Login
Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
Instagram
Home
About Us
Merit Shop Philosophy
Board of Directors
Regional Councils/Committees
Chapter Staff
Contact Us
Privacy Statement
Membership
Current Member
Member Discounts
ABC Marketplace
Leadership ABC
ABC National Young Professionals
Member Login
Member Milestones
Membership Directory
Become a Member
Events
Excellence in Construction Awards
National Excellence in Construction Awards Gala
Sponsorships
Safety
Chapter Safety Awards
AQC
SPECS
STEP
Safety Training
Workforce
Apprenticeship & Craft Training
Frequently Asked Questions
C.O.R.E.
National Craft Championships
Apprenticeship Training Fund Law
School Year Information
Career Services
ConstructionU Management Education
News
News Releases
E-Newsletters
Construction Economics
ABC National Newsline
Construction Executive
Political Advocacy
Priority Issues
ABC Political Action Committee
Free Enterprises Alliance
We Build Maryland
ABC National Legislative Week
ABC Action Center
2020 Legislative Wrap-up
News Releases
Home
Rss Feed
2019
May 2019 (1)
January 2019 (2)
2018
October 2018 (1)
August 2018 (1)
July 2018 (1)
2017
October 2017 (1)
March 2017 (1)
January 2017 (2)
2016
October 2016 (1)
Loading, please wait.
2019 General Assembly Adjourns - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
5/6/2019 7:58 PM -
anonymous
-
Uncategorized
-
0 Comments
The Maryland General Assembly adjourned Monday, April 8, 2019 with a flurry of activity on legislation of interest to ABC and the merit construction industry. Below is a short list of some issues lobbied on by ABC. A more comprehensive report will be forthcoming. If you have any questions regarding these bill or any others introduced during the 2019 session, please contact Chris Garvey at 410-267-0347.
MINIMUM WAGE- ENACTED
Maryland became the 6th state to approve a gradual minimum wage increase to $15 an hour. It will increase to $11 next January, followed by increases of 75 cents a year to $14 in 2024 before reaching $15 in 2025. The bill was vetoed by the Governor but the General Assembly overrode his veto.
ABC opposed the bill with concerns about the difference in demographics across the state and how it would impact the industry in those jurisdictions outside the metropolitan areas. ABC also expressed concern about the impact it would have on the apprenticeship programs and their ability to establish rates based on a percentage of the journeyman’s rate.
RENEWABLE ENERGY- ENACTED
The state’s Renewal Energy Portfolio standard would increase from 25% by 2020 to 50% by 2030 with focus on off-shore wind and solar energy. ABC did not take a position on the legislation as drafted but was dragged in to the debate based on amendments added at the request of organized labor which provides for Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on the off shore wind projects. Despite a strong lobbying effort by ABC and other concerned business groups against the PLA language, it remained in the final bill.
FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM- DEFEATED
The bill would have established a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program which would have provided up to 12 weeks of benefits to an employee who is taking partially paid leave from employment due to caring for family members or the employee’s own health condition. The bill would impact all employers who would have to pay a portion of the contributions to fund the program and establish a mechanism to add the contributions to their payroll systems. ABC strongly opposed the bill which did not get out of committee. The bad news is that it will be back next year.
PROCUREMENT- PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS- OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS- DEFEATED
Safety is a major priority for ABC and the merit construction industry but this bill went way beyond the necessary safety information required when bidding on a state project. One of ABC’s major objections was a requirement that a questionnaire be required and based on how a contractor scores, could be prohibited from bidding on state work. ABC argues that several of the existing safety programs overseen by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (soon to be renamed the Department of Labor) provide the necessary protections for workers and companies engaged in this work. ABC opposed the bill and was able to convince the committee that the legislation as drafted was too broad and punitive in nature.
Share this post
«
Leadership ABC 2018 Young Leader of the Year Announced
Possibly related posts:
2019 Board of Director Slate
ABC’s Four Maryland Chapters Formally Endorse Governor Hogan for 2nd Term
Leadership ABC 2018 Young Leader of the Year Announced
2019 Officers and Directors Named at ABC Chesapeake Shores
2017 Officers & Directors Named at ABC Chesapeake Shores
Comments are closed for this post, but if you have spotted an error or have additional info that you think should be in this post, feel free to contact us.