ABC Pelican 2024 Summer Newsletter

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MERIT SHOP MESSAGE

Builders & Contractors

ABC Pelican is one of 68 chapters of a national construction industry trade association representing more than 22,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy in 1980, the Pelican Chapter helps our members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably, and for the betterment of the communities in which we work.

Merit Shop is a way of doing business in which companies reward employees based on performance and encourage them to reach their highest level of achievement, and in which contracts are awarded based on safety, quality and value, regardless of labor affiliation.

MERIT SHOP MESSAGE

Summer 2024

Editorial/Design

Macie Morgan

Writers & Contributors

BIC Alliance

Chair

Scott Callaway Cajun Industries

Chair-Elect

John Cassagne

MMR Constructors

Secretary Michelle Hardy Turner Industries

Table of Contents

Letter from the Chair 04

ABCLA Fishing Rodeo 07

ABCLA Legislative Update 11 LWCC 15

Summer Event Pictures 20

BIC Alliance Guest Article 26 New Members 28

Treasurer Ben Brown Turner Industries

Vice Chair Education

Seth Lemoine LEMOINE

Vice Chair

Membership Growth Wes Mincin Performance Contractors

Vice Chair Member Services

Lance Arvel EXCEL

Vice Chair Governmental Relations

Shane Kirkpatrick

Group Contractors

Vice Chair Outlying Area

John Freeman Brown & Root

DIRECTORS

Adam Landry PALA - Interstate

Scott McKnight Gallagher

Ben Fromenthal Fabricated Pipe

Jeremiah Johnson

Louisiana CAT

Andrew Thompson ISC Constructors

Josh Zumo Cajun Industries

Lance Glaser Performance Contractors

Danny Campbell Triad Electric & Controls

Alternate Board Members: Matthew Allen MMR Constructors

Daniel Williams MAPP

Legal Counsel: Murphy J. Foster, III

Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP

Editorial/Subscription/Advertising mmorgan@abcpelican.com

Cajun’s unique GC/ EPC service offering provides multi-discipline engineering and directhire construction under one roof. This construction-driven approach delivers engineering packages which ultimately result in measurable cost

enhanced safety performance, and the quality and productivity you have come to expect from Cajun.

A LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

A LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

Even though it does not feel like it, fall is upon us which means training, events and more will be ramping back up at the Pelican Chapter. With great volunteers and tremendous staff, we have many irons in the fire at the ABC office and training centers. The ABC Pelican Board of Directors and staff members have been working diligently on this year’s Pelican Chapter Strategic Initiatives and continue to reach and exceed goals.

One of our focus areas this year was member company participation in STEP. The Pelican Chapter wants to help our members make sure their employees are returning home safely, to their loved ones, every single day.

If you do not know, STEP stands for Safety Training Evaluation Process and serves as a valuable tool for ABC members to consistently build upon their safety training programs as well as gain recognition for their outstanding safety efforts. This Safety Management System provides contractors and suppliers with a robust, no cost framework for measuring safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry.

I would like to recognize this year’s STEP recipients (as of 8/5/2024). Diamond Recipients: Aggregate Technologies, AMECO, APC Construction, Ardent Services, Baker Gulf Coast Industrial, Barriere Construction Company, a CRH Company, Beard Construction Group, Bengal Crane & Rigging, Bluewater Constructors, Bronco Industrial Services, Bottom Line Equipment, Brown & Root Industrial Services, Cajun Industries, Contech Control Services, DarkHorse Industries, DLS, Doggett Machinery Services, EP Breaux Electrical, EXCEL Group, Fabricated Pipe, Five-S Group, GROUP Contractors, Holes Golden Triangle, I&I, ISC Constructors, ISG, ISO Services, LEMOINE, MAPP, Mason Construction, MMR Constructors, Moore Industries, Omega Foundations, Patriot Construction & Industrial, Performance Contractors, Picou Brothers construction, Pipe & Steel Industrial Fabricators, Primoris Services Corporation, RES Contractors RIGID Contractors, Southern Underground of Louisiana, Standard Constructors, STARCON, The McDonnel Group, Thompson Engineering, Tolunay-Wong Engineering, Tried Electric & Controls, Trade Construction, Turner Industries, United Rentals, US Fusion & Specialty Construction, Westgate. Platinum Recipients: Action Industries, CAM Industrial Solutions, Danos, Forgen, PALA-

Interstate,Pat Williams Construction, Rudick Construction Group, Sealevel Construction. Gold Recipient: Fire Tech Systems. Silver Recipients: AKM, Gainey’s, S&S Sprinkler Company, United Safety. Bronze Recipients: Claymar Construction, CLM Equipment.

If you are interested in joining these ABC members on their journey to being safer, reach out to Kacie Blanchard at kblanchard@abcpelican.com or visit www.abcpelican.org/step.

Now for a few more updates. As mentioned before the ABC Pelican staff and volunteers are in full force getting ready for a busy fall season of events and training. We have an upcoming Southwest Industry Breakfast (August 27), golf tournaments (Baton Rouge & Lake Charles), the annual Southwest Fishing Tournament, the annual Clay Shoot benefitting the LSU CM Team and of course the Excellence in Construction & STEP Awards Banquet.

The Pelican Chapter Excellence in Construction Awards Program has started accepting project registrations and applications. Here are a few dates of note; Pelican Chapter participants have until August 22 to register their project. September 26 is the deadline for project submissions. The Pelican Chapter Awards Program will be held December 5 at L’Auberge Casino Baton Rouge.

The National Excellence in Construction Awards Program will open project registration soon, with the deadline to submit your project registration being October 25. All National EIC applications must be submitted by November 15. The 35th National EIC Awards Gala will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 26, 2025 during the ABC National Convention.

As always, thank you for your continued support of the merit shop and the ABC Pelican Chapter. I look forward to the next few months serving as your chairman.

2024 ABCLA FISHING RODEO

ABC OF LOUISIANA FISHING RODEO

June 2024

Congratulations to this year’s ABC of Louisiana Fishing Rodeo winners! Thank you for joining us for this great event. A special thank you to all sponsors and supporters. We could not do it without y’all’s commitment and support.

Big Game

Almaco Jack:

1st: Eric Sturrock, On-Site (10.89)

Unique Catch:

1st: Jason Cory, Cory, Tucker, Larrowe

2nd: Les Marchand, Claymar

3rd: Erick Sturrock, On-Site

Barracuda:

1st: Jason Cory, Cory, Tucker, Larrowe (9.77)

2nd: Ethan Cheramie, K&B Healthwork (7.56)

3rd: Matt McMann, RNGD (6.77)

Blackfin Tuna:

1st: Nick Trussey, Baker (23.82)

2nd: Matt McMann, RNGD (23.79)

3rd: Nick Trussey, Baker (23.29)

Bonita:

1st: John Cassagne, MMR (15.28

2nd: Eric Sturrock, On-Site (12.45)

3rd: Randy Cannella, MMR (12.32)

Cobia:

1st: Christina Campbell, Cajun (43.16)

2nd: Matt McMann, RNGD (38.59)

3rd: David Truxillo, Cajun (22.71)

Dolphin:

1st: Nancy Howard, Baker (46.65)

2nd: Les Marchand, Claymar (5.13)

3rd: Les Marchand, Claymar (4.78)

Grouper:

1st: Eric Sturrock, On-Site (39.07)

2nd: Eric Sturrock, On-Site (24.24)

3rd: Caleb Clark, 24HR Safety (21.55)

Jack Crevalle:

1st: Frank Lidberg, Hugg & Hall (27.06)

2nd: John Cassagne, MMR (23.63)

3rd: Anthony Wheat, MMR (23.90)

Red Snapper:

1st: Anthony Wheat, MMR (24.08)

2nd: John Cassagne, MMR (21.90

3rd: Randy Canella, MMR (19.49)

Wahoo:

1st: Caleb Clark, 24HR Safety (11.26)

Yellowfin Tuna

1st: Ronnie Ramono, Baker (128.80)

2nd: Chris McCready, 24HR Safety (53.04)

3rd: Amanda Duhon, Baker (50.32)

Best Boat: MMR

Master Angler: Eric Sturrock

2024 ABCLA FISHING RODEO

ABC OF LOUISIANA FISHING RODEO

Winners Continued

Shoreline

Black Drum:

1st: Austin Bryce, Ferguson (23.21)

2nd: Matt Mitchell, Hugg & Hall (18.92)

3rd: Ben DeLaune, Hugg & Hall (18.20)

Flounder:

1st: Trey St. John, Bengal (1.23)

2nd: Chad Dauzat, Bengal (0.88)

3rd: Chris Mars, Performance (0.69)

Gaftop Catfish:

1st: Brandon Ashley, Five-S Group (5.45)

2nd: Barry Enlow, Five-S Group (4.21)

3rd: McKinley Lidberg, Hugg & Hall (3.84)

Bull Red:

1st: Rusty DeBarge, Cajun (34.32)

2nd: Danny Bergeron, ISC (19.73)

3rd: Steve Lavergne, Performance (19.43)

Red Drum:

1st: Alex Melancon, Southern Underground (8.66)

2nd: Austin Brice, Southern Underground (8.41)

3rd: Chris Mars, Performance (7.90)

Sheepshead:

1st: Eric Fauveau, Ferguson (4)

2nd: Hunter Mincin, Performance (3.44)

3rd: Chris Mars, Performance (2.97)

Spanish Mackeral:

1st: Lee Browning, ISG (4.04)

2nd: Lee Browning, ISG (2.95)

3rd: Lee Browning, ISG (2.49)

Speckled Trout:

1st: Jeremy Sexton, ISG (6.53)

2nd: Jeremy Sexton, ISG (5.08)

3rd: Travis Dardenne, ISG (4.45)

White Trout:

1st: Steve Lavergne, ISC (1.52)

2nd: Roy Sandrock, United Rentals (1.21)

3rd: Pete Denham, ISC (0.62)

Best Boat: ISG

Master Angler: Lee Browning

Spearfishing

Almaco Jack:

1st: Gary Golden, Performance (1.74)

Barracuda:

1st: Joel Thames, Performance (24.32)

2nd: Brady Wax, Performance (24.26)

3rd: Brady Wax, Performance (22.96)

Jack Crevalle:

1st: Gary Golden, Performance (29.32)

Mangrove Snapper:

1st: Joel Thames, Performance (2.75)

Sheepshead:

1st: Gary Golden, Performance (4.96)

2nd: Gary Golden, Performance (2.94)

3rd: Brady Wax, Performance (2.73)

Bes t Boat: Performance

King Spearfisherman: Gary Golden

Most Spots: Jeremy Sexton

5 Trout Stringer (Day 1):

1st: ISG

2nd: Cory, Tucker, Larrowe

3rd: ISC

5 Trout Stringer (Day 2):

1st: ISG

2nd: ISG

3rd: ISG

2024 ABCLA FISHING RODEO

HTB

Audit

Mergers

Outsourced

2024 Event Calendar

LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE

2024 LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE

The 2024 Louisiana Legislative Session convened at noon on March 11th and adjourned on June 3rd. ABC Louisiana held our annual bill review on March 6th where we discussed the pre-filed bills’ potential impact on the merit shop. Of the 2,249 legislative instruments filed this year, ABC Louisiana took positions on or monitored 222 bills and resolutions. We worked with our coalition of peer associations and industry partners on several construction-specific bills, various labor issues, legal and insurance reform, workers’ compensation reform, and workforce education.

While the legislature adjourned sine die on June 3, that was not the end of the process. When a bill passes, the legislature has three days to send it to the Governor’s office. Once received, the Governor has ten days (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto the bill. If he does neither within that timeframe, the bill becomes law without his signature. If the Governor receives a bill after the end of the legislative session, then he has twenty days (excluding Sundays) for the same to apply. Since the Governor received numerous bills following the end of Session, the final update on which bills became law did not come until June 26. Now that everything is said and done, we can review the legal changes arising from this Session.

As you know, industry and free enterprise principles are constantly under attack. It is a worthwhile endeavor to aggressively defend against such attacks, as the hardwon victories achieved over the last fifty years could easily slip away. During the last eight years, ABC Louisiana has largely played defense to prevent a backslide on key Merit Shop issues. While we remain successful in defending the Merit Shop, Louisiana’s general business climate and quality of life

factors cause hemorrhaging of residents to other states with more opportunity. If we lose all our talent, then our signature victories like Rightto-Work won’t really matter. This Session provided the first opportunity in nearly a decade to stop the bleeding. The results were mixed, but I remain optimistic about the road ahead.

Like many, we had high expectations going into this Session. The 2023 elections provided us with a putatively business-oriented governor and a freshman class of legislators who are hungry for change. As candidates, this freshman class pounded the pavement through a blistering summer meeting constituents, refining their platform, and asking for votes. The Session’s agenda was largely derived from what they learned on the trail, especially regarding the creation of a competitive insurance market and reforming our education system. Since the legislature completed two special sessions prior to convening the Regular Session, new legislators were ready to finally have an opportunity to deliver on their big campaign promises.

While we succeeded in helping them to marshal through several bills this session, some of which have been in discussion for twenty-plus years, we did not see the big reform measures pass. Specifically, the Governor vetoed a critical piece of our Legal Reform Coalition’s package, major reform to Louisiana’s education system was watered down, and a constitutional convention is on hold.

The biggest disappointment was not so much that we lost on any one specific piece of legislation, but more because the losses made it clear that the folks who remain committed to the status quo still retain significant power.

Despite the delay, we are gaining momentum. We laid the foundation for significant reform this Session, the freshmen learned the process, and we are strengthening our coalition of support.

Louisiana has a bright future ahead, but we must fight for it. The maxim “Get into politics or get out of business” remains as true now as it did when our organization was founded.

This report highlights several legislative instruments that ABC Louisiana took a position on or monitored during the 2024 Regular Session.

2024 Legislation

Construction

HCR 80 by Rep. Les Farnum

• Status: Sent to the Secretary of State

• ABC Position: Support

• Compromise resolution created in response to Rep. Farnum’s HB 101, which would have amended the Private Works Act to relieve a homeowner of claims/ securing privileges brought by subcontractors and/ or suppliers against him if the general contractor has been paid in full.

• Creates a task force directing the Louisiana State Law Institute to study the Private Works Act relative to protecting homeowners from these claims/ securing privileges.

• ABC Louisiana to be on the task force.

HB 623 by Rep. Troy Romero

• Status: Signed by Governor – Act 227

• ABC Position: Monitor

• Removes the requirement that the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors maintain at least two board members selected by the American Subcontractors Association.

• Provides that there shall be one member with the greater part of his experience as a licensed concrete contractor. The Speaker of the House shall submit to the Governor a list of three members of the Louisiana Concrete Association, and the Governor shall appoint one of the three.

• Provides that there shall be one member with the greater part of his experience as a subcontractor. The President of the Senate shall submit to the Governor a list of three members of the American Subcontractors Association of Louisiana, and the Governor shall appoint one of the three.

SB 392 by Sen. Mark Abraham

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 178

• ABC Position: Monitor

• Removes Home Improvement Registrant’s ability to perform structural work on an existent structure, nor be able to build an outbuilding.

• Reduces the contract value for a Home Improvement Registrant from $75,000 to $50,000.

• Requires written contractual agreement for anyone performing home improvement work.

HB 940 by Rep. Chris Turner

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 751

• ABC Position: Monitor

• Creates a program whereby the legislature can appropriate up to $2 billion to handle deferred maintenance for the LSU system ($1.07 billion), the UL System ($523 million), LCTCS ($253 million), and the Southern System ($153 million) without having to go through HB2 annually.

SB 169 by Sen. Glen Womack

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 165

• ABC Position: Support

• Provides that a declaration that a public works contract is null and void as being contrary to the provisions of R.S. 38:2211 et seq., shall not affect the amounts due and payable under the contract, including overhead and profit, for the work performed by or on behalf of the contractor.

SB 131 by Sen. Greg Miller

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 758

• ABC Position: Support

• Applicable to the Private Works Act

• Legislatively overturns Bear Industries v. Hanover, 2041 So.3d 1159 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2018) by allowing a surety to assert any defense to the principal obligation that its principal could assert except for lack of capacity or discharge in bankruptcy of the principal obligor.

SB 265 by Sen. Glen Womack

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 761

• ABC Position: Support

• Applicable to the Public Works Act

• Legislatively overturns Glencoe v. Clerk of Court, 65 So.3d 225 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2011) by allowing a surety to assert any defense to the principal obligation that its principal could assert except for lack of capacity or discharge in bankruptcy of the principal obligor.

SCR 82 by Sen. Glen Womack

• Status: Sent to the Secretary of State

• ABC Position: Support

• Created the Public Projects Payment Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding the Louisiana Public Works Act for the purpose of facilitating and improving the timeliness of payments made by public entities to general contractors.

• ABC Louisiana will be on the task force.

SB 489 by Sen. Stewart Cathey

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 534

• ABC Position: Support

• Provides that the State Uniform Fire Prevention Code will be the National Fire Prevention Code (NFPA) or the International Fire Code (IFC).

• Provides that the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council will maintain rule promulgation authority regarding the fire code instead of the State Fire Marshal.

• Adds the State Fire Marshal or his designee to serve on the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code

Council.

• Provides that state and federally owned buildings shall continue using the Life Safety Code.

SB 490 by Sen. Stewart Cathey

• Status: Subject to call – House final passage

• ABC Position: Oppose as amended

• Amended by the House Committee on Commerce to provide that for the purposes of broadband deployment, if a contractor is timely notified of a municipality or parish’s inability to locate, mark, or provide information as to the location of its underground utilities, then the contractor shall be liable for any and all damage to the underground utilities arising from excavation/demolition.

SB 396 by Sen. Patrick McMath

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 104

• ABC Position: Monitor

• Amends current law allowing civil engineers to engage in architectural work without being registered and licensed to practice architecture.

• Provides occupancy classification restrictions on civil engineers who engage in architectural work.

• For Factory Industrial and Storage, the total proposed occupant load shall be unlimited.

• For High Hazard, Utility, and Miscellaneous, the total proposed occupant load shall not exceed two hundred ninety-nine occupants.

• The updated provisions shall not apply to any civil engineer working on a building included in the following occupancy classifications: Mercantile, Residential, Educational, Institutional, Assembly, or Business.

HB 514 by Rep. Jacob Braud

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 26

• ABC Position: Monitor

• Increases Louisiana DOTD’s contract limit from $50k to $100k.

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HB 536 by Rep. Ryan Bourriaque

• Status: Pending Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works

• ABC Position: Oppose unless amended

• Would have attached the contract limit for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to the Professional Services contract limit provided for in La. R.S. 38:2316.

• HB 410 by Rep. Ken Brass increased the Professional Services limit from $500k to $1 million.

HB 646 by Rep. Francis Thompson

• Status: Vetoed by the Governor

• ABC Position: Monitor as amended

• Increases the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism’s contract limit from $250k to $1 million but provides that contracts in excess of $50k and less than the contract limit shall follow Title 38 bidding procedures.

• Sunsets on December 31, 2029.

HB 793 by Rep. Kim Coates

• Status: Signed by the Governor - Act 725

• ABC Position: Monitor

• Allows hospital service districts to utilize CMAR for projects in excess of $2 million.

Labor

HB 716 by Rep. Chuck Owen

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 568

• ABC Position: Support

• Provides that any state executive branch board, commission, department or agency that regulates the entry of persons into a particular profession or occupation that is authorized to issue or revoke occupational licenses or certifications shall issue an occupation license or certification to a person upon application if all of the following apply:

1. The applicant maintains an occupational license/certification from another state in an occupation with a similar scope of practice.

2. That license has been maintained for at least one year.

3. The other state required the applicant to pass an exam, or meet education, training, or experience standards.

4. The other state holds the applicant in good standing.

5. The applicant does not have a disqualifying criminal record.

6. The applicant does not have a disciplinary action or investigation pending in another state.

7. The applicant pays all applicable fees in Louisiana.

8. The applicant proves Louisiana residency.

• Excludes attorneys, peace officers, and water/ wastewater operators.

HB 200 by Rep. Michael Melerine

• Status: Became law without the Governor’s signature – Act 782

• ABC Position: Support

• Provides that insurers are prohibited from collecting workers’ compensation premiums from an insured arising out of a claim for employee misclassification unless the insurer provides written notice to the insured within ninety days of discovering the misclassification.

HB 529 by Rep. Raymond Crews

• Status: Subject to call – Senate final passage

• ABC Position: Support

• Would have simplified the “average weekly wage” calculation for purposes of workers’ compensation benefits. The legislation provided that the average weekly wage would be determined by dividing an employee’s total earnings by the total number of weeks that the employee was employed by the employer prior to the work accident, excluding the week of the accident and subject to a maximum of fifty-two weeks.

HB 618 by Rep. Beau Beaullieu

• Status: Subject to call – Senate final passage

• ABC Position: Support

• This legislation sought to create a process to compel medical releases and to require timely notification of work injury by the employee to the employer, and by the employer to the insurer.

HB 703 by Rep. Michael Melerine

• Status: Pending Senate Labor & Industrial Relations

• ABC Position: Support

• Would have removed incentives that encourage excessive and unnecessary litigation.

• Proposed changes would have:

1.Struck $50 daily penalty for minor employer/insurer errors.

2. Required plaintiff attorneys to document their work (date, billable time, task) when seeking punitive fees.

3. For purposes of obtaining punitive fees, defined “reasonably controverted” and placed burden on the claimant to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the employer acted unreasonably.

4. Required amicable demand before triggering penalties and attorney fees.

5. Provided opportunity for employers to avoid penalties by correcting errors prior to notification by the claimant or healthcare provider.

6. Granted employers’ access to WC courts to resolve disputes without having to terminate employee benefits, thereby triggering a formal claim by the employee.

HB 863 by Rep. Michael Echols

• Status: Pending Senate Labor & Industrial Relations

• ABC Position: Support

• Would have required the adoption of a medical fee reimbursement schedule.

Legal & Insurance Reform

HB 24 by Rep. Michael Melerine

• Status: Pending Senate Judiciary A

• ABC Position: Support

• This legislation would have ensured that litigants began court proceedings on equal footing. Current law maintains a judicially created presumption of causation (the Housley presumption). This presumption effectively means that a defendant must prove that the events in question did not cause the bodily injury subject to suit. This legislation would have removed the presumption so that the plaintiff must prove that the events in question did cause the bodily injury subject to suit.

HB 315 by Rep. Mike Johnson

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 423

• ABC Position: Monitor

• Increases Louisiana’s prescriptive period from one to two years.

SB 296 by Sen. Heather Cloud

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 584

• ABC Position: Support

• Removes Louisiana’s current “prior approval” insurance rate filing procedure in favor of “file and use” rate filing procedure.

SB 323 by Sen. Kirk Talbot

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 3

• ABC Position: Support

• Streamlines the property insurance claims process.

• In addition to bad faith penalties, allows claimants to receive “any proven economic damages sustained” by the insurer’s failure to timely pay a claim after receipt of satisfactory proof of loss.

• In the event that the insurer made partial payment, the bad faith penalty is reduced from 200% to 50% of the difference between the amount paid and the amount actually owed.

HB 337 by Rep. Jack McFarland

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 275

• ABC Position: Support

• Repeals Louisiana’s Direct-Action Statute

HB 611 by Rep. Gabe Firment

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 9

• ABC Position: Support

• Phases out Louisiana’s unique Three-Year Rule that prohibits an insurer from dropping a policy holder if the insured has maintained the policy for three or more years.

HB 423 by Rep Michael Melerine

• Status: Vetoed by the Governor

• ABC Position: Support

• Amends Louisiana’s collateral source rule.

• Current law limits the evidence available to the trier of fact. The judge/jury only sees the amount billed (i.e. the sticker price) and not the amount actually paid by the claimant.

• Current law also provides that a court “shall award” a plaintiff the damages incurred plus 40% of the difference between the damage incurred and the amount billed by a medical provider.

• Proposed law allowed the trier of fact to see both the amount billed and the amount paid if the plaintiff utilized insurance for medical treatment.

• Proposed law provided that the court “may award” the damages incurred plus up to 30% of the difference between the damage incurred and the amount billed by a medical provider.

SB 84 by Sen. Alan Seabaugh

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 502

• ABC Position: Support

• Closes a loophole in Louisiana’s “Offer of Judgment” law by clarifying when a defendant is due compensation from the plaintiff.

• Current law provides that if the final judgment obtained by the plaintiff-offeree is at least twentyfive percent less than the amount of the offer of judgment made by the defendant-offeror or if the final judgment obtained against the defendantofferee is at least twenty-five percent greater than

the amount of the offer of judgment made by the plaintiff-offeror, then the offeree must pay the offeror’s costs, exclusive of attorney fees, incurred after the offer was made.

• SB 84 adds that if a final judgment is in favor of the defendant-offeror, then the plaintiff-offeree must pay the defendant’s costs, exclusive of attorney fees, incurred after the offer was made.

SB 355 by Sen. Jeremy Stine

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 765

• ABC Position: Monitor

• Provides for the disclosure of third-party litigation financiers.

Workforce Education

HB 588 by Rep. Raymond Crews

• Status: Signed by the Governor – Act 623

• ABC Position: Support

• Alters the makeup of the Workforce Investment Council within the Louisiana Workforce Commission by:

1. Removing the 53-member requirement

2. Adding the speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee

3. Adding the president of the Senate or his designee

4. Adding that members appointed by the Governor shall be comprised of:

i. At least 51% business representatives

ii. At least 20% workforce representatives

• Maintains current council membership held by the following:

1. Governor

2. Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission

3. Secretary of DCFS

4. Secretary of LED

5. State superintendent of education

6. President of LCTCS

7. Secretary of DPSC

SUMMER SEASON EVENTS

SUMMER SEASON EVENTS

SUMMER SEASON EVENTS

SUMMER SEASON EVENTS

S w t TOURNAMENT

FISHING

Friday, Sept. 27| Calcasieu Point Landing

Fishing Times: 5:30a-1:00p | Weigh In: 11a-1p

Boundaries: Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana | Sabine Lake to the Gulf Jetties to catfish locks on Mermentau River | Public Areas Only | Licensed anglers must launch and fish on LA side

Captain’s Meeting:

Entry Fee:

$150/Angler

Includes custom ABC Pelican UV shirt

Annual Sponsors:

All Annual Sponsors receive 3 anglers

Sponsorships:

• Captain’s Meeting Sponsor: $1,000

Thursday, Sept. 26 | 6pm Bill’s Bar | Golden Nugget Lake Charles

Divisions:

Redfish (18-27 inches)

Speckled Trout

Speckled Trout (5 Stringer)

Redfish (most spots)

Misc. Fish (any inshore fish species other than listed above)

Anglers must weigh in or be in line by 1pm

• Captain’s Meeting Drink Sponsor: $500

*Sponsor provides koozies & cups

• Leaderboard Sponsor: $250

• UV TShirt Sponsor: $500

• Door Prize Sponsor: $500

• In- Kind Beverage Sponsor

*Sponsor provides alcohol, reg. beverages, koozies & cups during weigh-in and awards

• In-Kind Lunch Sponsor

*Sponsor provides lunch for weigh-in and awards

Register:

*ABC Pelican members & invited guests only

*Pre-registration required; no late entries accepted

*Cancellation required 72 hours in advance for full refund

Contact: Brooke Taylor at btaylor@abcpelican.com or 225.753.2497. www.abcpelican.org/events

BIC ALLIANCE GUEST ARTCLE

BIC ALLIANCE MARKS 40 YEARS PUBLISHING EXCELLENCE,

CHARTS INNOVATIVE COURSE

This year, BIC Alliance celebrates four decades of publishing for the energy market as the “Business and Industry Connection.” BIC staff is grateful to its many dedicated readers, marketing partners, industry associations and other collaborators who have been instrumental in BIC achieving this significant milestone.

In 1984, Earl Heard established BIC Alliance, embarking on a journey to foster connections among individuals in the business and industrial sectors for mutual advancement and prosperity.

Since its inception, BIC Magazine has served as a conduit for suppliers of services and products to connect with energy companies on the Gulf Coast and throughout the U.S. to help them increase the profitability and efficiency of their operations. The printed version of BIC Magazine, with its iconic tabloid format, is published six times a year and provides invaluable insights into industry trends and best practices.

BIC Alliance staff attends over 40 industry trade shows and conferences every year to stay connected with industry leaders and to bring its readership the most current developments.

A new website added a dimension to BIC’s distribution of content in 2011. Far from its modest beginning, BICMagazine.com is on point to attract 1.3 million page views in 2024. The website delivers top news and trends, profiles and video interviews of industry

leaders, events coverage and case studies and solutions. BICMagazine.com complements the magazine’s evergreen content with timely resources for professionals in the energy sector, facilitating informed decision-making and meaningful connections in the industry.

In addition to continually providing the industry with content that matters, BIC Magazine also delivers value to its marketing partners through myriad innovative outlets including newsletters, digital ads and marketing services, video interviews, webinars, industry roundtables and social media.

In 2022, BIC launched The PRIME Expo, for Plant Reliability, Inspection, Maintenance and Engineering professionals. Bringing together key stakeholders from downstream and midstream industries, the dynamic one-day conference and expo stimulates networking and collaborative exploration of solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and maintenance practices. The PRIME Expo is scheduled for August 20, 2024, in Pasadena, Texas.

BIC is proud to have connected people in the industry for four decades and looks forward to continuing to serve its readers, marketing partners and industry associations for decades to come.

For more information on how to put BIC Alliance’s experience to work for you, visit BICMagazine.com.

With 125 exhibitors showcasing innovative products and solutions, The PRIME Expo is the perfect opportunity to take your business to the next level. To attend, visit theprimeexpo.com.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Forgen Houston, TX Contractor

Hackley Enterprises Sulphur, LA Supplier

Installoy Pearland, TX Supplier

Eagle Compression Troy, MI Contractor

Metal Fab Guys Walker, LA Contractor

Work Designs Eunice, LA Supplier

Reintjes Services, Inc. Gonzales, LA Contractor

Bayou Tree Services

New Orleans, LA Contractor

BearCom, LLC

Baton Rouge, LA Contractor

Locke Solutions Precast Solutions Houston, TX Supplier

Baton Rouge Machine Works

Baton Rouge, LA Contractor

SentriForce

Lake Charles, LA Contractor

The Gauge House Baton Rouge, LA Supplier

Security & Safety Associates of LA Gonzales, LA Industry Professional

WHC Energy Services Broussard, LA Contractor

Module X Solutions Shreveport, LA Contractor

Martin Industrial Contracting Services Baton Rouge, LA Contractor

Bengal Pest Control Baton Rouge, LA Contractor

Golden Nugget Lake Charles Lake Charles, LA Industry Professional

Premier Hot Shot Geismar, LA Supplier

Tenna, LLC Fulshear, Texas Industry Professional

BUILD A

SAFE, HIGH-PERFORMING

WORKFORCE WITH ALLIANCE SAFETY COUNCIL

Alliance creates, delivers and manages just-in-time training that meets compliance standards – available as computerbased courses in our labs, remotely proctored online learning or instructor-led, in-person training.

Reach out to discover how we can help you build a robust training matrix that can include orientations, site-specifics, OSHA training and our signature programs.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS & OFFERINGS

Mid-South OTI Education Center

The Mid-South OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center, a consortium between Alliance and LSU’s College of Engineering, delivers occupational safety and health classes.

COSS Series

The Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) program caters to new safety practitioners, while the Certificate for Occupational Safety Managers (COSM) program is for experienced safety professionals. Both can qualify as CEUs for safety professional certifications.

Safety Awareness Fundamentals (SAF)

The SAF suite of computer-based courses provides standardized, awareness-level training on 40+ safety topics.

FleetDefense®

High-risk driver behaviors within fleets can be specifically targeted with assessmentbased online learning modules and flexible data reporting.

HAZWOPER

24- and 40-hour courses include scenario-based lessons and handson, real-time air monitoring exercises.

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