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Construction Legislative Week In Review
From the Congressional Relations Staff
July 9, 1999
Volume 4, Issue 27

The Associated
General Contractors
of America
333 John Carlyle Street
Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-3118
(703) 837-5404 fax


Jeffrey D. Shoaf
Executive Director
Congressional Relations
shoafj@agc.org
202/383-2762

Joan Huntley LaVor
Director
AGC PAC
lavorj@agc.org
202/383-2761

Peter Loughlin
Director
Construction Markets
loughlip@agc.org
202/383-2766

Loren E. Sweatt
Director
Procurement and
Environment
sweattl@agc.org
202/383-2760

Phil Thoden
Director
Tax & Fiscal Affairs
thodenp@agc.org
202/383-2764

Patrick Wilson
Director
Human Resources & Labor
wilsonp@agc.org
202/383-2763
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

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