Governmental Update

2022 LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE

BY: CARSON DELARUE, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

We are almost two months into the 2022 Louisiana Legislative Session. We have read over 1,000 bills to identify potential impact on the merit shop construction industry and are actively supporting the bills that advance the merit shop principles, while vehemently opposing those that undermine Louisiana’s progress. Additionally, we are monitoring numerous bills to ensure that any potential amendments do not hinder our industry. Thus far, the legislators and bystanders at the capitol have been amicable. However, the friendliness is unlikely to last as the pace picks up and interests collide over how to spend Louisiana’s $3.4 billion in one-time money and committees start hearing the more controversial social bills. ABC of Louisiana will continue to focus on the fight to promote our industry and merit shop values. We have strong allies in the legislature, a solid support coalition, and a knowledgeable member base – all of which position us for a successful session. On Tuesday, March 29th, the Senate and House voted to adjourn the regular session to hold a veto override session regarding Governor Edwards’ veto of HB1, which provided for Louisiana’s new U.S. congressional districts. At noon on Wednesday, March 30th, the House and Senate gaveled into the veto session. After about 30 minutes of debate the House voted 7231 to override the Governor’s veto. The Senate soon followed by voting 27-11 in favor of the override. For the first time in 31 years, legislators successfully overturned a gubernatorial veto. The legal impact of this veto override remains unclear, as the maps will inevitably get challenged in the courts. However, this dealt a severe blow to Governor Edwards’ political clout, as Speaker Schexnayder rallied the Republican Delegation and obtained additional votes from one Democrat and three Independents. Sometime in the near future we will likely discover what deals the Speaker had to make in order to secure these votes. On Friday, April 8th, ABC of Louisiana hosted a legislative bill review. We had great dialogue and created a clear path forward to defend and promote the merit shop construction industry during the 2022 Legislative Session. Review of Session (as of April 12, 2022): HB 221, by Representative Magee, revises public bid and quote requirements. Specifically, it requires all purchases of materials or supplies exceeding the sum of $60,000 paid out by public funds be advertised and let by contracts to the lowest responsible bidder. It also requires that purchases exceeding the sum of $20,000 but less than $60,000 paid out by public funds be made by obtaining no fewer than three quotes. HB221 passed off the House Floor with a 93-0 vote and is awaiting a committee assignment in the Senate. ABC-LA is monitoring HB 221. HB 230, by Representative Stuart Bishop, extends the deadline to apply for rebates in the Louisiana Quality Jobs Program. HB 571 passed off the House Floor with a 91-0 vote and is awaiting a committee assignment in the Senate. ABC-LA is supporting HB 230. HB 571, by Representative Gadberry, provides the State Uniform Construction Code Council with the authority, under extraordinary circumstances, to extend the deadline to adopt new versions of the State Uniform Construction Code by one-year. HB571 passed off the House Floor with a 94-0 vote and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce. ABC-LA is monitoring HB 571. HB 581, by Representative St. Blanc, modifies the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law found within La. R.S. 40:1749.11 et seq. The modifications add “unplanned utility outages” to the statutory definition of “emergency”, revises the list of holidays observed by regional notification centers, and reduces the timeframe whereby an excavator or demolisher must provide notice of an emergency excavation. HB581 passed off the House Floor by a vote of 95-0 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce. ABC-LA is monitoring HB 581.

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HB 598, by Representative Selders, prevents building inspectors from using their discretion in determining the applicability of building codes. HB598 reported out of the House Commerce Committee with amendments and is now awaiting a vote on the House Floor. ABC-LA is monitoring HB 598. HB 602, by Representative Davis, revises and reorganizes provisions of La. R.S. Title 37 regarding the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. HB 602 passed of the House Floor with a 97-0 vote and is awaiting a Senate committee assignment. ABC-LA is monitoring HB 602. HB 487, by Representative Riser, requires that contractors for state projects designate at least 2% of all man-hours to registered apprentices. We provided opposition testimony in the House Committee on Labor & Industrial Relations and secured a 5-5 vote. The tie vote resulted HB 487’s deferment. ABC-LA opposes HB 487. HB 412, by Representative Goudeau, improves unemployment fraud policing and provides for unemployment benefit revocation if one fails to attend employment interviews without good cause. HB 412 reported favorably from the House Committee on Labor & Industrial Relations. ABCLA is supporting HB 412. HB 710, by Representative Stefanski, redefines the requirements and procedures for the construction management at risk (CMAR) project delivery method, including the request for qualifications, selection review committee members, and all selection review committee meetings. ABC-LA is monitoring HB 710. SB 248, by Senator Luneau, requires that certain contractors for designate at least 2% of all man-hours to registered apprentices. This bill was heard in the Senate Committee on Labor & Industrial Relations at the same time as Representative Riser’s similar bill. After hearing testimony, Senator Luneau voluntarily deferred SB 248. ABC-LA opposes SB 248.

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Our always popular Spring Golf Tournament was held on Friday, March 11 at Pelican Point. This was ABC Pelican’s first time hosting a tournament at Pelican Point and it was a great one, thanks to our members! Over 50 teams and 30 sponsors helped make this day one to remember. The morning started off like it usually does with a rush of golfers strapping in their bags and enjoying a bite to eat, provided by Peri Formwork Systems and Griffin Dewatering. At 9am the golfers took off to enjoy a day on the course with great food and even better company. Thank you to our tent sponsors for providing the delicious food and drinks, Ardent Services, RelaDyne, Diversified Materials & Consulting (DMC), L’Auberge, Universal Data, Doggett Machinery, Pipe & Steel Industrial, 3S Team, Enterprise Truck Rental, Bottom Line Equipment, Ferrara Transport Services, Contech Control Services, Repcon, Engineering & Inspection Services, Braun Intertec, W-Industries, Infinity Energy Services, Claymar Construction, Merit Electrical, Emery Equipment Sales & Rentals, I&I, Berard Transportation, Sealevel Construction, 24HR Safety, Holes Golden Triangle, Barriere Construction Company, Fresh Market, Eustis Engineering, Gainey’s Concrete Products, United Rentals, GLO Resources, Brecheen Pipe & Steel, All Crane Rental of Louisiana, SJB Group, LAPCO Manufacturing and Modern Metals Recycling. We would also like to thank our two beverage sponsors for keeping the teams hydrated, Mobilease and APC Construction. Winners of the tournament were determined by which course you played, there are three winners in each place. Third place winners go to EXCEL Group with a score of 55, Doggett with a score of 57 and Milwaukee with a score of 57, also. Second place winners were I&I with a score of 56, Prime Occupational Medicine with a score of 57 and Hancock Whitney with a score of 54. And our first place trophies were given to United Rentals with a score of 53, 3S Team with a score of 56 and Cajun Industries with a score of 55. We also awarded three closest to the pin and longest drive winners. Justin White, Barriere, Sydney Cavin, United Rentals and Chad Hort, EXCEL all won closest to the pin trophies. Longest drive trophies were awarded to Ryan Breedlove, I&I, Melissa Gaffney, Alliant and Sarah Thrash, Five-S Group. Congratulations to all the tournament winners! We would also like to recognize our hole sponsors, Terracon Consultants, Waskey, Red Ball Oxygen, H&E Equipment Services, CORE Occupational Medicine, Willscot, Bilfinger, Milwaukee Tool, Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana, Infinity Energy Services, Michelli Weighing & Measurement, ParFab and Brecheen Pipe & Steel.