Charlotte Burrows Named EEOC Chair
President Biden has designated Commissioner Charlotte Burrows (D) as chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. While the commission currently does not possess a Democratic majority—which may limit its ability to move forward immediately with significant matters of policy—it is likely the EEOC will seek to revisit several Trump-era proposals once that majority is attained.
Apprenticeship Act Back in Action
The National Apprenticeship Act (HR 8294) has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives. Despite opposition to the bill, including disagreement from Associated Builders and Contractors, the legislation passed during the 116th Congress with 20 Republican votes.
Concerns include the bill’s language on “related instruction”; the inclusion of ratios, which limit apprenticeship opportunities; and a requirement that certain grants partner with labor or joint labor-management organizations.
D.C. Signs Non-Compete Ban Into Law
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the “Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Amendment Act of 2020” into law on Jan. 11, 2020. In short, the law means that employers can no longer require non-compete agreements in the District. In addition, the act is stricter than other non-compete prohibitions because, beyond barring a near-complete ban on any new agreements (old agreements will not be canceled), it also prevents employers from disallowing employees from competition during their employment.
The law will become effective following the expiration of the 30-day congressional review period.
FAA Final Rules Allow Drone Flight Flexibility
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has issued its final rule allowing the operation of small, unmanned aircraft systems (drones) at night or over people without obtaining a waiver—an amendment to the 2016 rule on the same subject.
The rule will establish four new categories of small UAS for these routine operations and allows for the use of UAS over moving vehicles as well. Furthermore, the rule permits drone operations at night under certain conditions.
In 2019, Associated Builders and Contractors commented in favor of the proposed rule, welcoming the simultaneous efforts to ease certain restrictions without compromising the FAA’s safety objections.
The FAA has also issued a final rule requiring the remote identification of drones, and both standards will go into effect on March 16.
Building Safety Month 2021
The International Code Council has announced the theme for this year’s Building Safety Month in May: “Prevent, Prepare, Protect. Building Codes Save. ”Construction businesses are encouraged to celebrate the importance of building safety in the spaces where people live, work and learn.
Although events will be held virtually this year, ICC has planned a variety of events to applaud the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and dedication to safe, sustainable buildings and communities.
- Week One (May 1-9): Energy & Innovation
- Week Two (May 10-16): Training the Next Generation
- Week Three (May 17-23): Water Safety
- Week Four (May 24-31): Disaster Preparedness
More information is available at buildingsafetymonth.org.
Texas Increases Apartment Availability, Says RENTCafé
A recent report by RENTCafé(via Yardi Matrix) has evaluated apartment construction in Texas as contractors hurry to meet a rise in demand, primarily from California. Construction is thriving in the Lone Star state as 126,900 apartments are currently being built.
The cities with the majority of the influx are as follows:
- Austin: 22,600
- Houston: 17,400
- Dallas: 11,400
- San Antonio: 9,300
- Fort Worth: 6,300
An apartment-heavy atmosphere is not different for the state, however. Between 2010 and 2020, approximately 2,000 apartment buildings (housing 503,300 units) were built. In this case, Houston carried the majority with 73,000 units during this time period, followed by Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Forth Worth. The same Texas cities offer the most high-end apartments, while the largest apartments can be found in San Marcos, Pearland, Cypress, Katy and Sugar Land.
