Public works contracting reform in New York State got a push forward recently when Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that creates a temporary advisory council to study the issue and recommend improvements to how the state engages with contractors.
The Construction Industry Public Contracting Advisory Council bill creates the 23-member temporary Construction Industry Advisory Council on Public Contracting Reform. Members of this board will include state legislators, regulators, construction contractors and subcontractors, labor, and other stakeholders.
The council will “analyze the many vexing contractual issues that negatively impact contractors and subcontractors working on public works projects,” according to a news release. It will then “identify solutions needed to reform New York State’s public contracting process, making it more equitable for the contractors and subcontractors working on public works projects.”
The council will study several issues including damages incurred by contractors, subcontractors, and other parties from delay in payments by project owners due to “no delay damages” clauses and unfair contractual notice provisions; substantial completion as defined in amended state finance law; retainage in public works contracts; and public works contracting issues affecting minority- and women-owned contractors and subcontractors.
Related Stories
| May 9, 2013
NSF Sustainability launches VOC emissions testing, certification for commercial furniture industry
New program offers sustainable certification and indoor air quality testing for commercial furniture makers.
| May 1, 2013
House bill would give OSHA more authority over state workplace-safety plans
A recently introduced U.S. House of Representatives bill would give the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) more authority over state workplace-safety plans and toughen penalties for companies that knowingly violate OSHA regulations.
| May 1, 2013
New commercial landlord disclosures go into effect in California in July
Two new landlord disclosure requirements become effective in California on July 1, 2013.
| May 1, 2013
New ASHRAE residential indoor air quality standard adds carbon monoxide alarm requirement
The new 2013 version of ASHRAE’s residential indoor air quality standard adds a requirement for carbon monoxide alarms.
| May 1, 2013
AAMA publishes standard for multipoint locking hardware for side-hinged doors
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently published the first North America standard for multipoint locking hardware for side-hinged door systems.
| Apr 24, 2013
‘W visa’ program could hamper construction industry's growth
The Senate’s bipartisan immigration reform proposal will provide interim legal status to some 11 million undocumented people.
| Apr 24, 2013
North Carolina bill would ban green rating systems that put state lumber industry at disadvantage
North Carolina lawmakers have introduced state legislation that would restrict the use of national green building rating programs, including LEED, on public projects.
| Apr 24, 2013
BOMA’s 360 Performance Program approaches 600 building designees
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International conferred the BOMA 360 Performance Program® designation upon 44 properties in major commercial real estate markets across the U.S. in the first quarter of 2013.
| Apr 24, 2013
New Mexico court strikes down move to repeal energy codes
The New Mexico State Court of Appeals struck down an attempt to repeal energy-efficient building codes.
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.