Legal/Regulation
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FTA seeks to eliminate environmental criteria from capital investment grant guidelines
The Federal Transit Administration requests public comment on updated guidance that would remove the “social cost of carbon” calculation and make broader changes to the multibillion-dollar program.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 26, 2025 -
Column // The Dotted Line
Who is liable when a ‘borrowed’ construction worker gets hurt?
Temps and subs can help fill vital gaps on construction projects, but they create layers of liability that can be costly if left unaddressed.
By Keith Loria • Aug. 26, 2025 -
Workers sue 2 contractors over Legionnaires’ outbreak in NYC
Two construction workers filed suit against Skanska and Rising Sun Construction, alleging they failed to abate the deadly bacteria on jobsites in Harlem.
By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 25, 2025 -
Opinion
3 DEI approaches employers must reconsider to avoid federal ire
The principles set forth in a recent DOJ memo are likely to be applied by the EEOC to all employers under Title VII, attorney Jonathan Segal writes.
By Jonathan Segal • Aug. 25, 2025 -
Opinion
Why we need to rethink RFPs in construction
Too often, this “request” draws the legal battle lines of a project early on. For owners and GCs to win, they need to become partners instead, writes Compass Datacenters’ Nancy Novak.
By Nancy Novak • Aug. 18, 2025 -
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 -
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 -
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 Julie Strupp • Aug. 1, 2025 -
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 Joe Bousquin • July 29, 2025 -
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 -
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 Zachary Phillips • July 24, 2025 -
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 -
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 -
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 Julie Strupp • July 21, 2025 -
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 -
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 Zachary Phillips • July 16, 2025 -
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 Matthew Thibault • July 8, 2025 -
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 Julie Strupp • July 2, 2025 -
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 Julie Strupp • July 1, 2025 -
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 Matthew Thibault • June 30, 2025 -
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 Sebastian Obando • June 26, 2025 -
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 -
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 -
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 Julie Strupp • June 24, 2025 -
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 Matthew Thibault • June 18, 2025