On June 28, 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule on the operation and certification of non-hobbyist small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The final rule covers commercial uses for UAS that weigh less than 55 pounds and is effective August 29, 2016. 

Parts of West Virginia are facing a prolonged cleanup effort after widespread flooding killed 23 people, left an estimated 230,000 people homeless or temporarily displaced and prompted Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to declare a federal disaster. To support the victims of this natural disaster, ABC’s West Virginia Chapter (ABCWV) has established a flood relief program and is arranging for donations of labor, supplies and equipment to help the affected communities. 

On June 27, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a nationwide injunction that will block the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) from implementing the persuader rule, officially titled the Interpretation of the ‘Advice’ Exemption in Section 203(c) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), which was scheduled to go into effect on July 1.  

During ABC’s Legislative Week 2016, an ad entitled ABC Members Build America appeared in Politico,  the “must read” daily with 30,000 subscribers whose readers include members of Congress, White House and legislative staffers, lobbyists, and everyone and anyone who follows what’s happening on Capitol Hill. The ad, as well as the charts featured within the ad, have been made available as marketing resources for ABC Members.

One of the most valuable ABC member benefits is an automatic subscription to the award-winning industry publication, Construction Executive (CE). This top-notch print and digital magazine provides education on all areas of the business of construction, including accounting and finance, business development, legal compliance, sustainability, technology and workforce development.

Hundreds of top-caliber Asian American suppliers connected with serious buyers, industry leaders and visionaries at CelebrAsian Procurement Conference – the country’s largest business-to-business event convened by Pan Asian Americans to connect with large, medium and small enterprises – was held June 1-3, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta.

About 80 industry executives, suppliers and stakeholders joined ABC members for the second annual Diversity & Inclusion Summit in Washington, D.C., on June 22.The half-day program included sessions on creating value for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), the benefits of developing joint ventures with MBE partners and the cultural advantages of promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry and in the community.

During ABC's 2016 Legislative Week, ABC members have had the chance to educate Congress about the issues that affect their businesses and spread the word about the contributions ABC members make to the construction industry. So far, participants have enjoyed the Diversity & Inclusion Summit, the Free Enterprise Alliance Reception and the Young Professionals Symposium. ABC members have meetings with members of Congress on Capitol Hill scheduled for the rest of Legislative Week. 

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that the new annual hiring benchmark under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) is 6.9 percent, down slightly from 7 percent in 2015. The act requires federal contractors to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote and retain veterans.

ABC has added Iowa Chapter member Mike O’Day of Hometown Plumbing & Heating to the Beam Club Presidential level. The Beam Club was established in 1966 to recognize ABC’s top membership recruiters for their commitment to growing the association. By recruiting five new members, ABC members are automatically enrolled in the Beam Club by their chapter. Members receive one point for each new member recruited. Beam Club activity is ongoing from year to year, with members’ point totals continually accruing and advancing members to the next Beam Club award level.