The new year has brought quite a bit of movement among the states, enacting new legislation that effects construction contractors. Here are a few, . . .
Arizona: SB1090 prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from requiring a contractor to participate in project labor agreements, a labor neutrality agreement or an apprenticeship program that is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Arkansas: SB613 establishes the State Unpaved Roads Program Act, including the authority for public-private partnerships. The new law does not address subcontractor payment assurances.
Georgia: HB255 requires that green building standards on state construction include only standards that give certification credits to Georgia forest products grown, manufactured and certified by various certifying organizations.
Maryland: HB844 increases the maximum bond amount available for a bond guarantee issued by the Small Business Surety Bond Program of the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority from $1 million to $2.5 million.
Nevada: AB165 gives businesses credit toward their modified business tax bill if they donate to a qualifying scholarship organization. Scholarships would go to students whose household income doesn’t exceed 300 percent of the poverty level.
North Dakota: SB2233 requires a legislative management study of public improvement issues relating to use of multiple bids versus single prime bids, bidding thresholds, design services thresholds, and indemnification.
North Dakota: SB2188 provides penalties for operating without a contractor’s license and committing construction fraud.
Utah: SB296 bars housing or employment discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents.
Virginia: HB2267 establishes the Virginia Solar Energy Development Authority. The new law authorizes this new agency to use P3s (Public Privatee Partnerships) under the existing law for P3s for public facilities and infrastructure to install solar energy generation systems at public and private facilities.
West Virginia: SB411, the Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Transparency Act and the Asbestos and Silica Claims Priorities Act, relates to liability for exposures to asbestos or silica. The new law requires disclosure of existing and potential asbestos bankruptcy trust claims; establishes legal standards and procedures for handling asbestos and silica claims; provides for sanctions, set offs and credits and medical criteria procedures for claims; and provides for a statute of limitations on liability.
BIG thanks to the American Subcontractors Association for the compendium and for staying on top of this!
National surety leader, Surety One, Inc.focuses on supporting the performance bonding needs of the commercial, highway, heavy industrial and construction contracting industries. We offer performance bonds to construction and commercial service contractor applicants small and large. Visit SuretyOne.com, call (800) 373-2804, or email Underwriting@SuretyOne.com for a performance bond application package or information about any surety bonding need. Recuérde que le asesoramos en SU idioma, así que comuníquese con nosotros, SU compañía afianzadora preferida para la fianza.
