News for Legislation
No capital budget, no Hirst fix as Legislature adjourns
After a long session that saw the Legislature reach a hard-fought compromise on the operating budget to address the McCleary decision, policymakers left Olympia last week without passing a 2017-2019 capital budget nor a solution to the water-related Hirst decision.
Posted on: 07/24/2017
AGC secures legislators’ help to speed up retainage release
At the request of AGC, key legislators are pursuing faster release of retainage on public works projects. House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee Chair Mike Sells and Ranking Minority Member Matt Manweller as well as Senate Commerce, Labor & Sports Committee Chair Michael Baumgartner are pressing the Department of Labor and Industries to dramatically speed-up the time it takes to release retainage.
Posted on: 07/17/2017
Contact your legislators today and urge them to pass the Capital Budget now!
The State Legislature has passed the operating budget -- but not the capital budget, which funds a multitude of construction projects.
Posted on: 07/14/2017
No capital gains, B&O tax increase in new state budget
Just barely avoiding a government shutdown, the Legislature on June 30 passed the $44 billion 2017-2019 state operating budget.
Posted on: 07/11/2017
Legislature passes compromise paid family-leave bill
The Legislature passed and Governor signed a compromise family leave bill that included significant elements sought by the business community.
Posted on: 07/10/2017
General Construction case highlights Courts’ ongoing struggle with Mike M. Johnson
Another court in Washington was asked to apply the Mike M. Johnson decision to a contractor’s claim for extra work. This time it was the Division III Court of Appeals in Washington.
Posted on: 06/06/2017
Transportation budget passes but no agreement yet on operating and capital budgets
While deals on the state’s operating and capital budgets remain elusive, the Legislature has passed the 2017-2019 transportation budget, and on May 16 Gov. Inslee signed it.
Posted on: 05/23/2017
Governor signs bill requiring generals to post retainage bond upon request of subs
Effective July 23, 2017, general contractors will be required to bond for a subcontractor’s portion of retainage, upon request of the subcontractor.
Posted on: 05/23/2017
Put down the cell phone when distracted driver law takes effect July 23
Gov. Inslee signed a new distracted-driving law and accelerated its implementation to July 23. The bill as passed by the Legislature had an effective date of Jan. 1, 2019 as sponsors wanted to give police and drivers time to prepare.
Posted on: 05/23/2017
Pregnancy accommodations bill signed into law
On May 16, Gov. Inslee signed SSB 5835, requiring businesses with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant women. The bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, and takes effect July 23, 2017.
Posted on: 05/23/2017
AGC’s BUILD PAC endorses Jinyoung Lee Englund for key State Senate spot
In one of the most consequential state legislative races in decades, AGC’s BUILD PAC has endorsed Jinyoung Lee Englund for the 45th District State Senate seat.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
AGC’s career awareness legislation signed into law
In a victory for AGC, career awareness legislation spearheaded by the association was signed into law by Gov. Inslee last week.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
Jaci Hayden testifies against Senate tax increase bill
Government Affairs Committee member Jaci Hayden testified on behalf of AGC before the Senate Ways and Means Committee April 26. Hayden expressed AGC’s opposition to SB 5929, a comprehensive tax increase bill, especially the bill’s proposed 20-percent B&O tax increase.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
AGC supports occupational disease case before State Supreme Court
AGC has thrown its support behind a State Supreme Court case that could be a very significant public polity case dealing with occupational disease causation that could ultimately impact workers’ comp rates.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
AGC of America pushes Perkins Act reauthorization
Legislation reauthorizing and updating the Perkins Act was introduced in Congress recently.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
Contact Congress to repeal burdensome prior approval requirement
AGC of America urges members to contact their Congressional representatives and ask them to support bill HR 2101 to repeal the discriminatory Prior Approval requirement that creates unnecessary confusion for AGC member companies.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
House Democrats propose 20% B&O tax increase, new capital-gains tax
With the state House proposed operating budget approved by that body, eyes are now fixed on legislation needed to fund it. HB 2186 received a “do pass” recommendation from the House Finance Committee April 4 after a public hearing the day prior.
Posted on: 04/10/2017
Build schools? Get ready to build more.
The State House and Senate recently released state capital budget proposals, and both invest a record amount -- $1.1 billion – toward school construction.
Posted on: 04/10/2017
State Senate, House release competing budget proposals
The Washington Senate's Republican-led Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC) unveiled its "Protecting Washington's Future" budget – a $43 billion spending plan – last week and quickly passed it by a 25-24 vote.
Posted on: 03/28/2017
Blacklisting regulation repeal signed into law
AGC of America and its members achieved a major legislative victory yesterday when President Trump signed legislation to repeal of the Blacklisting regulations, which would have implemented President Obama’s “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” Executive Order.
Posted on: 03/28/2017
Workers’ Comp Action Alert
Please urge your State Senator to support workers’ comp reform! Senate Bill 5822.
Posted on: 02/28/2017
AGC’s Career Awareness Bill
AGC’s Past President Nancy Munro and Executive Vice President David D’Hondt testified before the Senate Higher Education Committee in support of AGC priority legislation that would create a career awareness training.
Posted on: 02/28/2017
AGC and partners push Mike M. Johnson fix
Several AGC members traveled to Olympia to testify in support of legislation to address onerous notice requirements precipitated by the Mike M. Johnson Supreme Court decision.
Posted on: 02/14/2017
Congress to consider repealing blacklisting & other midnight Obama regulations this week
This week, Congress is considering the repeal of last minute Obama administration regulations, including the Blacklisting regulations. Urge your members of Congress to repeal this and other Obama regulations now.
Posted on: 01/31/2017
Sen. Mark Schoesler named Legislator of the Year
AGC of Washington's 2016 Legislator of the Year, Senator Mark Schoesler, is a true leader in Olympia who solves problems and gets things done.