The Flasher Barricade Association has been serving the traffic control industry since 1962. See a full list of members. |
 |
 |
NEWS OF INTEREST
FBA November Meeting, Vendor Show and Memorial Golf Tournament
NOVEMBER 3-4, 2016
DoubleTree Santa Ana-Orange County Airport
201 E. MacArthur Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(714) 825-3333 reservations
(800) 222-TREE
RATE: $139 per night (mention FBA when making reservations)
Includes discounted parking and free in-room high speed internet.
Deadline: Wednesday, October 19, 2016
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD
Board of Directors Meeting - 11:30am
General Membership Meeting - 1pm
VENDOR SET-UP - 1pm
VENDOR MEETING - (VERY IMPORTANT!) - 4pm
VENDOR SHOW - 5:30pm - 9:30pm including prizes, raffles,
open bar, hors d' ourves, and much more!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
MEMORIAL Golf Tournment
Tustin Ranch Golf Club (see registration form)
DOWNLOAD NOVEMBER MEETING NOTICE, GOLF REGISTRATION AND VENDOR REGISTRATION
HAVE A QUESTION? EMAIL US AT: info@flasherbarricade.com
_____________________________________________________________________________
Highlights of Bills Still Moving
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- July 14, 2016
Also In This Update
- Caltrans Releases Long-Range Transportation Plan Update
- Local Voices Unwelcome as State Promotes Affordable Housing
- UPDATED: San Diego Paid Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance Effective July 11, 2016
- It Will Take New Reservoirs to Meet State’s Growing Water Needs
- CAL OSHA Plans to Adopt New Respirable Crystalline Silica Regulations
As the Legislature enjoys their summer recess (returning August 1st), this is a great time to review highlights of some important bills that are still moving through the legislative process:
AB 326 (Frasier) - Currently, if the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) finds that a contractor or subcontractor has violated prevailing wage laws they issue a penalty assessment notice that fines these contractors. In addition to fining these contractors and trying to recoup lost wages, the Labor Commissioner or the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement may impose additional penalties, called liquidated damages, if contractors do not pay these unpaid wages within 60 days. However, contractors can appeal these decisions, and while they are doing so, they can avoid liquidated damages by depositing the entire amount of the penalty assessment in cash with the DIR to hold in escrow pending their appeal and subsequent review.
_____________________________________________________________________________
With Legislature on Summer Break, Time to Focus on Other Issues
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- July 8, 2016
Also In This Update
- Impact PAGA Has Had on Small Business
- Flexible Work Day Bill Dies…. Again
- California Pensions Take Above-Average Tax Bite
- Just the Facts: Californians and Transportation
- Before Expanding Climate Law, Fix Existing Problems
It's Time To Prepare For Some NEW Federal and Cal-OSHA Regulations
That You Weren't Expecting ...
_____________________________________________________________________________
As Summer Vacation Looms, Legislature in Full Swing
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- June 24, 2016
Also In This Update
- Bills Taking Effect July 1, 2016
- Bills Up Next Week
- Fixing California’s bad highways ensnarled in political gridlock
With the July 1st deadline for bills to be out of the other house’s policy committees, hearings are ongoing in full scale mode! What does that mean? Well, the legislature as a body of the whole, is one of the worst procrastinators around so typically bills are held in committees up until either the second to last or last possible calendar date to be heard before a deadline. And, as you will note below, many of the bills set to be heard this week were put over until next week!
_____________________________________________________________________________
Budget Approved by Legislature by Wednesday’s Deadline
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- June 16, 2016
Also In This Update
- Budget Approved as Are Most Remaining Trailer Bills
- Session on Transportation Funding Needs a Jump Start
- Bills Continue to Move
- Bills Set for Next Week
- Cal OSHA's Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry
Budget Approved as Are Most Remaining Trailer Bills
The Sacramento Bee reports, “At $122.5 billion, the budget adopted yesterday is the largest in California’s 166-year history. While Republicans opposed the budget bill in chief, arguing that it is too big and that the state is not prepared for the next downturn, the debate was good-natured and 5 trailer bills (most of the remaining trailer bills were approved today) were passed with bipartisan support.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Budget Deal Reached as Deadline Looms
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- June 10, 2016
Also In This Update
- Online Registration Renewal for Public Works Contractors Is Open
- California voters embrace vast majority of local taxes and bonds
- Sick Leave Accruals May Vary Based on Hours Worked
- CARB Offers Diesel Vehicle and Equipment Regulations Classes
Budget Deal Reached with Governor and Legislature
With next Wednesday, June 15 at midnight looming as the deadline for the Legislature to approve a budget for the 2016-2017 year, the leadership announced last evening that a deal had been reached with the governor. The Sacramento Bee reports:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Deadline for Bills to Be Out of House or Origin
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- June 2, 2016
Also In This Update
- Cal/OSHA Issues Statewide High Heat Advisory as Temperatures Soar
- Update on Transportation
- DIR Notice to Ready-Mix Companies Regarding Electronic Payroll Reporting
- Important Legal Updates
- Finally, Transparency Could Be Coming to the Capitol
More Legislative Deadlines
As you may recall from last week’s update, this past Friday, May 27th, was the deadline for bills introduced this year to be out of their house of origin’s fiscal committees and onto the floor. To meet this deadline, the committee chairs announced which bills were passing off what is called their Suspense File (a decision on the fate of each bill is often very political in nature) and which bills were remaining on Suspense (and died). In total there were approximately 550 bills on Suspense and 226 of these bills ended up dying.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Deadline for Bills to Move to Floor Fast Approaching
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- May 20, 2016
Also In This Update
- Update on Skilled and Trained Workforce Laws
- News Form the Air Resources Board
- Governor Brown’s May Revise: No new spending
- California voters will face dozens of local tax and bond measures
- New Overtime Regulations About to be Published: Employers to Face Dramatic Increase in Minimum Salary Requirement for Major Exemptions
- "High-Speed Rail” gets a four-year Delay
- Fix Our Roads Coalition Unveils Bipartisan Transportation Funding Solution
Deadline for Bills to Move to Floor Fast Approaching
Next Friday May 27th is the deadline for the two Appropriations Committees to pass bills out of their house of origin or they die. Next Thursday May 26th is the day all bills placed on suspense in both houses’ Appropriations Committees will be reported on, meaning that they either are passed on to the floor or remain in committee (die). The vast majority of bills placed on suspense die and that’s the end of them for the year (thankfully in most cases).
______________________________________________________________________________
Governor to Hold Press Conference Friday to Announce ‘May Revise’
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- May 12, 2016
Also In This Update
- Bills Up Next Week
- OSHA Issues New Electronic Recordkeeping Requirements and Creates a New Cause of Action for Employees
- IRS Announces 2017 Health Savings Account Limits
- Here's why the state's shoddy roads won't get fixed any time soon
Tomorrow, Friday, May13th is the last day for policy committees to meet until June 6th. This is so both houses can focus their attention on the remaining bills in the two appropriations committees; bills being heard on the floors of the two houses; and, to address the governor’s ‘May revise’ which will affect the final 2016/2017 state budget which must be completed by June 15th. Besides this being the mandated date for the legislature to approve the budget (which you may recall used to never happen on time), the voters approved an initiative several years ago which links legislators pay to the budget – no budget by June 15th, no pay until it’s approved! ‘Funny’ how things quickly changed!
_____________________________________________________________________________
Final Week for Bills to Pass Out of Policy Committees
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- April 28, 2016
Also In This Update
- Highlight of Key Bills Set Next Week for Hearing
- Project cuts decimate state trasportation program says Transportation California; calls for funding and reform package
- Background Materials Available for Upcoming CARB Hearing on Portable Fuel Containers
- California Appeals Court Provides Guidance on the Use of Electronic
Signatures by Employees
Bills Set For Hearing Next Week
Next Friday, May 6th is the deadline for all non-fiscal bills to pass out of their house of origins
Policy committee(s). Following are bills set in various committees next week.
_____________________________________________________________________________
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- April 15, 2016
Public Works Contractors Can Renew Annual Registration Beginning May 1
Also In This Update
- Last Week for Bills to Pass Out of Policy Committees with Cost to State
- Breaking Heat Wave Cal/OSHA Urges Employers to Protect Outdoor Workers from Record-Heat
- Contractors Arraigned on Tax and Insurance Fraud and Failure to Pay Prevailing Wages
Public Works Contractors Can Renew Annual Registration Beginning May 1
Beginning May 1, public works contractors who are registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) for the current fiscal year (ending June 30, 2016) may renew their registrations for the next fiscal year (starting July 1, 2016) using DIR’s online public works contractor registration system. Registered contractors who fail to renew by July 1 but continue working on public works after that date will be subject to late fees and potential penalties.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Bills Set Next Week and Updates on New Burdens on Employers
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- April 7, 2016
Also In This Update
- Private Retirement Plan a Cover for Bloated Public Pensions
- DIR Publishes Latest Consumer Price Index Table
- State High Court Rules on Suitable Seating
- California Legislative Analyst reports on Governor’s transportation budget proposals
With the legislature in ‘full work mode,’ hundreds of bills have been set for hearing next week. Following are a few of key importance/interest:
Bills Set Next Week
AB 1868 (Wagner R) Regulations: legislative notice
Current law requires an agency to mail a notice of proposed action to specified entities at least 45 days prior to the hearing and close of the public comment period on the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation. This bill would require that the notice of proposed action also be submitted to the Legislature if it includes particular information relating to economic and cost impacts of the regulation on businesses and private persons.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Hearings Begin In Earnest Next Week
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- March 30, 2016
Also In This Update
- Governor Brown, Legislators and Labor Leaders Announce Landmark Agreement to Raise California's Minimum Wage
- Lawmakers take step toward retirement fund for all Californians
- New Rules to Promote Infill May further Tie Up New Housing
Bills, Bills and More Bills!
Starting next Monday policy committees in the Capitol will start to hear lots of bills. Following are just some of the many of interest that are set to be heard next week.
____________________________________________________________________________
Legislature Recesses for Easter Break
BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- March 17, 2016
Also In This Update
- DIR Posts Public Works Notice Advising That Certified Payroll Reporting Requirements Have Not Changed
- California auditor: Caltrans road work open to waste, fraud, abuse
- $17,000 door for the file room? Audit blasts California agency
- State’s top cyber defender steps down after months of criticism over security lapses
- Review of High-Speed Rail Draft 2016 Business Plan
Legislature 'Beats Feet'
The streets of Sacramento are safe to walk once again - the legislature 'bailed' out of the Capitol this afternoon faster than if someone had pulled the fire alarm! Yes, it is Spring Recess once again meaning that nothing will be happening 'in the halls' until Monday, March 28th. As I've mentioned before that upon their return hearings will start to 'ramp-up' which will reach a crescendo on April 22nd when all bills with a fiscal impact on the state must pass out of their house of origin's policy committee(s); and, May 6th for the remainder of the bills to pass out of their respective house's policy committee(s).
____________________________________________________________________________
© 2016 Flasher Barricade Association
MEMBER RESOURCES
• 2010 Night Work Guide and Safety Checklist
• Contractor Operations Safety Checklist
