OSHA Issues Final Rule on Crane Operator Qualification

On Nov. 9, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published a final rule that updates its standard for cranes and derricks in construction to ensure crane operators are qualified to safely operate equipment. The final rule requires employers to train operators as needed to perform assigned crane activities, evaluate them and document successful completion of the evaluations.  Read the rest of entry »

ABC Sends Letter to Senate Supporting Prison Reform Legislation

ABC sent a letter to the U.S. Senate in support of the FIRST STEP Act, which was introduced by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). This bipartisan bill addresses the important issue of prison reform with the goal of lowering recidivism rates by helping incarcerated individuals prepare to reenter their communities. Read the rest of entry »

IRS Issues Additional Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Guidance

Over the last month, the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service have issued several proposed rules that provide guidance and implement changes to the tax code under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Signed into law nearly a year ago, the historic tax reform bill included several key provisions that affect the construction industry, and the recently issued proposals provide critical information for construction employers on how to comply with the law. Read the rest of entry »

New Video: Do You Know About the Construction Legal Rights Foundation?

The Construction Legal Rights Foundation supports efforts to preserve, protect and defend the free enterprise system in the construction industry. Watch ABC’s new video to find out how the foundation offers financial support through legal and issue advocacy campaigns.  Read the rest of entry »

How Will the 2018 Election Results Affect ABC Members?

While some races have yet to be decided, the American electorate voted for Democrats to take the House majority while increasing the Senate majority held by Republicans. The number of seats controlled by Democrats in the House of Representatives is projected to be around 230 seats, with Republicans holding around 206 seats, giving Democrats a majority of approximately 24 seats. Read the rest of entry »

ABC Immediate Past Chairman Chuck Goodrich Wins Indiana State House Race

Last night, Chuck Goodrich, president and CEO of Gaylor Electric Inc. and the immediate past chair of ABC, was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives for District 29, beating Democrat Tracy Roberts for the House of Representatives seat representing Noblesville 65 percent to 35 percent. Read the rest of entry »

ABC Supports EPA’s Affordable Clean Energy Proposal

On Oct. 31, ABC submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of the Affordable Clean Energy proposed rule, officially titled Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guideline Implementing Regulations; Revisions to New Source Review Program. If finalized, the ACE rule would replace the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan with revised emissions guidelines, propose new regulations to direct both EPA and the states on the implementation of emission guidelines and revise the New Source Review program.  Read the rest of entry »

OSHA Issues Guidance on Crane Operator Qualification Compliance

On Nov. 5, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued guidance on how to comply with crane operator certification requirements until OSHA’s new final rule on operator certification and qualification becomes effective. OSHA also made available a pre-publication version of the final rule on its website. Read the rest of entry »

ABC Government Affairs Visits Arizona in Advance of Election Day

Last week, ABC government affairs staff traveled to the Grand Canyon state to visit members of the Arizona Builders Alliance. They visited 140 ABA member companies in the Tucson and Phoenix areas, delivering important “get-out-the-vote” information and industry-specific election materials, including the ABC Votes and We Build America websites.  Read the rest of entry »

Trump Administration Releases 2018 Fall Regulatory Agenda

On Oct. 17, the Trump Administration released its Fall 2018 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The agenda lists upcoming rulemakings and other regulatory actions from each agency that the administration expects to publish through the end of the year and in 2019. Read the rest of entry »