As your 2012 Chairman of the Board, there is certainly one thing that I am extremely proud of – our presence in Montgomery.  Over the last three years, our association has become the voice of the construction industry in Montgomery. Last year alone, ABC of Alabama attended 80 plus committee meetings and had staff on the ground in Montgomery every single day of Session. But as you are well aware, last year is history.

The week after 2011’s legislative session ended, ABC of Alabama launched a 2012 questionnaire to start the plans for the priorities this year. The survey was digested by your ABC leadership. In conclusion, we have both our offensive and defensive plans in place.

As Chairman of the Board, I do need one thing from you – input.  Once a week, you will receive our Legislative Lobbying Brief. It has a new look, new name and will be more concise and to the point. Please periodically read this report to make sure we are truly being your voice. For those of you who would like to receive more frequent updates, our President and lobbyist, Jay Reed will be tweeting more frequent happenings when movement occurs on issues facing our industry. Follow Jay on Twitter @ABCofAlabama

Lastly, I must thank Tim Hightower of Southern Carpet & Hardwood for his efforts in ensuring we stay on track with our legislative issues. He gives so much of his personal time and for that ABC is better. Also, ABC of Alabama and ABC North Alabama are now one collective legislative voice. In a formal agreement, both ABC chapters in Alabama have become one on our legislative agenda. This joint approach truly seals the fact “ABC is the voice of the construction industry in Alabama”.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your 2012 Chairman of the Board.

Geoff Golden

CM at Risk
ABC of Alabama is about a week away from a final draft of our Construction Management at Risk legislation. Your Executive Committee will then review that bill and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for our next step. Please contact Jay@abc-alabama.org with any questions or comments you have regarding this subject.

Workers Comp
In a partnership with Representative Paul DeMarco, ABC of Alabama is reviewing revisions to Work Comp laws in Alabama. The end goal here is to ensure that effective yet reasonable Workers Comp laws are on the books. The expense of Workers Comp coverage is a major budget item for our members and any measures to ensure fairness in Workers Comp claims is ABC’s business.

Immigration
Currently we are awaiting a revision from Speaker Mike Hubbard and hope that it is ready for the Executive Committee to review by February 10. ABC of Alabama has adopted a position paper.

The Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute (ACRI)
ACRI was established in 2009 to ensure adequate funding to recruit Alabama workers to the Alabama construction industries.  This legislation will ensure continuation of this program and place ACRI under the Sunset Review Committee process. (Also known as Go Build)

Sales/Use Tax
Pursue legislation that provides the gross proceeds of the sale of certain personal property to a contractor, which said property, is to be incorporated into realty pursuant to a contract with Federal, State, County, Municipalities or Education Institutes, shall be exempt from all State and Local sales and use taxes.  Simply reinstate the process as it was prior 2004.

Jefferson County
ABC of Alabama will monitor movement regarding reinstating the Occupational Tax.

Electrical Subcontractor / Alarm Legislation
Draft legislation is surfacing that would affect contractors.

Anti-Indemnity
Reviewing provisions that would not allow risk shifting from the responsible party to parties that are not responsible via contract documents that arbitrarily assign that risk to one group while blindly protecting a responsible specific group.

Local Legislation
ABC of Alabama monitors local legislation to ensure issues involving certain cities or counties are addressed where we have a concentration of members.

• ABC President & Legislative Chairman reviewing 70 plus pre-filed bills
• Electrical Subs weighing in on several concerns ABC sees for 2012
• ABC friend Senator Jabo Waggoner to chair powerful Rules Committee
• Governor Bentley’s Roads and Bridges proposal gets somewhat cold reception
• Redistricting talks most likely late in session
• Senator Linda Coleman drops in electrical bill
• Possible alarm legislation to be closely monitored by ABC
• Senator Scott Beason launches campaign against Congressman Spencer Bachus for Congressional District 6
• ABC of Alabama and ABC National still unclear on Presidential race favorites
• Governor Bentley’s budget talks to take front row for Session 2012.