August 2013 Newsletter - ABC

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS: 2013 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
JOHN WALTERS, LA ABC VICE PRESIDENT OF GOV. RELATIONS
As the 2013 Louisiana
Legislature recently
cleared its calendar of
991 bills, the main legislative
focus was on the
state budget and various
tax reform initiatives.
Hidden between these measures
were a large number of bills that
could and will impact Louisiana’s
construction industry.
Associated Builders and Contractors
played an extremely active role on
many bills ranging from circumventions
of the Louisiana Public Bid Law
and geographical preferences for
contractors to licensure of individual
craftspeople and attempts to substantially
alter Louisiana’s Workers
Compensation Laws. ABC tracked,
monitored and/or actively lobbied
70 bills during the session.
We spend a great deal of time, effort,
and resources during the interim
strengthening our legislative
relationships and informing legislators
about Associated Builders and
Contractors’ positions on particular
issues. This proved to be very beneficial
during the 2013 session. Most
Legislators know where ABC stands
on issues long before being actively
lobbied on specific bills.
ABC Member involvement has been
very impressive. We can only accomplish
so much at the Capitol without
the advisement, testimony, and influence
of members. We’ve had a
good record of accomplishments,
and developed several new legislative
relationships throughout the
session.
Many members engaged themselves
when called upon, and much credit
should be given to those of you who
responded when we needed your
involvement and advisement during
the session.
Bills of Specific Interest
House Bill 421 by Representative
Ponti adds a $100.00 renewal fee to
Louisiana contractor’s licenses to be
dedicated to public university and
community college schools of construction
management and/or construction
technology, with an “opt
out” provision for those contractors
choosing not to participate.
House Bill 559 by Representative
Brossett ends the open use of Design-Build
construction for the repair
or construction of public facilities in
parishes impacted by Hurricanes Katrina,
Hurricane Rita, or both by specifically
listing projects (6) in which
Design-Build will be allowed.
Senate Bill 204 by Senator Adley will
fund the construction and repair of
Louisiana Community and Technical
College System (LCTCS) facilities in
an attempt to strengthen the economic
growth of Louisiana by aligning
the workforce with the needs of
employers.
Senate Bill 65 by Senator Murray
authorizes the New Orleans Aviation
Board to utilize Construction Manager
at-Risk construction methodology
for the construction of the new terminal
at the Louis Armstrong New
Orleans International Airport.
For a more in-depth look at these
bill as well as others, please refer to
the ABC Louisiana 2013 Louisiana
Legislative Session Final Report. If
you did not receive a copy or need
another copy, please don’t hesitate
to get in touch with me via e-mail
at jwalters@abcpelican.com or telephone
at (225) 752-1415.
Employer Mandate Tax
Penalties and Mandatory
Information Reporting
Requirements Under
Health Care Law Delayed
Until 2015
For more than three years, ABC has
advocated for the repeal of the complex
and costly employer mandate
included in the Affordable Care Act
(ACA). On July 2, the Obama Administration
finally acknowledged employers’
concerns about implementing
the burdensome requirements
in a timely and effective manner. In
a small step forward, the Treasury
Department issued a blog post that
announced the following:
6 | Merit Shop Message | August 2013