News
Apply now for AGC/WSDOT Excellence in Contract Administration awards
The awards, presented annually at the AGC/WSDOT annual meeting, recognize and encourage extraordinary achievements by the contractor/WSDOT partnership responsible for delivering transportation projects in a timely, professional and responsive manner while also considering the needs of others who are affected by the project.
Posted on 07/31/2017
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
Acceptable worksites: new City of Seattle specification provisions now in effect
The City of Seattle’s City Purchasing & Contracting Services recently revised its General Special Provisions for City construction contracts to add new “Acceptable Worksite” language.
Posted on 07/11/2017
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
Don’t work apprentices out of scope, reminds L&I and WSDOT
In a recent memo to contractors, WSDOT and L&I reminded contractors that they are not permitted to work an apprentice outside of their approved scope of work and that they could be prohibited from bidding should they do so.
Posted on 07/10/2017
L&I says contractors can now submit certified payrolls electronically
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries recently launched the option for contractors to upload payroll records on public works projects to create certified payroll reports.
Posted on 07/10/2017
AGC of Washington mourns the passing of Gene J. Colin
Gene J. Colin, age 76, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Ferguson Construction, died of natural causes while doing what he loved on Tuesday morning, June 6th.
Posted on 06/12/2017
Court of Appeals to review King County’s attempted end-around venue statute
In April, AGC’s Legal Affairs Committee supported a contractor-member’s efforts before the Washington Court of Appeals. The Legal Affairs Committee joined the contractor in asking the appellate court to consider the contractor’s request to have its lawsuit against King County decided in a Snohomish County court.
Posted on 06/06/2017
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
L&I says new system makes it easier to meet requirements
L&I has announced that contractors have a completely redesigned system that makes it easier to meet requirements on public works projects.
Posted on 06/05/2017
WSDOT using Maximum Funds Available specifications for a few projects
WSDOT has announced that a few projects to be advertised by the end of this year will carry Maximum Funds Available specifications. For these projects bids will be rejected if the bid amounts exceed the specified maximum funds available.
Posted on 06/05/2017
WSDOT implements waiver of women-owned businesses from COA goals on FHA-funded projects
Beginning June 1, 2017 women-owned businesses no longer satisfy Condition of Award (COA) goals on federally-funded (specifically Federal Highway Administration funded) projects, WSDOT has announced.
Posted on 06/05/2017
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
Construction stormwater general permit now in effect
Having satisfied all the elements involved in the appeal filed by AGC and partners, the Department of Ecology has announced that the modified Construction Stormwater General Permit is now in effect.
Posted on 05/08/2017
AGC of America pushes Perkins Act reauthorization
Legislation reauthorizing and updating the Perkins Act was introduced in Congress recently.