Regulatory Round-Up: A Review of Emerging Issues
Impacting A/E Firms
Duty to Defend Bill Passes Wisconsin House
Assembly Bill 514, ACEC-Wisconsin’s bill regulating Indemnification and Duty to Defend provisions in public contracts, passed the Wisconsin Assembly on Nov. 14, 2023.
The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting final action in the House.
Property Damage Expanded to Include Construction Defects in Illinois
The Illinois Supreme Court found in December that property damage occurring as a result of defective construction materials falls under the coverage of general liability insurance. AGC has more details.
Mixed Construction Outlook for 2024 Reports AGC
The Associated General Contractors released a new survey finding contractors have mixed feelings about the year ahead. Contractors said that they are dealing with significant labor shortages and were most optimistic about public sector projects. They expect less demand for private sector projects such as multi-family real estate, manufacturing, retail and private office construction.
Powerful AI Still Needs Quality Checks
Anand Stephen’s Op-Ed in Engineer News Record takes a look at the ever-growing role of Artificial Intelligence in civil engineering. AI is a powerful tool, but still requires the oversight of a qualified design professional.
Construction Fatalities Rose in 2022 – BLS
Construction fatalities increased in 2022 according to a new analysis released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The construction industry increased 11 percent in 2022 from 12.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2021 to 13 in 2022 most fatalities caused by falls, trips and slips.
Architecture Billings Decline for 4th Straight Month
The American Institute of Architects released a new report showing a decline in billings again during the month of November. It was the seventh month in 2023 that showed a decline.
Court Challenges to New PLA Rules
The Associated Builders and Contractors Association has filed court challenges to the Biden Administration’s newly adopted rule requiring project labor agreements on federal projects of $25 million or more. ACEC was successful in securing an exemption for A/E services.
Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge Center of Insurance Dispute
Concrete voids and honey combing necessitated the demolition and reconstruction of Washington D.C.’s Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. That is now the focus of a legal dispute set to go to court this year. This is the first time that a court is hearing a case on builders’ risk policy exclusions. Engineering News Record has the details.
Cybersecurity Insurance Rates Even Out
Following two years of steep increases, rates for cyber security insurance seem to have stabilized according to new information published by Engineering News Record. Better company security measures are partially responsible for the stabilization.
ACEC Releases 2023 Q4 Engineering Business Sentiment Study
ACEC has released its Engineering Business Sentiment Study for the 4th Quarter of 2023. The results are largely positive but notes that firms are feeling slightly less positive about their finances with small firms leading the decline.
ACEC Looks at 2024 Government Affairs
Steve Hall, ACEC Executive VP of Government Affairs takes a look at 2024 and handicaps the year ahead.
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