Missouri House Bill 34, which became law on July 15, changes the way prevailing wage rates are determined in the state by taking into consideration both union and nonunion wages and allowing the rates to be calculated by county.

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) has issued surveys requesting information on the potential use of a project labor agreement (PLA) on two projects to repair facades at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., one for repairs at Rickover Hall and on for repairs at Nimitz Library.

OSHA has begun its annual national outreach initiative to educate workers and employers about the hazards of heat illness. The campaign includes educational materials on heat illness in English and Spanish, resources for conducting training in the workplace and an app for mobile devices.

LEED v4 has been approved by a vote of U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) members and will be launched during the Greenbuild conference in November 2013. 

OSHA has officially withdrawn a proposed rule that would have changed how the agency operated its On-site Consultation Program for worksites, including those that have Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program status. The agency withdrew the rule after reviewing comments, including those submitted by ABC and the Coalition for Workplace Safety. 

The Department of Labor (DOL) on July 3 released its spring regulatory agenda outlining the regulatory activities of its sub-agencies for the remainder of 2013. The regulatory agenda lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemaking they expect to release this year; however, DOL is not required to adhere to the timeline.

ABC July 2 submitted comments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) expressing disappointment in a proposed rule that would implement provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) related to the minimum value of eligible employer-sponsored plans and the health insurance premium tax credit. 

NAVFAC is seeking comments on the potential use of PLAs for two projects: an aircraft maintenance hangar upgrade at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and the submarine production support facility in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The USACE also issued a survey for the potential use of a PLA for dredging and deepening the main channel of the Delaware River in Philadelphia, Penn. 

ABC June 24 signed a strategic partnership with Maxwell Systems that will support ABC’s goal of helping members win work and deliver it safely, ethically and profitably. Maxwell Systems delivers an all-in-one construction software solution and is a leading provider of expert services and best practices that empower contractors to eliminate waste and run a more efficient and profitable business. 

The ABC Elevator Contractors Council (ECC), formerly known as the Merit Elevator Contractors Association of America (MECAA), is a group of ABC members dedicated to advancing and growing the merit shop elevator sector of the construction industry. From 2012-2013, ABC ECC worked with several chapters to track important legislation and regulations in 20 states related to key merit shop elevator issues.