The Legislature has adjourned for two weeks for Spring Break, They are scheduled to

reconvene on the 31st. That is the plan for now. As you know things are changing on a

daily basis. The lawmakers have met for 13 days and that is nearly half of their allotted

time.

Issues that AGC is monitoring:

SB23 is the Sunset Bill for your licensing board; it will continue the board until 2023. The

bill has passed both houses and awaits the Governor’s signature.

HB287 would remove the requirement for your licensing board to transfer their

unencumbered funds to the State General fund at the end of the fiscal year. This bill is out

of committee in the House.

HB300 would create a judicial review board to hear complaints of discrimination against

licensing boards. We will oppose this attempt to create another unneeded state agency. It

has not moved since its introduction.

SB126 deals with design professionals and indemnification. There is much work being

done on this legislation. There is a possibility that there could be a substitution or an

entirely new bill. AGC is opposed to this legislation in its current form. It has cleared the

Senate committee but for now it is on hold.

SB178 this bill would allow an awarding authority to negotiate with the lowest responsible

and responsive bidder when all bids received exceed the funding available to the

awarding authority for the contract. Provided that the awarding authority can document the

shortage of funding, that time is of the essence, and that the negotiated changes are in the

public interest and do not materially alter the scope and nature of the project. This bill has

been amended to apply only to projects at four-year institutions of higher education. This

has cleared committee and is on the regular order calendar.

SB242 is legislation that AGC will be supporting; it will raise one billion dollars in bonds

authorized to be issued for capital improvement for public schools, community colleges

and other colleges. This would be a great opportunity for our members that do school and

college work.

SB259 This bill would prohibit a public works contract or subcontract for roads and bridges

from containing a provision requiring a party to indemnify another entity for damages

caused by the conduct of the other party. AGC will support this legislation.

And finally, Senate Joint Resolution SJR18. This resolution recognizes and congratulates

the Alabama AGC on its 100th Anniversary has passed both houses and has been

enrolled.

Until next time. . . . . . .

Chris Williams

Director, Governmental Relations