On March 17, 2017, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) submitted Budget Trailer Bill 502. Budget Trailer Bill 502 would provide changes to the existing contractor registration requirements, as well as changes to the requirement for agencies to provide
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New bill would expand design-build authority for local agencies
A new bill, AB 851, was introduced in the California legislature on February 16 that would expand the scope of the design-build authority currently available to local agencies. If adopted, AB 851 would amend Public Contract Code sections 22161 to…
Are P3s the answer to our infrastructure needs? NYT article raises concerns.
This article by Griff Palmer in the NY Times Business Day section examines three P3 projects in the US, and compares the promises with some of the disappointments. The article provides a good overview of the significant issues that must…
New statute regarding public works claims
A new set of requirements regarding contractor claims submitted on public works projects went in to effect on January 1, 2017. Public Contract Code section 9204 was adopted pursuant to AB 626, and will require most public agencies to…
The protected bicycle intersection comes to Davis, CA
Davis is the first city in California to install a protected bicycle intersection, which many cyclists believe is part of the necessary infrastructure to expand cycling to the general public. This article includes a great video explaining the benefits of the protected…
High speed rail lessons from France and Germany
I recently came across an interesting podcast on some lessons learned regarding high speed rail from France and Germany, focusing primarily on station planning issues. Worth a listen if you have 38 minutes. http://usa.streetsblog.org/2015/07/16/talking-headways-podcast-high-speed-rail-lessons-from-france-and-germany/
Fascinating tunnel project plans to connect Denmark and Germany under the Baltic Sea
The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link project would create a new 11 miles tunnel under the Baltic Sea, which would be the longest undersea tunnel in the world. Check out the video in the attached link for 4 minute overview…
New public works requirements for contractors and public agencies pursuant to SB 854
On June 20, 2014, the California legislature adopted SB 854, a “budget bill” that was heavily negotiated and tied to the approval of the state budget. Included among a variety of unrelated provisions in the lengthy bill were a number…
New case confirms competitive bidding exception for lease lease-back projects award by school districts
A court of appeal case published on September 18, 2014, Los Alamitos Unified School District v. Howard Contracting, Inc., confirmed the existence of an exception to competitive bidding for “lease-leaseback” agreements awarded by school districts pursuant to Education Code section…
California legislature enacts several new laws concerning prevailing wage requirements
The California legislature has enacted a number of laws that impact prevailing wage requirements, including provisions that affect charter cities, requirements to inform the Labor Commissioner of the completion of public works projects, exposure to liquidated damages for prevailing wage…