Blacklisting
Regulations to Appear in Federal Register
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council is
expected to officially propose the Administration's
blacklisting regulations in the Federal Register Friday,
July 9, 1999. These regulations will amend the
contractor responsibility determination on federal
contracts to allow a contracting officer to base
decisions on rumors and allegations. The proposal also
prevents contractors from receiving reimbursement for
specific labor relations activities.
Death Tax Relief Expected in House Tax Bill:
Next Wednesday, the House Ways and Means
Committee will consider an $850 billion dollar tax
package that will include death tax relief, a reduction
in the capital gains tax, and a significant portion of
the Community Revitalization Act.
Senate to Debate Health Care Next Week:
The Senate, under a bipartisian agreement, will
debate S. 1256 " the Patients'; Bill of Rights." A final
vote on the legislation is scheduled for Thursday. AGC
opposes S. 1256 because it will increase health care
costs and extend liability to health care plans (and, in
some cases, even to employers).
Abandoned Mine Lands Appropriations Increase:
The House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
authorized an increase of $11 million in state grants to
the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program. This brings the
total amount allocated to the AML program for FY 2000 to
$196 million. AGC testified before the House Interior
Appropriations Subcommittee in April urging an increase
in AML funding.
Action Requested
on Clean Air Act: Please write or call your
Members of Congress urging them to cosponsor legislation
that would support legislation to make the Clean Air Act
compatible with highway planning and construction
schedules. A draft letter and talking points are
available 
here.
(Please note: This
is a Member's Only document)
Confusing and Unfair Rules Could Exonerate
Violators: Rep. George Gekas (R-PA) recently
proposed a bill (the "Regulatory Fair Warning Act," H.R.
881) which would protect business owners and managers
from fines and sanctions if the rules in question were
not published or clearly articulated. Also, the bill
would stop actions if the violator was relying on bad
information provided by the federal agency or its
representatives. AGC member companies would benefit from
this important reform of the existing Administrative
Procedure Act by ensuring that contractors will be
protected if they can demonstrate they made a good faith
effort to learn and
