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

AGC Responsible Contractor Amendment Bills Introduced

AGC of Minnesota sponsored legislation introduced this week that would make multiple substantive and necessary changes to the 2014 Responsible Contractor Act (RCA). The bills (HF1257/SF1121) present an early and rough approximation of the many changes and fixes that contractors deem are necessary in order to avoid the unintended consequences, overly severe penalties, and significant administrative compliance burdens of the RCA.   While a flat out repeal of the law is politically unlikely, many of the proposed changes have legitimate merit and impactful purpose. The language included in the proposed bills represents a starting point for discussion with the law's proponents and should not be viewed as a final representation or exhaustive listing of all of the changes that may need to be made to the RCA.

Contractors are encouraged to make their RCA concerns known to their local legislators and ask that they support these bills when they come up for consideration in committee and on the floor of the House and Senate. Contact Tim Worke, 651-796-2185, with any questions or concerns. Copies of the legislation can be viewed at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?version=latest&session=ls89&session_number=0&session_year=2015&number=sf1121 and

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1257&ssn=0&y=2015.

Responsible Contractor Verification Form

Grant Money Available for Diesel Emission Upgrades

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) invites owners of 2006 and older heavy-duty diesel engines to apply for grants to upgrade or replace their engines in order to reduce diesel emissions. MPCA has $150,000 in federal grant funding for: installing pollution controls and idle reduction devices, or for replacing; engines, vehicles, or equipment.  Applications are due by 2:30 pm DST March 31. Visit www.pca.state.mn.us/cleandiesel for more information.

Spring STP Classes

Lead Renovator Initial and Refresher Courses

Do you have employees who need Lead Renovator certification for an upcoming project? Do you have the certification but need a refresher course to meet the five-year recertification requirement? A Lead Renovator refresher course will be offered the afternoon of March 16. An all-day Lead Renovator initial course will be offered March 17. Class size for each is limited to 25 and classes will be held at the AGC office in St. Paul. Registration details are available here.

Labor Relations Seminars

We will be presenting the following labor relations breakfast seminars. Registration for both is available at www.agcmn.org.

• March 17 - Labor Relations 101 for Construction Contractors: This session will discuss the National Labor Relations Act, the rights of a labor union and an employer under the Act, and what a human resources manager or supervisor needs to know when dealing with a union workforce.
• April 7 - 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.

Diversity, Good Faith Efforts and Anti-Harassment Seminar

Minnesota Rural Water Conference

Pipeline Safety Education Conference

The Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety will hold its annual education conference at Breezy Point Resort April 13 - 16. Details, including conference registration, lodging information for Breezy Point, and how to register as an exhibitor are available at https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ops.

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.