Answer: A busy week! The “first committee deadline” means a bill needs to move through policy committees in either the House or the Senate by the end of today. It’s a way for the legislature to focus their work; although, everything is still in the running until session adjourns at the end of May. Pushing bills through during deadline weeks at the Legislature leads to lengthy committee agendas and some extra hearings. Several AGC legislative priorities were discussed by the House and Senate this week.

An AGC-supported bill dedicating 100% of the sales tax paid on auto parts to transportation passed its third and final committee in the Senate. SF 3086, authored by Sen. Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) passed the Senate Finance Committee on a bipartisan vote and can now be considered by a full vote of the Senate. An identical bill, SF 3081 (Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson), was also discussed and is likely to be included in a larger transportation funding bill. Multiple pathways for the bill are beneficial from a legislative strategy standpoint with the end goal of passage by the end of session.

Earlier in the week, the Senate Jobs Committee heard a bill to clarify the wage theft prevention law passed in 2019. AGC submitted a letter of support to SF 919, authored by Sen. Eric Pratt, concerning the relevant provisions such as the allowance for electronic signatures and the notice requirement being satisfied through a collective bargaining agreement. The bill will likely be included in the larger Senate Jobs bill for negotiations later this session.

To round out the week, the House Transportation Committee heard a bill that would allow the Department of Transportation to develop a pilot program for speed camera enforcement in construction work zones. HF 2295 stemmed out of recommendations by the Work Zone Speed Management Task Force, which was informed by several AGC contractor members in addition to the Dept. of Public Safety (State Patrol) and MNDOT. Committee members also learned about the increased speeding in work zones and the difficulty law enforcement has in enforcing speed limits to physical constraints and safety issues unique to work zones. Reed Liedle of Safety Signs, LLC testified in support and AGC sent a letter to the committee encouraging their support and consideration of the pilot program. The committee did not vote on the bill, but will consider as part of their larger transportation funding bill.

Next week is another deadline week for bills to be heard in the other legislative body. E.g. If a policy bill made it through the necessary committees in the House, it needs to be heard in the appropriate committees in the Senate. There will be quite a bit of committee activity in the next week again. 

AGC staff continues to gather information about inflation, supply chains, and their impact to the industry. Staff also are in touch with the public owners and will update members. Highway contractors who perform work with MnDOT should be aware of the fuel escalation clause, which is a special provision to compensate contractors for the cost of motor fuels and includes only certain scopes of work. A copy is also available on our website here. 

All contractors should consider price escalation clauses in their contracts, such as ConsensusDocs 200.1. (AGC-MN’s Owner-Contractor form agreement includes an explicit option to incorporate ConsensusDocs 200.1.) Contact Mike or Laura for economic slides from AGC America’s chief economist, Ken Simonson, or if you have other questions.

Webinar: COVID-19’s Disproportionate Impact on Women and the Role of Occupational Segregation

You're invited to a webinar on March 29 to learn about how the Covid-19 pandemic disproportionately affected women workers. The Women’s Bureau report, Bearing the Cost: How Overrepresentation in Undervalued Jobs Disadvantaged Women During the Pandemic, discusses the factors that contributed to women experiencing more negative employment impacts.

Congratulations to Kraus-Anderson Construction and Bolander on the newest CHASE Level 3 project, the North Green Loop in Minneapolis!

The Construction Health And Safety Excellence (CHASE) partnership with MNOSHA recognizes superior safety programs within companies and on specific jobsites. See all the Level 3 projects here.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis needs your input on business conditions in the construction sector.

Please take this 5-minute survey to help the Federal Reserve and various construction trade groups better understand conditions at your firm, and across the construction industry.

We're so grateful for the investment of our annual partners in the Minnesota construction industry! Thank you to:

MnDOT started spring load restrictions in the Central seasonal load limit zone today, Friday, March 18.

Spring load restrictions will begin in the North Central and North zones next Monday, March 21.

Spring load restrictions are already in effect in the metro, south and southeast zones. Seasonal load limit zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map.

Students pursuing a secondary degree in a construction related field are encouraged to apply for an AGC of Minnesota Foundation scholarship!

Click here to apply, and direct all potential students to the AGC Foundation web page!

Registration is open for our final two STP classes before we take a pause for the summer! Sign up today!

To learn more about the economy of Northeast Minnesota, the Leadership Blueprint participants took part in a tour of the US Steel MinnTac operation near Mountain Iron, MN. The tour was conducted by two onsite geologists. It was an amazing experience, and the group stood on a platform near the pit. Thank you to Kirk Ilenda and Lakehead Constructors for arranging the tour!

Join us on Wednesday, April 13 as we hear from the 2021-2022 Leadership Blueprint cohort as they graduate from the program! Each participant will make a short presentation, and we'll cheer them on with some food and drink.

Questions about the program or the reception? Ask Merry Beckmann.

The AGC Board of Directors invites all members to join them for a networking reception at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater on April 6!

The Minnesota Construction Crew is having their 9th annual union trades hiring event (in person and virtual) on Thursday, May 19.

Vendor fee revenue goes to Construct Tomorrow.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Every Day Counts-6 Strategic Workforce Development team is hosting a webinar on March 29, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. CST, and you’re invited! Register here and join us as we feature guest speakers from multiple workforce organizations who will discuss the importance of identifying recruitment and retention needs to ensure transportation construction workers and trainees get the encouragement, support, and training they need to lead successful careers