Austin Chapter AGC
Austin Chapter AGC Monthly News Update
December 2016
In This Issue
Upcoming Chapter Events
Legislative Session Agenda
Construction Salary Results
New Safety Director
TWC Task Force
CLC Activities
Resumes and Job Listings
Quick Links

Safety Services

Bidding Information

iSqFt

 Construction Leadership Council 

 
 
CompGroup AGC offers workers' compensation coverage exclusively for commercial construction contractors and sub-contractors. Through our partnership with Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state's leading writer of workers' compensation insurance, CompGroup AGC is able to offer competitive rates, responsive customer service, expert claim handling and extensive loss prevention training and safety programs.
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UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS
Outstanding Construction Awards Dinner - February 3

Safety training available on demand!  Contact Rob WIlliams to schedule. 
AGC TEXAS BUILDING BRANCH READY for STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION

 


The AGC Texas Building Branch (TBB) has laid out its agenda for the upcoming 85th Legislature convening Jan. 10, with its top three priorities being revising state lien laws, addressing construction defect claims, and recovering attorney's fees for state breach of contract claims.  The TBB serves as the collective voice of Texas commercial contractors in the state legislature and governmental bodies.
 
1.) Lien Law Revisions
 
A group of attorneys appointed in 2014 by various statewide construction associations have continued to meet and discuss this issue and draft a new lien law based on a preliminary notice system. The draft produced by the group last session was put on hold, however, the group has put together a new draft based a centralized, web-based clearinghouse modeled on Utah and North Carolina. The working group has continued to collaborate with other interested parties. 
 
2.) Right to Cure Construction Defects
 
This recurring legislative issue involves reducing the liability of contractors and design professionals arising from latent construction and design defect claims brought years after the completion of construction. Last year's legislative effort focused on reducing the statute of repose from 10 to six y ears, placing Texas in line with most other states, or reducing the actual liability by 10 percent each year following completion of the project. The focus this session will include legislation to address notice of possible defects, inspection time frame, and right to cure. 
 
3.) State Breach of Contract (Sovereign Immunity)
 
In 2013, the Legislature passed a law allowing state entities to be sued for breach of contract, which was a huge victory for the construction industry. Last session, legislative efforts focused on making the state statute consistent with the breach of contract statutes of counties and local governments. This year, AGC efforts will largely mirror last session via two major bills. The first will deal with recovery of attorney's fees without contractual provisions; non-road TxDOT projects; and oral directives versus written change orders. The second bill will deal with recovery of attorneys' fees in smaller cases (claims less than $250,000) that must go through the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), instead of state district court. 

The rest of the AGC TBB 2017 agenda includes:
 
4.) Uniform general conditions for local government entities and ISD's
 
5.) Prevailing wages
 
6.) Enforcement provisions for violating public procurement statutes
 
7.) School background checks
 
8.) Contract labor on public projects
 
9.) Economic Development Corporations (EDC's) procurement 
 
10.) Other key issues, including: career and technical education; construction trust fund retainage; Co-op purchasing; immigration 
 


TEXAS CONSTRUCTION SALARY SURVEY RESULTS PUBLISHED for 2016
   
Several AGC Chapters in Texas recently released the 2016 AGC Compensation and Benefits Survey to provide accurate information on salaries and company financial data/compensation practices in the Texas commercial construction industry. The 2016 survey covered the Austin, Houston, TEXO (Dallas and Fort Worth), West Texas, Central Texas and Southeast Texas chapters' contractor firms. The survey is conducted by a 3rd party firm,  Lane, Gorman, Trubitt, PLLC, and confidentiality is maintained in that neither company nor company code designations are provided other than a participant alphabetical listing.

This year, there are  53 survey participants - roughly 80% general contractors and 20% large specialty contractors  - covering  2,849 incumbents in  43 positions. Austin is represented by  3 companies, Central Texas by  3, Houston by  20, Southeast Texas by  2, TEXO by  22 and West Texas by  3. Overall, the industry reported a  4.97% increase in base salaries this year.

For a copy of the 2016 surveyor more information, contact Phil Thoden with the Austin AGC.  Cost to purchase is $600.  That amount is only $200 for companies that participate in the survey.    To get on the mailing list and receive a reminder notice next year, visit the survey website here.
AUSTIN AGC WELCOMES NEW SAFETY DIRECTOR
   
The Austin AGC is pleased to announce the hiring of Rob Williams as our new Director of Safety. He replaces Larry Connelly who is retiring this week after nearly 10 years at AGC helping construction firms and their workforce with safety training.
 
Rob served our country for 20 years in the Air Force and has an extensive background in safety management and training.  Most recently he worked for AGC member Patriot Erectors as an  Environmental Health and Safety and Training Manager.  He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and his experience and enthusiasm will be a big asset to our local construction community.   

Since coming on board in November, Rob has been transitioning into the new position alongside of Larry. Beginning in 2017, Rob will become our sole, full-time, safety director while Larry will remain available to help with the transition, classes and other safety services as needed. 

Rob can be contacted via e-mail at RobW@agcaustin.org, or by calling our office at 512.442.7887.  Please join me in welcoming Rob on board and also in wishing Larry well in retirement! 
AUSTIN AGC on TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION TASK FORCE
 
The Austin AGC is proud to represent the Texas commercial construction industry on a Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) task force to help dev elop and launch a statewide campaign to promote the image and work opportunities in Texas industries, including construction.  

Working in conjunction with TWC commissioners and staff, the task force represents a statewide effort among a wide range of industry groups to coordinate promotion of career opportunities for Texas students - middle school to high school - in various Texas industries including oil/gas, construction, tech and others.  Look for a media/marketing campaign in 2017 targeting students, parents and school counselors through various channels (from social media to billboards) to promote Texas industries and career paths therein.

This state effort dovetails nicely with many of our local AGC Chapter efforts in this regard, including the Austin ISD Career and Technical Education program as well as UpSkill Houston. 
CLC LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
  

The Construction Leadership Council of Austin (CLC) capped off a busy year by presenting a $1,000 scholarship check to Texas State student Brian Giang who has been very involved this year with the AGC student chapter there as well as with both the CLC and Austin AGC Chapter activities.  Congratulations Brian!


Also, the CLC collected roughly 60 toys and raised an additional $130 cash for the Austin Police Operation Blue Santa at the CLC Winter Event and Toy Drive!  The CLC is THE place for Austin's younger construction professionals to network while support our local industry and community. Stay in touch with CLC 2017 activities via their website and social media.
   
CONSTRUCTION RESUMES and JOB LISTINGS 
AGC Chapters around Texas have formed a partner website called  texasconstructioncareers.com   to  help you find employment or an employee.  Check out the job bank page to post yo ur resume or review potential hires.