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Today is Election Day! As we cast our votes, we also turn our attention to the rapidly approaching 2025 legislative session in January. The drop of the gavel always seems to come quicker than some would expect or enjoy. In the months leading up to the opening of the state house, legislative and administrative study committees have been racing to complete their reports and, more importantly, their recommendations in time for the incoming legislature. ABC has been tracking several of those studies that may have significant impacts on contractors. Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation has released a report detailing its recommendations for reducing and eliminating PFAS, or “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances,” from consumer products. These man-made chemicals are resistant to heat, water, oil, and grease, and are found in products such as carpets, clothing, cookware, food packaging, firefighting foams, paints, cleaning products, microelectronics, batteries, and medical equipment. Commonly called “forever chemicals,” PFAS are suspected carcinogens linked to various illnesses, including cancer and other serious diseases. Vermont took notice of PFAS contamination after groundwater near a dry-cleaning chemical company was discovered to be contaminated several years ago. The report focuses primarily on intentional additions to consumer products. While there are many exemptions to the rulemaking process, it remains unclear how items like personal protective equipment or construction materials might be impacted. Once reviewed by the legislature, a bill may follow that incorporates some or all of the report’s recommendations. ABC will monitor this process closely to ensure contractors’ concerns are addressed before any potential legislation is passed.

Ballots have arrived in the mail for most Vermonters. Spoiler alert: not much will change this year. As of October 15th, the statewide election races are basically locked in with the same people representing Vermonters expected to win, except for Lieutenant Governor. Incumbent David Zuckerman from Hinesburg faces off with Republican (formerly Democrat) John Rodgers of Essex-Orleans County for the #2 seat in the state house.

The state of Vermont is a buzz of political calls, emails and events across the state as ballots will be mailed in the next week to all registered voters. In addition, many reports due to the legislature are in the process of completion or have been delivered to answer several questions related to professions including residential contracting, building code studies and education funding.

With the 2024 General Election right around the corner Vermont candidates are out pounding the pavement, attending events and fundraising to keep themselves front of mind with voters through November. With Vermonts new program of mailing absentee ballots to the list of registered voters, people will begin casting theirs as early as the first week of October.

Associated Builders and Contractors today issued the following statement opposing the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule that will change overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Associated Builders and Contractors today issued the following statement opposing the Federal Trade Commission’s final rule to ban noncompete clauses. The FTC voted 3-2 to issue the final rule today.

Associated Builders and Contractors NH/VT Chapter (ABC) today announced the endorsement of Hollie Noveletsky for Congress, NH-1. ABC represents over 285 local contractors and construction-related firms in the multi-family, industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector.  

Associated Builders and Contractors submitted comments to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Internal Revenue Service in response to a proposed rule implementing controversial labor policies through changes to the federal tax code by the ABC-opposed Inflation Reduction Act. ABC called on the IRS to provide further clarity and withdraw anti-competitive aspects of the proposal that would increase costs, reduce competition and delay construction of clean energy projects eligible for more than $270 billion in federal tax incentives from the IRA.

Associated Builders and Contractors today announced its opposition to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announcement of a proposed rule, Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process. The proposed rule would allow an employee to choose a third-party representative, such as an outside union representative, to accompany an OSHA inspector into nonunion facilities.

Flooding victims anywhere in Vermont now have until Nov. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced on July 13, 2023.