On Dec. 4, President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (H.R. 22) into law, which included ABC-supported provisions that streamline the process for developers trying to obtain environmental permits and approvals for their projects. 

Now, employees of ABC members can receive up to 20 percent off the “best available rate” at the Wyndham Hotel Group website for their participating brands. Wyndham has 14 distinct brands at over 7,600 hotel locations, including Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Baymont and other affordable brands. 

The Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule revising the equal employment opportunity regulatory framework for the National Apprenticeship Act on Nov. 6. Current regulations prohibit discrimination in registered apprenticeship programs on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, and sex. The proposed rule updates the equal opportunity standards to include age (40 or older), genetic information, sexual orientation and disability among the protected base that cannot be discriminated against. It requires sponsors to take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in the registered apprenticeship programs.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released its latest regulatory agenda on Nov. 20. The agenda lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemakings they expect to release in 2016, their final year. An update on rulemakings affecting the construction industry is below.

The National Craft Championships (NCC) is seeing an overwhelming demand for the 2016 competition and intents-to-compete currently number more than 200. With the intent deadline immediately following the busy Thanksgiving holiday, the NCC Committee wants to ensure all chapters and contractors have the opportunity to participate and is extending the deadline to Dec. 15. Some competitions may already have reached their maximum, so contact Lisa Nardone for wait-list information. 

On Nov. 17, the ABC National Tax Advisory Group (TAG) gathered in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the tax priorities of merit shop contractors and the broader construction industry. TAG members from the Eastern Pennsylvania, Florida East Coast, Central Florida, and Georgia chapters were in attendance as the group met with senior staff representing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the Senate Finance Committee, and key members of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter and Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.) have partnered on an effort to bring nine Little Free Libraries to Pinellas County in Florida. Little Free Libraries are “take a book, leave a book” libraries designed to encourage kids to read by making books easily accessible at no cost.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its latest regulatory agenda on Nov. 20. The agenda lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemakings they expect to release in 2016, their final year. An update on rulemakings affecting the construction industry is below.

Registration is now open for all 2016 sessions of ABC's Project Management Institute, held at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

Do your apprentices and craft trainees have what it takes to win the national title of ABC Craft Champion? The 2016 National Craft Championships (NCC) intent-to-compete deadline is around the corner; get your forms in before Dec. 1 to participate in the 2016 NCC in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., March 1-4.