2012 Legislative Session in Full Swing

The 2012 legislative session started on January 23rd and is off to a fast start. With 2012 being a major election year, this should prove to be a very interesting session. There are a number of issues that will impact the construction industry this year and a coalition between the UMCA and NECA will work aggressively to represent the interest of all subcontractors. Presently, we are working/tracking the following issues;

• HB-30 Representative J. Peterson-Employment Insurance Amendments, this bill modifies the Employment Security Act by reducing the maximum unemployment insurance contribution rate for an employer from 9% to 7% beginning in calendar year 2012 and capping the social unemployment insurance contribution rate for all employers at 0.4% for calendar year 2012 only.

• HB-77 Representative Sandstrom-Construction Procurement Using Construction, This bill amends provisions of the Utah Code relating to procurements in excess of $80,000 by the Division of Facilities Construction and Management, or a local school board, that involve contracting with a construction manager/general contractor by using a request for proposal.

• HB-215 Representative Morely-Labor Related Amendments, This bill modifies the provisions of Labor in General and the Utah Labor Code to correct language regarding the issuance of worker’s compensation waivers, and to modify standard of proof for rebutting the presumption of employee status from clear and convincing evidence to preponderance of the evidence under certain circumstances.

• SB-28 Senator Valentine-State Construction Code Amendments, This bill modifies the State Construction Code by updating the National Electric Code, International Building Code, International Plumbing Code and adopting local amendments.

• SB-92 Senator Mayne-Department of Commerece License Related, This bill modified provisions related to occupational and professional licensing by the Department of Commerce in construction trades re: ownership reporting requirements for unincorporated entities.

• SB-93 Senator Jenkins-School Construction Revisions, This bill modifies provisions in the Utah Code relating to school construction contracts changing the max. amount of retention from 10% to 5%.

It’s still early in the legislative process and we anticipate this list to more than double in size. If you have a special interest in the legislative process and would like to be more involved please contact Robert Bergman. If you would like to see actual copies of these bills please go to http://le.utah.gov/session/2012/bills.htm
 

Get Informed! UMCA Presents Chilled Beam Systems and Zero Energy Buildings

The UMCA 2012 Education Series continues on Thursday, February 23, 2012 with a seminar presented by Tom Colvin of Colvin Engineering.  The seminar will review the newest trends in chilled beam buildings and zero-energy buildings.  Attend this seminar to become familiar with the latest industry trends.  The seminar will be held at the Utah Career Center from 12:00pm-2:00pm.  Lunch will be served at the event, and the seminar is free to all UMCA members.  To register to attend the course,  please download the registration form here.  The seminar will earn you 2 Professional Credit Hours for both mechanical contractors and plumbers towards your next license renewal cycle.

Western Mechanical Conference Registration Closes This Month

Join UMCA President Patrick Lynch as he welcomes the leaders from the Western States pipe trades and MCA chapters  March 28-30, 2012 in Palm Springs, California.  Registration for the Western Mechanical Conference closes on February 24th.  The conference will be held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa.  Registration materials are available at http://westernmechanical.org/ and to check out the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, please visit http://www.renaissanceesmeralda.com.

Utah Career Center Recognizes Outstanding Performance

The Trustees of the Utah Career Center recently recognized some twenty-seven apprentices for their outstanding achievement. Cash awards were given to those apprentices who had a 4.0 GPA, Perfect Attendance, and for those achieving both a 4.0 and Perfect Attendance. The Trustees noted that for years only the poor performers and those struggling to stay in the program were recognized with a disciplinary meeting with the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. However, we have a lot of great apprentices who work hard and do what’s expected. The UMCA would like to recognize and congratulate the following apprentices;

Journeyman Training Classes Available

The Utah Career Center will be hosting a series of Journeyman Training Classes and will be scheduled based on demand. Please note that all plumbers will be required to attend a minimum of 12 hours by November 30, 2012 in order to renew their state plumbing license.  DOPL requires a minimum of 8 hours core education credit and the remaining 4 hours may be core or professional education credit. A list of the classes is located below, journeymen are encouraged to sign up and get some additional training and skill enhancement in addition to DOPL continuing education credit hours.  Please remind your UA employees of these opportunities and encourage their participation. The career center is located at 640 North Billy Mitchell Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 and the classes are offered free of charge.  Please contact the center with any questions at 801.295.6198. 

Challenging the Status Quo by Matt Kennedy, FMI Quarterly

Ask most leaders, “Do you want your people to be entrepreneurial,” and it will be followed with a resounding “yes.”  Then ask them to define what being entrepreneurial is and oftentimes the question will be followed by a deafening silence or a 20-minute declamation.  Leaders want their people to be entrepreneurial - they expect it, demand it, but just cannot describe what it should look like.  FMI recently spoke with two exceptional leaders at Zurich North America Construction about how they define entrepreneurialism, encourage it and, by understanding risk, temper it.  Seth Hausman is head of Operations and Profit Management and Karen Schwartzkopf is a senior vice president of Zurich.  See article here.