The Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Treasury confirmed ABC’s interpretation of the IFR and addressed this issue in a release of FAQs for lenders and borrowers. Importantly, this document clarifies that businesses do not have to qualify as both a small business concern and have 500 or fewer employees. ABC continues to urge eligible members in need to apply for PPP loans.

On March 16, as a result of COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship, released Bulletin 2020-51 to provide flexibility regarding the requirements for approval for related instruction and reiterate that related instruction may be delivered electronically.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued a temporary exemption from certain federal contracting requirements for a period of three months, from March 17, 2020 to June 17, 2020.

On April 1, the National Labor Relations Board published its final rule on Representation – Case Procedures: Election Bars; Proof of Majority Support in Construction-Industry Collective-Bargaining Relationships, which makes three amendments to its rules and regulations governing the filing and processing of petitions for an NLRB-conducted representation election and proof of majority support in construction-industry collective-bargaining relationships. The final rule will go int

During these unprecedented times, many businesses are assisting ABC members and chapters by providing them online tools for their services.

The U.S. Department of Labor continues to issue compliance assistance materials on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which went into effect on April 1. On March 18, the Senate passed and the president signed into law H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which requires private-sector employers with fewer than 500 employees, and certain public employers, to provide covered employees emergency paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave.

In response to the president’s national emergency declaration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced a three-month waiver to prevent the possible shortage of commercial motor vehicle drivers and continue to allow intrastate and interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learners permit (CLP) holders to transport critical goods and supplies to businesses and individuals affected by COVID-19.

The ABC Virginia Chapter has started implementing a competency-based component for their registered apprenticeship program.

Tim Keating, owner and president, R. C. Stevens Construction Co., took the reins as the 2020 ABC national chair at ABC’s March Board of Directors meeting. “With decades of combined industry leadership and experience, Tim Keating is committed to ABC’s value proposition to help our membership develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC president and chief executive officer. Check out ABC’s new video to learn more about Tim and his goals for ABC in 2020.

Following the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) and President Trump signing it into law, ABC has gathered some additional information on the bill’s small business and tax provisions.