ABC Priority Bills this 89th Legislative Session
RE-FILE: PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS (SB 936 - 2023)
This legislation expands on previously passed legislation by prohibiting PLAs on projects involving local governmental funding (school, county, city, emergency services districts, etc.).
RE-FILE: ABILITY TO ASSIGN TRUST FUND CLAIMS (HB 1864 - 2023)
Courts have recently held that general contractors or subcontractors who pay their subcontractor cannot pursue the individuals who stole the money and refused to pay their subcontractors and suppliers. A simple change in the trust fund statute (Property Code 162) will allow general contractors and subcontractors to get assignments of the rights of the parties they have to pay when they pay the second time ( the first payment was stolen).
RE-FILE: ACCRUAL DATE (HB 3221 - 2021)
Closes a loophole in the noticing requirement in the Right to Repair Statute.
NEW: REHAB TAX
Currently a tax for renovating or rehabbing a building (similar to sales tax). Does not apply to residential.
RE-FILE: INCREASE CHANGE ORDER LIMIT (HB 2854 - 2023)
Section 271.060 of the Local Government Code contains the procedures for how a governing body may approve change orders. The code states that any contract over $1 Million may not be increased by more than 25 percent. With the current cost increases due to inflation and labor challenges, the $1 million dollar cap is too low and has caused some unintended consequences.
RE-FILE: INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE (HB 2689 - 2023)
Similar to HB 3803 filed during the 87(R) legislative session, this bill would declare the Internatinoal Plumbing Code (IPC) as the sole plumbing code governing construction in Texas. Currently the state operates under 2 codes, which has led to confusion as well as some challenges. Nearly every municipality and county in Texas utilize the International Plumbing Code for all requirements, however, there are still about 8 cities that still operate using the Uniform Code including Austin, Scherzo, Alpine, and several large MUDs in Houston. ABC supported the last two versions of this bill through a coalition with the International Code Council.
NEW: RIGHT TO REPAIR V.3
The proposed changes include incorporating infrastructure into the previous Right to Repair bill and modifying the definition of critical infrastructure. Additionally, the changes could potentially apply the right to repair to certain projects that exceed a specific size threshold.
Political Affairs Committee (PAC)
The Political Affairs Committee analyzes political environment in the chapter area and recommends political candidates for endorsement and/or financial support; obtains contributions from chapter members for ABC PAC; provides information to members on relevant political matters and publishes voter guides during election years.
The Legislative Committee plans and recommends proactive legislative policies and programs, actively participates in the legislative action process, monitors state and local legislative activities, and activates chapter response mechanisms. The Legal Rights and Strategy portion of the committee monitors labor relations, cases and union activities, observes and reports trends, makes recommendations to the Board, and plans and executes timely informational sessions for members.
The Political Action Committee analyzes the political environment in the Chapter's area and recommends financial support for political candidates. The Committee obtains contributions from Chapter members, provides information to members on relevant political matters, and publishes voter guides during election cycles.
Interested in joining one of these committees to collaborate on the political advocacy initiatives for our members? Contact us at admin@abctcb.org.
Want to contribute to PAC? (personal funds allowed only)
Per Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations, a corporate member company of ABC must first provide ABC PAC with prior authorization before any individual in its restricted class can contribute or be solicited.
Free Enterprise Alliance (FEA)
The Free Enterprise Alliance (FEA) is the action arm for small businesses, entrepreneurs and advocates of limited government, open and fair competition, and the economically sound principles upon which America was built.
Founded by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the Free Enterprise Alliance’s mission is to educate ABC members and their employees, elected officials, and the public about the issues important to open competition in America. At the heart of the Free Enterprise Alliance’s mission is the belief that while we need government for common sense regulations, the scales have tipped too far in favor of government intrusion.
Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members. Based on the merit shop philosophy, we help our members develop people, win work and deliver work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. Learn more by visiting www.abc.org.
Who We Are
Founded in 2001, FEA, a program of Associated Builders and Contractors, is responsible for the association’s issue advocacy.
What We Do
FEA is an entity within Associated Builders and Contractors Inc., which is a trade association accorded 501(c)6 status by the Internal Revenue Service.
How To Contribute
FEA can accept funds from any member, including corporations. All contributions are voluntary and are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. FEA is an entity of the Associated Builders and Contractors.
Direct Contributions: FEA can accept both personal and corporate donations from ABC members.
ABC Chapter Contributions: ABC state chapters play a major role in the FEA. ABC members can support FEA through their annual membership renewal. Members can contact their local chapter president at admin@abctcb.org or email feainfo@abc.org.
