Legislative Affairs
Via AGC/VT Fastfax,and the monthly Build Board magazine, the members of the Vermont Chapter are notified of pending legislation with recommended action when necessary, actions and policies of federal agencies, and national developments affecting the construction industry.
Legislative News
Legislative Update; week 3
Senate Committee presses Commissioner of Labor for Single Definition of Independent Contractor
The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs looked at bill S.146, a bill that would require the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor to formulate a new, single definition of independent contractor for the purpose of workers compensation and unemployment compensation statutes. Bill sponsor Sen. Peter Galbraith, D-Windham, told the committee that a single definition, along with a workable test for determining independent contractor status, is necessary to provide clarity to employers and should result in greater compliance. Although the committee is unlikely to endorse such a broad delegation of authority to the commissioner, it intends to spend time in the coming weeks examining the definition of independent contractor.
The committee also took testimony this week on a draft bill that proposes a number of small changes to the workers compensation and unemployment compensation statutes. Among other provisions, the bill would penalize employers for non-compliance with unemployment compensation requirements by prohibiting them from contracting with the state for up to three years following a determination of non-compliance. The bill also provides new measures to prevent retaliation against employees who lodge complaints with the Department of Labor regarding violations of labor statutes. Additionally, the bill grants the Department of Labor new authority to enter and inspect work sites to investigate alleged violations of those laws.
The Associated General Contractors met with the Commissioner of Labor and other organizations to encourage DOL to utilize a registry for Independent Contractors and to require them to carry workers compensation just like general and subcontractors are required to carry. We are hoping over the next few weeks that we are able to come to an agreement with the commissioner and other groups and push forward with this issue finally.
Healthcare exchange discussion and Governor Shumlins recommendations
The House Health Care Committee continues to educate themselves on the implementation of the federally mandated Health Care Exchange. The exchange is a marketplace for purchasing insurance which is anticipated to begin in 2014. There still are many questions in regards to the exchange and Governor Shumlins administration presented their recommendations for outstanding questions on this implementation including a recommendation that all businesses with 100 or fewer employees access the Exchange. There is still unanswered questions about the exclusion of association plans and limitations to insurance products being sold outside of the Exchange, along with the need to discuss the essential health benefit package that will be offered and whether or not bronze and catastrophic plans will be sold.
Governor Shumlins Administration recommendations for the implementation of the Exchange through H.559 which focuses on several areas that will impact the purchasing of insurance in 2014. Their recommendations are as follows: " To force small businesses into an uncertain market by requiring employers with 100 or less employees to purchase on the Exchange " The individual and small group market be merged into one risk pool which will likely increasing costs on businesses " Restricting plans to only the Exchange which, and not outside this market, allowing fewer options for businesses
There are still many areas that need to be addressed which includes the benefit package and whether or not the bronze level of insurance allowed under federal law will be available to those purchasing insurance on the Vermont Exchange. This bronze level would allow for more options including the popular Health Savings Accounts. Answers are still needed on many questions which AGC/VT will continue to monitor and educate our members.
Committee Considers Bill to Allow for Workers Compensation Debit Card Payments
The House Commerce Committee took testimony this week on a bill, H.552, that would allow workers compensation carriers to make temporary payments to claimants by debit cards. The process would be voluntary for claimants and transaction charges would be limited. The bill is modeled after a payroll card bill that was passed by the legislature several years ago.
The bill has strong support within the committee. Members have requested additional information about the fees that might be imposed. Despite some misgivings about the bill by organized labor, the committee is likely to pass the bill within the next few weeks.
Date Posted: January 23, 2012
Previous Stories
Legislative Update, week ending Jan. 13, 2012
Date Posted: January 13, 2012
2011 legislative summary
Date Posted: May 19, 2011
Legislative Update on May 2, 2011
Date Posted: May 02, 2011
Public Hearing on Health Care Proposal
Date Posted: March 09, 2011
Health Care Public Hearing...
Date Posted: March 09, 2011
Legislative Update, week ending Feb. 4th
Date Posted: February 05, 2011
Vermont Employer Day....
Join us for lunch with the Governor and Lt. Governor and your legislator on Feb. 17, 2011...
Date Posted: January 20, 2011
Week two of 2011 Legislative Session
Date Posted: January 18, 2011
Week one of 2011 Legislative Session
Date Posted: January 18, 2011
Changes to the Unemployment Benefits
There are specific changes to the benefit for those who are considered "seasonal workers". Please see information on the "Variable Duration" below....
Date Posted: May 06, 2010
Legislative Update... PLA and spending measures...
Included in this weeks update is the Transportation Funding Bill, the 2011 State Budget, Miscellaneous Tax Bill, and an update on the Project Labor Agreement on the Lake Champlain Bridge....
Date Posted: March 29, 2010
Week nine...
Misclassification and Electrical Licensing required....
Date Posted: March 15, 2010
Legislative Breakfast with Lamoille, Washington, and Orange County Senators and Representatives
Are you interested in voicing your concerns and interests with your legislators? If so, join The Associated General Contractors of Vermont for breakfast with your legislators...
Date Posted: March 12, 2010
week eight with a week off...
The legislators were busy trying to get as many bills addressed as possible prior to taking a week off to attend town meeting.
Issues in this article include manditory sick leave and closing Vermont Yankee....
Date Posted: February 28, 2010
Legislative Breakfast with Rutland, Bennington and Addison County Senators and Representatives
Are you interested in voicing your opinions and concerns about what your legislators are doing in Montpelier?
If so, join us for breakfast on March 22, 2010 in Rutland...
Date Posted: February 23, 2010
Week seven.... more mandates possible?
House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee wants to mandate paid time off for all employees....
Date Posted: February 22, 2010
Weeks Five and Six Heating up Under the Dome...
The Associated General Contractors testified against the State of Vermont and The State of New York requiring a Project Labor Agreement on the Lake Champlain Bridge....
Date Posted: February 15, 2010
Week Four of the 2010 Legislative Session
Date Posted: February 02, 2010
Associated General Contractors Legislative Update
Week 3 January 22, 2010
Date Posted: January 25, 2010
Week one of Legislative Session
January 11, 2010 weekly update for the Associated General Contractors of Vermont...
Date Posted: January 25, 2010
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Date Posted: November 08, 2007
