For more than three years, ABC has advocated for the repeal of the complex and costly employer mandate included in the Affordable Care Act. On July 2, the Obama Administration finally acknowledged employers’ concerns about implementing the burdensome requirements in a timely and effective manner. 

(R-Utah) June 27 proposed a “blank slate” approach for tax reform and called on their fellow Senators to provide proposals for tax expenditures that should be added back to the tax code and improved.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced June 17 that it has released a new ladder safety smartphone app, which uses visual and audio signals to make it easier for workers using extension ladders to check the angle of the ladder and offers useful tips for using extension ladders safely. The app is available for free download on iPhone and Android devices. 

The U.S. Senate voted 68-32 to pass the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744) on June 27 with language that places a limit on the number of guest worker visas available to the construction industry.

OSHA June 13 issued a direct final rule to update the construction signage standards by adding references to the latest versions of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) consensus standards on specifications for accident prevention signs and tags. The rule retains the existing references to the earlier ANSI standards, which allows employers the option to either comply with the updated or earlier standards.

OSHA announced on June 25 that it will be conducting a new National Emphasis Program on occupational exposure to isocyanates, which are used in materials including paints, varnishes, auto body repair, and building insulation. 

During a public-private partnership conference June 27 in Linthicum, Md., experts on P3s gathered to discuss their advantages, how they can provide savings over the long-term and Maryland’s new P3 law (H.B. 560) that went into effect July 1. 

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee passed the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 1772) on June 26 in a vote of 22-9. The bill would establish a new mandatory employment verification system by modifying the current E-verify system. ABC sent a letter of support to the committee chairman before the vote.

ABC members can now take advantage of savings on most GM 2014 and 2013 model year vehicles under the ABC Business Partner Program. In 2012, ABC members saved approximately $5 million through the program.

The National Institute of Building Sciences buildingSMART alliance is hosting a series of webinars in July on how to submit a ballot for the National BIM Standard – United States™ Version 3 review period that all building professionals are invited to participate in. Ballot submissions are due Aug. 19.