As part of the Trump administration’s effort to promote and execute a regulatory reform agenda (executive order 13777), ABC member federal contractors who perform work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are encouraged to submit comments to the Corps and Department of Defense in response to their request for “input on its existing regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement or modification.”

On Sept. 27, ABC submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their proposal to rescind their 2015 final Clean Water Rule: Definition of "Waters of the United States," also known as the WOTUS final rule, and re-codify the regulations that existed prior to the 2015 rule. ABC also filed comments as a member of the Waters Advocacy Coalition. 

ABC’s General Counsel, Littler Mendelson P.C. produced a podcast that details anticipated changes to immigration policy under the Trump administration and discusses employer compliance. The podcast specifically addresses I-9 and visa requirements, potential for an increase in ICE audits and worksite visits, and more.

CarolinaPower of Greer, S.C., a member of ABC’s Carolinas Chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations.

On Sept. 26, U.S. Senate leadership announced there will not be a vote on the latest version of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal bill. Named after its four sponsors, the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson bill aimed to repeal parts of the ACA and change its federal funding system with annual block grants to states to help individuals pay for health care.

ABC is encouraging all members that have not done so already to take action and submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their proposal to rescind their 2015 final Clean Water Rule: Definition of "Waters of the United States," also known as the WOTUS final rule, and re-codify the regulations that existed prior to the 2015 rule.

On Sept. 25, ABC submitted comments to the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division on its Request for Information on the 2016 overtime final rule, officially named the Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees. ABC also filed comments with a coalition of business groups and other stakeholders as a member of the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity.

On Sept. 15, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor published a notice in the Federal Register that the minimum wage for federal contractors will increase to $10.35 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

Enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) silica standard as it applies to the construction industry will begin on Sept. 23. On Sept. 20, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas Galassi issued a memorandum on enforcement policy for the construction industry. 

Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018, which provides $1.1 trillion in discretionary funding for the federal government through 12 individual appropriations bills.