Government Action Regulatory Changes
Regulatory Changes
Recent MEA Weekly Alert Updates
Posted: 3/5/10Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issues waivers from the Buy American requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009...
The waiver applies to specific ballasts and fluorescent lamps. Go to www1.eere.energy.gov/recovery/buy_american_provision.html the EERE website for more details.
Additional bills of interest for this week:
Lead certification for residential work on pre 1978 buildings (SF3293)...
Lead removal certification would be required for residential building contractors working on pre 1978 buildings. This bill would conform to Federal regulations going into effect on April 22, 2010. There is a limited exception available for electrical workers. Go to Subpart E—Residential Property Renovation for the full Federal regulation. Please look for additional interpretation of the new regulations in the upcoming MEA News.
Zero based budgeting required (SF2940)...
Would require each state department to use zero based budgeting when working up budgets for each biennium period.
Go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.asp for the full bills.
Construction Codes Advisory Council position opening...
Position opening for person engaged in the Heating and Ventilation Industry. Application forms may be found on the Secretary of State website at www.sos.state.mn.us or at the Office of the Secretary of State, Open Appointments, 180 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155-1299, or in person at Room 180 of the State Office Building.
Posted: 2/26/10
Legislature and governor in talks over bonding bill (HF2700/SF2360)... Discussions between the governor and the legislature over the bonding bill passed by the legislature. The governor has threatened to veto the bills as passed, which provide for $1 billion in construction projects, more than $300 million higher than the governor's proposal. Further discussions are scheduled for next week. Read the full bill.
Jim Vickerman and Pat Pariseau won't seek re-election... Jim Vickerman (DFL), representing Tracy, in southwestern Minnesota, and Pat Pariseau (IR) representing Farmington, both said they won't seek re-election to another term this fall.
ETN of MN indentured apprentice program approved for reimbursement through Veterans Affairs... Chapter 30, 32, 35, 1606 and 1607 veterans can use their GI Bill benefits for apprenticeship training and on-the-job training (OJT), if they are employed and are being trained for the job (must be in an indentured apprentice program). Read more (pdf).
Additional bills of interest for this week:
Creation of green energy programs (SF2720)... This bill would authorize the issuance of green energy revenue bonds; specify qualified green building and sustainable design projects design and eligibility requirements; providing for cities and counties on-site conservation and renewable energy improvements local assessments authority.
Requirement of contract performance guidelines, inspection for repairs and completion deadlines (SF2832)... This bill would require construction contracts to contain performance guidelines and would create timeframes to inspect and complete disputed completion items for certain construction projects.
Limit maximum amount of liability insurance required (SF2834)... This bill puts lower limits on state and local governments on how much liability insurance they can require on construction contracts.
Modification of current mechanics lien notification timeframe (SF2842)... This bill would extend time limit to serve mechanics lien notice from 45 days to 60 days.
Eliminate DOLI, DEED, and part of Commerce (SF2874)... This bill would downsize state government by eliminating DEED, DOLI and part of Commerce and set up a task force to determine need for various services.
Grandfather in master's of record for multiple companies (SF2803 companion bill to HF3026)... This bill would exempt those individuals who were masters of record for more than one contractor/company prior to October 1, 2008, from being limited to being master of record for only one contractor/company.
Federal Jobs Bill passes House and Senate...
The Federal Jobs Bill includes four components: a tax credit to employers who hire new workers; a provision giving small businesses more leeway to write off the cost of capital investments; the Build America Bonds, which would subsidize the borrowing costs of state and local governments; and a one-year extension of surface transportation authorization funding. House and Senate versions are now being compared. Read more.
Posted: 2/12/10
Satellite installers seek separate license... HF 2900/SF2522 would create a separate contractor's and individual license for satellite installers. Read the full bill.
Proposal to change definition of overtime from 48 to 40 hours in a week... Under HF2912 overtime would have to be paid to an employee working more than 40 hours in a work week unless the employee is covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Read the full bill.
2010 DOLI clean-up bill HF2781... The clean up bill contains the following proposed changes:
- No 60-day wait period to retake exams.
- Standardizes license fees in line with license fees that were released by the department in 2009.
- Standardizes late fees as equal to one half of the amount of the actual license renewal fee.
- Requires late fee if complete license renewal application including payment fee is not received by renewal date.
- Puts in statute that if person does not renew by renewal date they can not perform work for which that license is required.
Proposed changes to PLT license requirements... HF2595 would Change education requirements needed to sit for Power Limited Technician license by allowing completion of a cable installing training course approved by the state to count towards up to 12 months of on the job training. Read the full bill.
Senate passes its version of bonding bill... SF2360 a $1 billion bonding bill passed the senate. Read the full bill.
Length of breaks and lunch defined... SF2408 and HF2810 would change the requirement that employers provide "adequate" breaks and lunch time and set specific lengths of 15 minutes for a break and 30 minutes for lunch. Read the full bill.
Applications for Minnesota's new Residential Solar Electric and Solar Hot Water Rebates are now available... Rebates up to $10,000 will be available for qualifying solar installations at an applicant's primary residence. Read more.
Deadlines for passage of bills for the 2010 legislative session have been set... View the deadline dates.
Citizen input requested on how to improve way government provides services... Read more.
Follow MEA on Twitter... Go to www.twitter.com/MNElectricAssn and start following MEA on Twitter.
Posted: 2/5/10
House Bonding bill... The House has presented its bonding bill HF2700 which totals $1 billion for construction projects, more than $300 million higher than the Governor's proposal. Read the full bill.
The Building Jobs Coalition has offered a revised building jobs bill sponsored by Senator Metzen... The new bill retains a number of credits under SF 2078 but also adds a new provision: the small business investment tax credit (aka "angel investor" tax credit). Read the full bill.
The Building Jobs Coalition has put together a final version of its marketing brochure... The brochure outlines the need and proposes actions needed to jump start construction in Minnesota. See the brochure.
Additional new bills offered yesterday:
- HF2628...would require any contractor bidding on state funded projects to have a registered apprentice program in place. Read the full bill.
- HF2654...would reduce the current Electrical bond amount from $25,000 back to $5,000.
Legislation passed in 2009... Overview of and links to MN legislation passed in 2009. Read more (PDF).
Legislative session started February 4... The 2010 legislative session starts February 4. Once the legislative session starts the government action e-mail alerts will be sent out every week.Follow MEA on Twitter
Rules
- Design/Build, Manager at Risk and Job Order - A new law went into effect in 2005 allowing bids using design/build, manager at risk, and job order billing for certain projects through the University of Minnesota School system. Look for expansion in the use of job order, manager at risk, and design/build in projects for the future.
- Proposed amendment to Rule 5200.0390
- 2006 Law Changes.
- New Rules
- Rule 3800.3570 - Contractor license numbers required on vehicles
- Minneapolis Inspection - Effective October 3rd, Inspection now handled by Electrical Licensing and Inspection Unit.
Interpretations
- Solving Code Interpretation Disputes - See attached dispute process written by John Schultz.
- Power Limited Licensing Modifications - The bill enacted last session to resolve the licensing and scope of practice issues “once and for all,” will be revisited. Disputes still remain regarding who can do what work. The following bulletins attempt to clarify the scope of work that can be done by power limited technicians.
