Legal/Regulation

  • A 3D-printed home module is being slowly let down by an industrial machine that has straps around the building. It's a sunny day in a residential area.
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    Courtesy of Mighty Buildings
    Q&A

    Why 3D printing is still flat in commercial construction

    Building codes — not capabilities or design — are holding the technology back, according to an engineering firm executive.

    By Chris Wood • Feb. 1, 2023
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images

    Florida contractor files for Chapter 11

    Supply chain disruptions, inflation and labor shortages are causing major headaches for firms with fixed-price contracts, leading some into bankruptcy, attorneys say.

    By • Feb. 1, 2023
  • A workplace poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
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    Kate Tornone/Construction Dive
    Racism in Construction

    Terminated worker sues Brasfield & Gorrie for discrimination

    A suit in federal court alleges supervisors for the Birmingham, Alabama, firm harassed the employee for his Mexican heritage and wearing earrings at work.

    By • Feb. 1, 2023
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    Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive
    Column

    The Dotted Line: What’s up with WOTUS?

    A new EPA rule could result in additional costs of $1 million per acre for projects adjacent to certain waterways.

    By • Jan. 31, 2023
  • New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a podium.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images

    NY’s Carlos’ Law hikes penalties for jobsite safety crimes

    The $500,000 minimum fine for a felony targets contractors that have a “poor safety culture,” one attorney said.

    By • Jan. 27, 2023
  • Two workers in hardhats look at blueprints in an office.
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    mihailomilovanovic via Getty Images

    GCs are often excluded from wage theft liability. That may change.

    The federal government is considering more labor-friendly rules, as worker groups push for joint employer wage theft laws.

    By • Jan. 26, 2023
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    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
    Opinion

    Construction is among the industries most at risk for ACA penalties

    Some contractors have received notices of fines in the millions of dollars for failing to meet Affordable Care Act requirements.

    By Joanna Kim-Brunetti • Jan. 24, 2023
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    recep-bg via Getty Images

    Texas county adopts policy to curb construction death rate

    The rule will prevent companies with poor records from winning public jobs and will require employers to pay for managers’ OSHA training.

    By • Jan. 18, 2023
  • Two construction workers stand as one operates a drone. The drone is in the foreground of the picture, with the two workers who wear hardhats and safety vests.
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    Natnan Srisuwan via Getty Images
    2023 OUTLOOK

    Contech trends to watch in the new year

    As builders adapt to economic, supply chain and labor challenges, they're turning to technology to boost performance.

    By • Jan. 11, 2023
  • Aerial view with Lower Manhattan skyline at sunset viewed from above Hudson River.
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    Ultima_Gaina via Getty Images

    New York adopts new labor law to ‘protect integrity of public work’

    Several contractor groups questioned the need for the legislation.

    By • Jan. 5, 2023
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    Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive

    The Dotted Line: 2022’s top legal issues explained

    Construction Dive’s award-winning column examined the major legal topics of the year.

    By • Dec. 20, 2022
  • Aerial view of construction on a double-lane highway stretching over other roads and a river.
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    Courtesy of Washington DOT
    Opinion

    As initial waivers end, builders will feel the impact of Buy America law

    The regulations will impact all federally funded infrastructure projects in the United States, not just those that receive IIJA money.

    By Josh Mahan • Dec. 7, 2022
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images

    Third conspirator pleads guilty in Caltrans bid-rigging scheme

    A California contractor bribed a state DOT official and colluded with others to steer contracts to multiple companies, the Department of Justice said.

    By • Dec. 1, 2022
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    Zolnierek via Getty Images
    Racism in Construction

    NY lawsuit alleges Black workers assigned to ‘the dungeon,’ denied PPE

    Supervisors for a New York developer subjected Black employees to racial slurs, shorted their pay and refused them safety gear, according to the complaint.

    By • Nov. 29, 2022
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    Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive
    Column

    The Dotted Line: Construction’s top 3 disputes, and how to avoid them

    Plan for the unexpected, document everything and lean on third-party experts to keep issues out of court, attorneys say.

    By • Nov. 29, 2022
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    Courtesy of Gordie Howe International Bridge

    Fluor to pay $33M settlement in securities fraud lawsuit

    A federal judge in Texas granted the motion for final approval for the settlement between the contractor and investors.

    By • Nov. 14, 2022
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    Permission granted by The Obama Foundation

    Work resumes on $830M Obama Presidential Center project

    Construction was halted for three days following the discovery of a noose on the Chicago jobsite.

    By • Updated Nov. 16, 2022
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    Ron Wurzer / Stringer via Getty Images
    Racism in Construction

    Judge dismisses construction worker’s discrimination charges against Microsoft

    A federal judge ruled the software company was not the employer of a construction worker who performed tasks for a Skanska-Balfour Beatty JV.

    By • Nov. 9, 2022
  • A view from above of the yellow gantry building the new bridge.
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    Courtesy of Harbor Bridge Project

    $1B Texas Harbor Bridge work resumes, completion delayed to 2025

    Texas DOT had forced Flatiron/Dragados to stop work over safety concerns.

    By • Nov. 3, 2022
  • Team of one women architect and two men architects on a construction site. They are looking at blueprint. They are discussing about their project. Shot from above.
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    vitranc via Getty Images

    Top 10 causes of construction claims

    Firms need to turn to technology to help avoid issues like scope changes and incomplete design, according to a new report.

    By • Nov. 2, 2022
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images

    NYC law targets construction sites as part of new rat abatement program

    The New York City Council passed the Rat Action Plan Thursday to help address the Big Apple’s notorious rodent problems.

    By • Oct. 28, 2022
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
    Q&A

    Associate commissioner of NYC DDC wants more design-build

    The city is largely restricted by state law to use the lowest bidder system, but Alison Landry hopes to modernize the procurement process in her new role with the Department of Design and Construction.

    By • Oct. 25, 2022
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    Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive
    Column // Construction Inclusion Week

    The Dotted Line: How to include anti-bias clauses in construction contracts

    To wrap up Construction Inclusion Week, lawyers discuss anti-harassment language in subcontracts to codify a unified approach against hate on jobsites.

    By • Oct. 25, 2022
  • A field of solar panels off of the roadside in Florida.
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    Glen Richard via Getty Images

    Clean energy companies warn building standard change threatens wind, solar projects

    “The stated goal of FEMA’s proposal is increased grid reliability, but when you needlessly make it harder to build resilient clean energy, the obvious effect is a reduction in reliability,” the Solar Energy Industries Association CEO said.

    By Ethan Howland • Oct. 20, 2022
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
    Construction Inclusion Week

    Transportation leaders aim to boost equity in federal infrastructure efforts

    Six state DOTs have pledged to create more prime contracting opportunities for historically disadvantaged businesses in IIJA work.

    By • Oct. 18, 2022