AGC East Tennessee Members Hit The Hill

On March 7, a record-number of chapter members attended Day on the Hill in Nashville to share our industry priorities with our legislative delegation.  The 22 attending members of AGC East Tennessee presented our position on our legislative watchlist and pitched legislators to get ready for a funding ask for Phase 2 of the Construction Career Center, which would double capacity at the school.  After meeting with legislators, members attended a reception with building professionals and legislators from across the state followed by dinner at The Palm and a night out on the Nashville scene.

2023 Legislative Watchlist:

HB0655 (Howell), SB1444 (Roberts)
This bill would increase licensing limits for contractors from $25,000-$40,928.
As leaders in the construction industry, we believe that this bill would open the door for more unlicensed, unqualified contractors.
Position: Oppose

HB0321 (Lamberth) SB0273 (Johnson)
Enacts the “Transportation Modernization Act of 2023.”
While we have concerns about the selection process of evaluating committee and bidding process equity, we believe that overall this Act will have a tremendous impact on congestion relief and infrastructure improvement across the state.
Position: Support

HB1010(Grills) SB0272 (Stevens)
As introduced, lowers the population threshold, from 25,000 to 20,000, below which two or more cities may agree to jointly engage one building inspector.
In Hamilton County, streamlining the permitting and inspection process has been the top policy issue across the building industry. Wage caps make it difficult for municipalities to compete for this type of talent. We support creative initiatives to make the development and construction process easier and more efficient.
Position: Support

HB664 (Hicks) SB665 (Gardenhire)
Revises provisions governing criminal history checks of certain persons who come in direct contact with school children or children in a child care program, or who enter the grounds of a school or child care center while children are present. We believe in being tough on crime. We also believe in second chances to help those who have paid their debts to become contributing citizens. We strongly support this legislation that offers a solution to help build the pipeline of candidates into the construction workforce.
Position: Support