Legal/Regulation
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House Democrats introduce $494B transportation bill
Construction industry officials say comprehensive legislation could generate construction jobs and help with the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.
By Kim Slowey • June 04, 2020 -
What new PPP loan guidance means for contractors
The clarifications are intended to make the Paycheck Protection Program more flexible for construction and other businesses while Congress works to expand some of the program's parameters.
By Kim Slowey • June 02, 2020 -
Residents near Amazon's $1.5B Kentucky air hub project sue Whiting-Turner Kokosing JV
Homeowners within a mile of the jobsite at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport said the blasting and other earthwork activity has caused damage to their houses.
By Kim Slowey • June 02, 2020 -
Q&A
Who pays for extra time, work to keep construction workers safe?
There's no simple answers to this and other COVID-19 jobsite questions, says one construction attorney.
By Jenn Goodman • May 29, 2020 -
OSHA issues new COVID-19 guidance
The agency's latest workplace enforcement guidance for contractors details how to determine if a coronavirus case is work related.
By Kim Slowey • May 29, 2020 -
Fotolia
ABC of Michigan files suit against governor over 'unconstitutional' safety orders
The plaintiffs in the case allege that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer exceeded her authority and went around the state legislative process when she issued the executive orders.
By Kim Slowey • May 28, 2020 -
Jenn Goodman/Construction Dive
Deep DiveWhat does Maryland's Purple Line project team breakup mean for P3s?
Although one of the country's most-watched public-private partnerships has stalled, the delivery method has advantages for many large civil projects, experts say.
By Kim Slowey • May 27, 2020 -
Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive
The Dotted Line: How will clients approach contracts post-pandemic?
Owners will likely demand more flexibility in future construction contracts so they can easily suspend or stop projects, as well as mitigate their risk.
By Kim Slowey • May 26, 2020 -
PhotoMIX Ltd. via Pexels
Mechanics liens up 40% as COVID-19 pandemic disrupts industry
The increase in liens filed from January through March indicates that contractors and suppliers took action to protect their payments as projects began to shut down in response to the novel coronavirus.
By Kim Slowey • May 21, 2020 -
Permission granted by Austin AGC
Deep DiveHow construction firms can prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19
Although work is restarting in most jurisdictions, contractors can't let their guard down regarding coronavirus precautions for the future.
By Kim Slowey • May 18, 2020 -
HVAC worker sues for overtime, PPE
The fired Florida worker alleges that his previous employer did not provide PPE to protect him from COVID-19 and that he was misclassified as a salaried employee.
By Lisa Burden • May 18, 2020 -
What contractors need to know about the Paycheck Protection Program
Attorneys say the big takeaway for construction firms that use PPP loans is to document everything — from the decisions that led to their applications to how they used the proceeds.
By Kim Slowey • May 13, 2020 -
Permission granted by Griffith Company
Q&ABay Area construction opens to new set of rules and guidance
Companies must work with owners to re-imagine "essential" onsite personnel, create work shifts and structure the layout of the way work is performed, says AGC of California CEO Peter Tateishi.
By Jenn Goodman • May 07, 2020 -
Nurses contracted by Tampa, Florida, officials drop in on jobsites in fight against coronavirus
Developers are behind the new initiative and are paying for the visits to the city's bigger construction projects amid pressure to prep for Super Bowl 2021.
By Kim Slowey • May 06, 2020 -
Adeline Kon/Construction Dive
Deep DiveThe new normal: 8 ways the coronavirus crisis is changing construction
U.S. jobsites are reopening but construction will not look the same as before the COVID-19 outbreak. Are you ready for the paradigm shift?
By Jenn Goodman • April 30, 2020 -
Construction code purveyor calls Supreme Court's ruling that annotated code can't be copyrighted 'monumental'
The court's decision could have an impact on other similar cases, like the International Code Council's lawsuit against online code provider Upcodes, which heralded the decision.
By Kim Slowey • April 29, 2020 -
Massachusetts union members advised to return to work following strikes
Effective April 21, the work stoppage directive issued by the state's largest industry union earlier this month is no longer in effect for essential projects with acceptable COVID-19 safety protocols.
By Kim Slowey • April 24, 2020 -
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). "Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Microscope image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/49535193876/in/album-72157713108522106/.
Q&AApril Mailbag: Construction attorney answers readers' coronavirus legal questions
Among other questions, U.S. contractors want to know when their projects are "essential" and what to do if a worker is exposed to COVID-19.
By Jenn Goodman • April 21, 2020 -
(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)
Feds on track to begin equal employment opportunity audits
New letters for construction firms working on public contracts might mean agencies will begin cracking down on EEO measures, and contractors shouldn't rely on the coronavirus pandemic to give them a break, an expert said.
By Kim Slowey • April 20, 2020 -
CDC/Alissa Eckert, MS. "covid-19 coronavirus on black background". Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/images.htm.
OpinionPaying employees during a coronavirus-related project suspension: What do federal laws say?
As the number of contractors faced with a project suspension continues to mount, one increasingly common question arises: "Am I obligated to pay my employees for time off during a COVID-19-related suspension?”
By Roscoe Green and Benjamin Briggs • April 17, 2020 -
Fotolia
Construction boss in Oregon charged with $65M tax evasion
Victor Hugo Lopez-Diaz's employment tax fraud, involving other contractors as well, could be one of the state's largest ever prosecuted, officials said.
By Kim Slowey • April 16, 2020 -
Colorado AG's 2nd settlement over alleged $1.3M convention center bid-rigging adds $250K Trammell Crow fine
The first settlement last month fined Mortenson and ruled it must help build a $650,000 medical center and the second adds the program manager to the hook for alleged malpractice on the $233 million Colorado Convention Center bidding.
By Kim Slowey • UPDATED: May 1, 2020 at 10:17 a.m. -
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. (2020). "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/49655318098/in/album-72157713108522106/.
OSHA issues guidance for recording COVID-19 cases
Contractors only have to record a COVID-19 case when there is "reasonably available" evidence that it may be work related.
By Kim Slowey • April 15, 2020 -
Biggest OSHA fines of Q1 2020
Falls took center stage again this quarter, but some high-profile projects like the Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans also made the list.
By Kim Slowey • April 14, 2020 -
New York expands prevailing wage laws to private construction projects
Many projects worth $5 million or more and that receive 30% of construction costs from public agencies must now comply with state prevailing wage laws, which differ by county.
By Kim Slowey • April 13, 2020
