Legal/Regulation

  • A group of construction workers lined up on a construction jobsite.
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    Courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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    Opinion

    ICE raids worsen construction’s labor shortage. Contractors must respond.

    I-9 audits, tapping labor groups and cross-training existing employees can help builders stay on track, a construction accountant writes.

    By Chris Coleman • Aug. 7, 2025
  • Closeup of a handshake with architectural drawings in the background.
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    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How AI can be used in construction bidding, negotiation

    Artificial intelligence offers contractors new ways to remain competitive and profitable before projects even start, writes a consultant.

    By Brian Kassalen • Aug. 6, 2025
  • Aerial view of a theme park grounds.
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    Courtesy of Mansion Entertainment Group
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    Suit alleges fraud on Oklahoma’s $2.5B Disney-sized theme park

    The American Heartland project was supposed to draw thousands to Vinita, but nothing has been built besides a fence and gravel road, per a new lawsuit.

    By • Aug. 1, 2025
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    Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive
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    Column // The Dotted Line

    How and why to conduct a DEI audit in construction

    The industry has been working to improve diversity, but that could also bring scrutiny from Washington. Here’s how to walk the line.

    By • July 29, 2025
  • Man holds sign stating "Paid sick days workers in action" during rally for paid sick leave bill
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    With the hidden costs of sick days, workers say they lie about taking time off

    A culture of secrecy around mental health at work can lead workers to exaggerate physical symptoms to justify taking time off, a recent report found.

    By Carolyn Crist • July 24, 2025
  • A view of the exterior of the Department of Labor building.
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Former Amazon exec, Biden official talk OSHA changes

    Corporate safety attorney Heather MacDougall and the former deputy assistant secretary of OSHA offered details at the recent ASSP 2025 Conference + Expo.

    By • July 24, 2025
  • President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House on July 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump releases AI action plan targeting regulatory ‘red tape’

    The plan states that artificial intelligence-related federal funding should not go to states with burdensome rules on the technology.

    By Alexei Alexis • July 24, 2025
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom motions from behind a podium.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    From red tape to green light: How California’s CEQA reforms will speed up projects

    Two new laws, which went into effect at the end of June, should fast track infill and other high-priority projects, writes a land use and environmental policy attorney.

    By William Sloan • July 23, 2025
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stands at a podium, with sign reading "America is building again."
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    White House announces infrastructure priorities, permit updates

    Following a Surface Transportation Reauthorization hearing last week, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy also unveiled $488 million in transportation grants.

    By • July 21, 2025
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    Bill_Vorasate via Getty Images
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    DOE to drop accessibility requirement for buildings receiving federal funds

    Federal accessibility standards won’t apply to buildings using U.S. Energy Department funds for energy efficiency or other uses under a rule rescission taking effect soon.

    By Robert Freedman • July 18, 2025
  • A blue clipboard with a white paper that says "OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration," and protective gear lying above it.
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    designer491 for iStock via Getty Images
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    How a SeaWorld ruling could impact construction safety

    OSHA wants to narrow its General Duties Clause for athletic and entertainment occupations, leaving the door open for other industries.

    By • July 16, 2025
  • A pure white building looms in the foreground around green foliage and a bright blue sky.
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    FrozenShutter via Getty Images
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    California walks back environmental law for housing, advanced manufacturing

    The changes to the California Environmental Quality Act could greatly speed up the issuance of building permits.

    By • July 8, 2025
  • The Pentagon is seen from a flight taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Defense Department simplifies NEPA reviews

    The move announced June 30 is part of a government-wide deregulatory effort from the Trump administration to speed up infrastructure construction.

    By • July 2, 2025
  • Aerial view of construction work on the Bull Run Filtration Project in Oregon.
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    Courtesy of Portland Water Bureau
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    Construction restarts on $2.1B Portland water plant

    The Bull Run Filtration Project in Oregon has been paused since February due to a legal fight with area residents.

    By • July 1, 2025
  • A rendering of a large liquefied natural gas plant that spreads along a riverbed. Two ships are docked in the left side of the photo at the docks.
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    Permission granted by Bechtel
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    Project Wins

    Bechtel nabs $9B more Rio Grande LNG work

    The Reston, Virginia-based contractor has been tapped for trains 4 and 5 of the plant in Brownsville, Texas, where it is already building Phase 1 of the project.

    By • June 30, 2025
  • Scaffold workmen on high rise facade
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    JayLazarin via Getty Images
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    Contractors back New York’s Scaffold Law update

    Liability insurance premiums in New York generally run about 30% higher than in other states due to the legislation, builders say.

    By • June 26, 2025
  • A woman speaks into a microphone during a hearing in front of Congress.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Employers should regularly check E-Verify for authorization status changes, DHS warns

    The Trump administration recently revoked work authorization status for more than half a million noncitizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

    By Emilie Shumway • June 25, 2025
  • An aerial view of the Shotwick Solar Energy Park on February 25, 2025 in Deeside, Wales.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    Senate Finance Committee reduces House IRA cuts, but few changes for wind and solar

    Wind and solar projects must begin construction by the end of 2025 to qualify for the Inflation Reduction Act’s full 45Y and 48E tax credits in the Finance Committee's proposed budget bill.

    By Diana DiGangi • June 24, 2025
  • Aerial view of a cable-stayed bridge with two decks.
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    Courtesy of Brent Spence Bridge Corridor
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    DBEs kept out of Brent Spence Bridge project, lawsuit says

    The suit alleges that the Walsh Kokosing joint venture circumvented federal requirements on the Cincinnati-area span.

    By • June 24, 2025
  • A skyline shot of Austin, Texas, with its skyscrapers, and with the Texas State Capitol building in view.
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    adamkaz via Getty Images
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    Municipalities tap AI for permitting

    Los Angeles and Austin are using the tech to cleave wait times, while Honolulu promises big upgrades and faster responses.

    By • June 18, 2025
  • A security scanner extracts the code of a computer virus from a string of binary code (1s and 0s).
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    Hailshadow via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Why cybersecurity matters for construction

    As the building industry digitizes, cyber hygiene, training and insurance are critical, a construction attorney writes.

    By Jason Kosek • June 17, 2025
  • Aerial view of flooded homes following Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    New ASCE codes aim to provide vital flood protection

    The updated standards mark a major shift in approach for design and construction in flood hazard areas, according to a floodplain manager.

    By Tom Little • June 13, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    PLA mandate to stay, with exemptions: OMB

    The Trump administration said that it supports the use of project labor agreements on federal construction projects when they are “practicable and cost effective.”

    By • June 13, 2025
  • A woman sitting in front of a microphone and speaking.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    OSHA’s proposed cuts won’t affect enforcement: DOL chief

    A smaller budget will “modernize and streamline” the department, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a recent House committee hearing.

    By • June 12, 2025
  • Aerial view of the Gross Reservoir Dam in Denver, Colorado.
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    Courtesy of Denver Water
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    How climate modeling, AI can power innovative building

    Contractors must understand the legal landscape in order to manage risk when implementing new materials, data or processes, panelists at the Building Innovation 2025 conference said.

    By • June 10, 2025