ABC, TEXO and a coalition of stakeholders filed suit against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) final rule on Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, commonly referred to as the “electronic injury reporting and anti-retaliation final rule” on July 8. The suit immediately challenges the anti-retaliation provisions of the final rule that will limit post-accident drug testing and safety programs that contribute to construction jobsite safety.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Restoring Access to Medications Act (H.R. 1270 ) July 6, which would roll back a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires prescriptions for over-the-counter medications purchased under flexible spending arrangements and health savings accounts. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) and Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), passed the House 243-164  in a bi-partisan vote.

ABC hopes you enjoy the first edition of the redesigned Newsline eNewsletter! The new format is mobile-friendly and personalized, including an ABC chapter button that makes it easy for readers to visit their local chapter websites for events and news. Need to update your information or want to invite a colleague to subscribe?

ABC’s 2016 National Craft Championships gold medalists were honored before an audience of more than 40,000 at a July 1 baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Before the game, the champions and their families were given all-access passes to the field and were able to watch batting practice, followed by a picnic hosted by ABC in the fairgrounds just outside the stadium.

On June 15, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a final rule on Discrimination on the Basis of Sex.  The final rule applies to federal contractors (including subcontractors) and is effective on Aug. 15, 2016. 

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.