all of the scenarios in the worker video, plus three additional videos that show supervisors how to handle tough conversations with workers about harassment and how to avoid inadvertently discriminating against workers.

 

This item is available during the month of March at a 20% discount plus FREE shipping using coupon code HR20.



  


Associated General Contractors of Minnesota | |  [email protected] | http://www.agcmn.org
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651-632-8929

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