ACEC/NC Legislative CommitteeMeeting Minutes

April 12, 201611:30 am

________________________________________________________________________

Chair: Brian GlidewellVice Chair: Jeremy PotterBoard Liaison: Stephanie Hachem

Attendees: Brian Glidewell, Jeremy Potter, Jim Smith, Jessica Mills, Jeff Douglas, DavidFerrell, Terry Winebrenner, Louise Slate

Telephone: Gary Hartong________________________________________________________________________

Review/Approval of Previous Meeting (February 9, 2016) MinutesNo comments were noted.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Meeting with Future Leaders to Introduce the Legislative Committeea. Occurred March 2, 2016b. Brian Glidewell and Jeremy Potter provided an introduction of the Legislative

Committee prior to the Legislative Process class beginningc. Hopefully this introduction in conjunction with NC Day at the Legislature on

May 11 will spur interest in the committee.2. Connect NC Bond passed on March 15 ballot

a. ACEC/NC raised approximately $90,000 and led the effort supporting thebond.

b. Governor McCrory has expressed interest in another Transportation Bond if heis re-elected.

NEW BUSINESS

1. New ACEC/NC Office is in the Wells Fargo Building, 150 Fayetteville Street,Suite 1340

2. Legislative Agenda for Short Sessiona. SB 138 (Ownership of Professional Corporations by Engineers)

i. Scott Hinesley is planning to meet with Senator Tarte to discuss this

bill.

ii. Bill essentially removes the restriction that engineering companies

must be 2/3 owned by licensed Professional Engineers (Edits Chapter

55B of the Professional Corporation Act)

iii. The bill is not eligible to be heard during the short session. (Only bills

that passed at least the House or Senate during the long session are

allowed to be discussed during the short session. No new bills.)

iv. Senator Tarte may have less incentive to push the bill as his personal

interest in the bill has changed.

b. Transit funding cap at $500,000

i. This issue will be taken up in the Senate and it is tough to tell at this

point how the Senate will vote.

ii. Likelihood is that the cap will be removed as this cap goes against

prioritization.

c. HB 97 (Budget Bill passed in long session)

iii. Contains 10% cut at the central office level of NCDOT (possibly 250-

350 layoffs).

iv. ACEC/NC is meeting with NCDOT on April 26th to discuss.

d. Blue Ribbon Commission

i. Lead by Rep. Arp and Sen. Barefoot

ii. Began meeting in March and plan to meet every several weeks

iii. Right now the meetings are laying the groundwork on what the

commission will do.

e. Election Year/HB2

i. A lengthy discussion took place discussing the bill and how it could

effect upcoming elections.

3. Developing Strategies for Meeting with Representatives out of session in theirhome districts.a. Possibly start with Metro areas (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Wilmington)

and work out from thereb. Come up with a list of key legislators (committee chairs, etc.) and see who

within ACEC/NC lives in the area and would be willing to set up a meeting.c. With over 200 members firms and 7,000 registered employees, the state

should have ACEC/NC members in most areas.d. Perhaps the establishment of a Task Force would help give some organization

to this effort.4. Upcoming Events

a. Consulting Congress Daysi. April 19th–20th in Washington, DCii. Bus will leave from the HNTB office on Six Forks Road at 8:30am, April

19th. Approximately 9 people riding the bus to D.C.iii. Staying at the Washington Plaza Hoteliv. A schedule of the meetings was distributed.

• Congressional Reception Tuesday, April 19th from 6-7:30• Tuesday, April 20th morning meetings will be in the old Judicial

Library in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2148.v. A packet outlining 4 main issues ACEC will be advocating for in D.C.

was distributed and discussed briefly.b. AENC Reception

i. April 26th (This is the day after the short session begins.)ii. Museum of Natural Sciencesiii. Jim Smith has 8 tickets available and so far 5 have been claimed.iv. More tickets can be purchased if necessary.

c. NC Day at the Legislaturei. An email blast concerning this event will be distributed soon.

ii. Wednesday, May 11th.iii. Registration will start at 10:30am with the legislative briefing at 11am.iv. Lunch will be on the lawn of the Lt. Governor’s Mansion.v. 2-5pm are appointments at the legislature

• Focus on what can be accomplished during the short sessionvi. CAGC is hosting a reception at 5:30pm at the bar above the Busy Bee.

• ACEC/NC Legislative Committee would like to have areception with the Future Leaders class prior to this (4pm?).

• Location and sponsor TBD.vii. The next morning, May 12th is a “Breakfast with the Board” event in

Wilmington.e. ACEC/PAC Golf Tournament

i. Monday, July 18th.ii. Possibly there will be an appearance by the Governor and Lt. Governor

at the breakfast. This may increase the number of breakfast onlyattendees.

iii. Would like to have 72 golfers registered to fill up a course.iv. 10:30am shotgun start

f. Annual Summer Conferencei. August 4th-6th.ii. Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC.iii. Working on a brewery tour Thursday night.iv. Possibility of a zip line tour.v. Friday morning and Saturday morning sessions with the afternoons on

your own. There is a Task Force currently working on topics for thesemorning sessions. Any new ideas can be submitted to Jim Smith.

vi. Representative Catlin will be honored at the Friday night reception.

OTHER

1. ACEC PAC Updatea. 2016 PAC Goal = $27,876b. Only raised $800 as of this meeting, but fundraising events are coming.

2. EPAC Updatea. Luncheon with House Speaker Tim Moore occurred in March 2016b. Raised approximately $18,000 as of the Luncheon with Speaker Moore.

UPDATES FROM COMMITTEE/FORUM LIAISONS

1. Board (Stephanie Hachem) – Jim Smith gave the updatea. Chairs and Vice Chairs will be hearing soon about a June planning session.

2. Environmental & Energy Forum (Gary Hartong)a. Mark McIntire of Duke Energy will Chair the Energy subcommittee.b. Lee Campbell will lead the water/wastewater subcommittee.

3. Transportation (Jim Trogdon) – Jim Smith gave the updatea. Subcommittees are being reorganized.

4. Buildings & Infrastructure (Jeremy Potter)

a. Hosting a Charlotte Airport Development Update at the Sheraton CharlotteAirport Hotel, Thursday, May 5th.

5. Economic Development (Brian Glidewell)a. March 22nd, hosted a lunch presentation with Anna Lea Moore, VP-Economic

Development, NC Railroad Companyb. May 12th, hosting a presentation by Cliff Pyron, Communications Manager-

North Carolina State Ports Authority; followed by a guided tour of theWilmington Port.

6. Senior Leaders Forum (Jim Smith) – No longer meeting this year, will meet againnext year.

7. Business Practices Forum (Jim Smith) – There is new leadership and they areorganizing upcoming events.

OPEN DISCUSSION1. A discussion topic concerned the summer conference and it is included in the

minutes regarding that event.2. The committee is looking for a lunch sponsor for the next meeting in June.

ATTACHMENTS:1. CCD topics and schedule.

NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be a lunch meeting on Tuesday, June 14th at theACEC/NC office.

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Brian Glidewell, P.E.

END OF DOCUMENT

2016 Consulting Congress Days

AGENDA:

TUESDAY, APRIL 19th, 2016

8:30 am Private motor coach departs from HNTB for D.C. • HNTB: 343 E. Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 • Meet by 8:15 am • Breakfast, snacks, beverages and lunch provided on Coach • Cars should be left in the parking lot along the back wall (where the HNTB vehicles

are) 2:30 pm Approximate Arrival in Washington, D.C. • Drop-off at the Washington Plaza Hotel – 10 Thomas Circle, Washington, D.C.

20005. Early check-in may or may not be available and will be on a case by case basis. If you are not able to check in early, the hotel bell staff can check your bags and hold them until your room is ready.

3:45 pm Coach Departs from Washington Plaza Hotel 4:30 pm Coach Pick-up Marriott Wardman Park, 2600 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 - meet Jim Smith in the lobby 5:15 pm Drop-off at City Club Washington: 555 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 • Business attire • We will be in a private room - Jefferson Room • 5:30 pm -6:00 pm Issues Briefing with Becky Weber, Prime Point, Inc. • 6:00 pm -7:30 pm Members Networking Reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres

with NC Delegation. 7:30 pm Coach Pick-up at City Club Washington and then drop off at hotels: • First drop is the Marriott Wardman Park, 2600 Woodley Road NW, Washington,

D.C. 20008 • 2nd drop is the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, Washington, D.C. 20005 • Dinner on your own

CONTACT INFORMATION: JESSICA MILLS - 919-345-6755 | MEREDITH HOUSTON – 919-706-9999 | JIM SMITH – 919-830-9631

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20th, 2016 7:30 am Coach Pick-up at the Washington Plaza Hotel – 10 Thomas Circle, Washington, D.C. 20005 • Check-out and bring your bags on the bus with you. We WILL NOT return to the

Washington Plaza before departing D.C. • Continental Breakfast served on the coach 8:15 am Coach Pick-up at the Marriott Wardman Park, 2600 Woodley Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

• Breakfast on your own 9:00 am Coach Drop-off at the Rayburn House Office Building (RHOB): 45 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20515 • Plan to have your I.D. ready as there is a security check to enter the RHOB • Meetings run from about 9:15 am -12:00 pm, in room 2148 Judicial Library; and a

final meeting at 2:00 pm in the Russell Senate Office Building , room 217 • Lunch will be served at the RHOB, in room 2325 – Science Committee Room 3:15 pm Coach pick-up at the Rayburn House Office Building pick up spot - Pre-determined area specified by driver (near 3rd street on below map) 4:00 pm Drop-off at Marriott Wardman park - Everyone can get off the bus and change at the Wardman Park 4:30 pm BUS LEAVES from Marriott Wardman Park - Snacks and beverages provided on coach 10:00 pm approximate arrival in Raleigh at HNTB: 343 E. Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609

CAPITOL HILL MAP

Morning meetings on Capitol Hill-April 20, 2016 Attendees and Congressional DistrictsLocation-Rayburn House Office Building Room 2148 Tuesday Reception and Wednesday Capitol Hill Visits

CONGRESSIONAL

TIME ATTENDEE CONTACT NUMBER NAME TITLE DISTRICT

James Smith Executive Director, ACEC/NC 13

Brian Glidewell Regional Manager, S&ME 6

8:30 Pick-up Key to Library @ Rep. Holding's Office, Cannon 507 Richard Wells VP, Kleinfelder 6

8:45 Gary Hartong VP, The Wooten Company 3

9:00 Louise Slate VP, AMEC FW 2

9:15 Rep. Hudson Summer Fields (202) 225-3715 David Eberspeaker VP, KCI Associates 6

9:30 Rep. Holding Katie Lawrence (202) 225-3032 Scott Hinesley President, REI 12

9:45 Randy Neuhaus President & CEO, S&ME 4

10:00 Rep. Price Kate Throneburg (202) 225-1784 Bill Martin VP, VHB 4

10:15 Bill Hood VP, AMEC FW 13

10:30 John Lucey President, McKim & Creed 13

10:45 Rep. Rouzer Kelley Greer (202) 225-2731 Kraig Kern VP, WK Dickson 12

11:00 Jeff Douglas VP, HDR 13

11:15 Rep. Foxx Courtney Butcher (202) 225-2071 Monty Irvin President & CEO, Ramey Kemp 13

11:30 Rep. Walker Alexa Walker (202) 225-3065 Jeremy Potter PM, HDR 4

11:45 Steve Thomas EVP & COO, SEPI Engineering 4

12:00 Lunch @ ACEC Hospitality Room, Rayburn 2325, Science Committee Room Fred Burchett VP, Kimley Horn 2

Stephanie Hachem VP, Kimley-Horn 2

2:00 Senators Burr and Tillis Molly Harper (202) 224-3154 Meredith Houston Administrative Manager, ACEC/NC 4

Angela Schultze (202) 224-6342 Jessica Mills Event Planner, ACEC/NC 4

Meet together in Sen. Burr's Office

Russell Senate Office Building 217

Congressional Reception-April 19, 2016City Club Washington from 6:00 to 7:30 pm

Attendees: Ellmers, Holding, Meadows, Foxx, Hudson, Rouzer

FA

CT

S

HE

ET

Sustainable Transportation Investment

ISSUEIn December 2015, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Fixing America’s Surface

Transportation (FAST) Act, providing five years of increased funding to support highway and transit projects, while including new reforms to enhance program efficiency. ACEC thanks lawmakers who supported this landmark legislation, and urges Congress to remain focused on adopting long-term, sustainable funding mechanisms to support the nation’s transportation needs.

BACKGROUNDPassage of the FAST Act, a 5-year, $305 billion reauthorization of highway, transit, and rail programs,

was a signature legislative accomplishment in 2015. States and local governments can now move forward with long-stalled projects with the certainty of multi-year federal commitments. The FAST Act also contains numerous program reforms that, if implemented successfully, will reduce regulatory burdens, promote innovation, and foster private sector participation in project delivery.

The new law recognizes the valuable role engineering firms play in working with state and local trans-portation agencies to deliver transportation projects efficiently and effectively. Section 1443 of the FAST Act urges the Secretary of Transportation to encourage State DOTs to partner with engineering firms “to strengthen project performance, improve domestic competitiveness, and create jobs.” Transportation agencies rely on the specialized skills and technical expertise that firms provide to solve complex design challenges in creative ways. They also use local firms to meet tight project deadlines and manage project risks. The FAST Act reinforces the value of those partnerships and encourages greater utilization.

The passage of the FAST Act with broad, bipartisan majorities in both the House (359-65) and Senate (83-16) demonstrates a strong commitment to federal investment in the nation’s infrastructure. The remaining challenge is to reach consensus on options for strengthening the long-term fiscal stability of the Highway Trust Fund, which was not addressed in the legislation. The annual gap between Highway Trust Fund revenues and annual expenditures is projected to grow to $20 billion by 2021.

Alternative fuel vehicles, more efficient cars and trucks, and changing driving patterns will continue to erode a revenue structure that has not been updated in decades. In the meantime, transportation system conditions and performance continue to deteriorate. Discussions and engagement between poli-cymakers, stakeholders, and the public on how to tackle this growing challenge cannot wait until the FAST Act expires.

KEY POINTS ■ Transportation infrastructure forms the basis of economic growth. Every dollar invested in highway

and transit development generates between $4-8 in economic output. ■ Congress still needs to focus on a long-term, sustainable solution for the Highway Trust Fund. More

than $140 billion has been transferred into the HTF since 2008 because of the failure to address systemic funding shortfalls with real revenue solutions.

■ Funding is not keeping pace with system needs. According to AASHTO, annual investment from all levels of government needs to increase from $88 billion to $120 billion for roads and bridges and from $17 billion to $43 billion in the nation’s public transit systems in order to improve conditions and meet the nation’s mobility needs.

FAST Act (H.R. 22) Conference Report Vote in the House YEAS (359)

Abraham Carney DeLauro Granger Joyce Luetkemeyer Nunes Roybal-Allard Tiberi Adams Carson (IN) DelBene Graves (GA) Kaptur Lujan Grisham (NM) O’Rourke Royce Titus Aderholt Carter (GA) Denham Graves (LA) Katko Luján, B.R. (NM) Olson Ruiz Tonko Allen Carter (TX) Dent Graves (MO) Keating Lummis Palazzo Rush Torres Ashford Cartwright DeSaulnier Grayson Kelly (IL) Lynch Pallone Russell Trott Babin Castor (FL) Deutch Green, Al Kelly (MS) MacArthur Pascrell Ryan (OH) Tsongas Barletta Castro (TX) Diaz-Balart Green, Gene Kelly (PA) Maloney, Carolyn Paulsen Sánchez, Linda T. Turner Barr Chabot Dingell Griffith Kennedy Maloney, Sean Pelosi Sarbanes Upton Barton Chu, Judy Doggett Grijalva Kildee Marino Perlmutter Scalise Valadao Bass Cicilline Dold Guinta Kilmer Matsui Perry Schakowsky Van Hollen Beatty Clark (MA) Donovan Guthrie Kind McCarthy Peters Schiff Vargas Becerra Clarke (NY) Doyle, Michael Gutiérrez King (IA) McCaul Peterson Schrader Veasey Benishek Clay Duckworth Hahn King (NY) McCollum Pingree Scott (VA) Vela Bera Cleaver Duncan (TN) Hanna Kinzinger (IL) McDermott Pittenger Scott, Austin Velázquez Beyer Clyburn Edwards Hardy Kirkpatrick McGovern Pitts Scott, David Visclosky Bilirakis Cohen Ellison Harper Kline McHenry Pocan Sensenbrenner Wagner Bishop (GA) Cole Ellmers (NC) Hartzler Knight McKinley Poe (TX) Serrano Walberg Bishop (MI) Collins (GA) Emmer (MN) Hastings Kuster McMorris Rodgers Poliquin Sessions Walden Bishop (UT) Collins (NY) Engel Heck (NV) LaHood McNerney Polis Sewell (AL) Walorski Black Comstock Eshoo Heck (WA) LaMalfa McSally Price (NC) Sherman Walters, Mimi Blum Conaway Esty Herrera Beutler Lance Meadows Price, Tom Shimkus Walz Blumenauer Connolly Farenthold Higgins Langevin Meehan Quigley Shuster Wasserman Schultz Bonamici Conyers Farr Hill Larsen (WA) Meng Rangel Simpson Waters, Maxine Bost Cook Fattah Himes Larson (CT) Messer Reed Sinema Watson Coleman Boustany Cooper Fincher Hinojosa Latta Mica Reichert Sires Webster (FL) Boyle, Brendan Costa Fitzpatrick Honda Lawrence Miller (MI) Ribble Slaughter Welch Brady (PA) Costello (PA) Fleischmann Hoyer Lee Moolenaar Rice (NY) Smith (MO) Westerman Brady (TX) Courtney Forbes Huffman Levin Mooney (WV) Rice (SC) Smith (NE) Westmoreland Brooks (IN) Cramer Fortenberry Hultgren Lewis Moore Richmond Smith (NJ) Whitfield Brown (FL) Crawford Foster Hunter Lieu, Ted Moulton Rigell Smith (WA) Wilson (FL) Brownley (CA) Crenshaw Frankel (FL) Hurd (TX) Lipinski Mullin Roby Speier Wittman Buchanan Crowley Frelinghuysen Israel LoBiondo Murphy (FL) Roe (TN) Stefanik Womack Bucshon Cummings Fudge Jackson Lee Loebsack Murphy (PA) Rogers (AL) Stivers Woodall Bustos Curbelo (FL) Gabbard Jeffries Lofgren Nadler Rogers (KY) Stutzman Yarmuth Butterfield Davis (CA) Gallego Jenkins (KS) Long Napolitano Rokita Swalwell (CA) Young (AK) Byrne Davis, Danny Garamendi Jenkins (WV) Loudermilk Neal Rooney (FL) Takano Young (IA) Calvert Davis, Rodney Gibbs Johnson (GA) Love Newhouse Ros-Lehtinen Thompson (CA) Young (IN) Capps DeFazio Gibson Johnson (OH) Lowenthal Noem Ross Thompson (MS) Zeldin Capuano DeGette Goodlatte Johnson, E. B. Lowey Nolan Rothfus Thompson (PA) Zinke Cárdenas Delaney Graham Jolly Lucas Norcross Rouzer Thornberry

NAYS (65) Amash Coffman Garrett Huelskamp McClintock Renacci Weber (TX) Amodei Culberson Gohmert Huizenga (MI) Miller (FL) Rohrabacher Wenstrup Blackburn DeSantis Gosar Hurt (VA) Mulvaney Roskam Wilson (SC) Brat DesJarlais Gowdy Issa Neugebauer Salmon Yoder Bridenstine Duffy Grothman Jones Nugent Sanford Yoho Brooks (AL) Duncan (SC) Harris Jordan Palmer Schweikert Buck Fleming Hensarling Labrador Pearce Smith (TX) Burgess Flores Hice, Jody B. Lamborn Pompeo Stewart Chaffetz Foxx Holding Marchant Posey Tipton Clawson (FL) Franks (AZ) Hudson Massie Ratcliffe Walker

Not Voting (9) Aguilar Cuellar Johnson, Sam Meeks Payne Ruppersberger Sanchez, Loretta Takai Williams

FAST Act (H.R. 22) Conference Report Vote in the Senate YEAS (83)

Alexander (R-TN) Brown (D-OH) Coons (D-DE) Gardner (R-CO) Inhofe (R-OK) McCain (R-AZ) Nelson (D-FL) Shaheen (D-NH) Whitehouse (D-RI) Ayotte (R-NH) Burr (R-NC) Cornyn (R-TX) Gillibrand (D-NY) Isakson (R-GA) McCaskill (D-MO) Peters (D-MI) Stabenow (D-MI) Wicker (R-MS) Baldwin (D-WI) Cantwell (D-WA) Daines (R-MT) Graham (R-SC) Johnson (R-WI) McConnell (R-KY) Portman (R-OH) Sullivan (R-AK) Wyden (D-OR) Barrasso (R-WY) Capito (R-WV) Donnelly (D-IN) Grassley (R-IA) Kaine (D-VA) Menendez (D-NJ) Reed (D-RI) Tester (D-MT) Bennet (D-CO) Cardin (D-MD) Durbin (D-IL) Hatch (R-UT) King (I-ME) Merkley (D-OR) Reid (D-NV) Thune (R-SD) Blumenthal (D-CT) Casey (D-PA) Enzi (R-WY) Heinrich (D-NM) Kirk (R-IL) Mikulski (D-MD) Roberts (R-KS) Tillis (R-NC) Blunt (R-MO) Cassidy (R-LA) Ernst (R-IA) Heitkamp (D-ND) Klobuchar (D-MN) Moran (R-KS) Rounds (R-SD) Toomey (R-PA) Booker (D-NJ) Coats (R-IN) Feinstein (D-CA) Heller (R-NV) Leahy (D-VT) Murkowski (R-AK) Schatz (D-HI) Udall (D-NM) Boozman (R-AR) Cochran (R-MS) Fischer (R-NE) Hirono (D-HI) Manchin (D-WV) Murphy (D-CT) Schumer (D-NY) Vitter (R-LA) Boxer (D-CA) Collins (R-ME) Franken (D-MN) Hoeven (R-ND) Markey (D-MA) Murray (D-WA) Sessions (R-AL) Warner (D-VA)

NAYS (16) Carper (D-DE) Cotton (R-AR) Cruz (R-TX) Lankford (R-OK) Paul (R-KY) Risch (R-ID) Sasse (R-NE) Shelby (R-AL) Corker (R-TN) Crapo (R-ID) Flake (R-AZ) Lee (R-UT) Perdue (R-GA) Rubio (R-FL) Scott (R-SC) Warren (D-MA)

Not Voting (1) Sanders (I-VT)

FA

CT

S

HE

ET

Aviation and Airport Investment

ISSUEFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding and programs need to be reauthorized this year,

giving Congress a crucial opportunity to bolster the U.S. economy by modernizing aviation infrastructure and providing long-term funding stability. ACEC urges Congress to support an FAA reauthorization bill that boosts investment, promotes uniform procurement and auditing standards, and facilitates the use of unmanned aircraft systems.

BACKGROUNDAmerica’s airports are powerful economic engines, generating more than $1.5 trillion in annual

activity and supporting more than 9.6 million jobs. Over the next five years, airports will require over $71 billion to update aging facilities, relieve delays and congestion, and promote safety and security. Direct federal funding through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) – which has not been increased in more than a decade – covers only a fraction of the total infrastructure projects required to upgrade and maintain our world-class aviation system.

Congress should maximize investment in airport capital improvement projects in the next FAA Reauthorization in order to boost economic growth and enhance the passenger experience. This includes necessary increases in core AIP funding as well as an increase in the cap on Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) to give airports the tools to meet their capital needs.

Aviation programs and airport projects would also be improved through a consistent, uniform standard for procurement and contracting of engineering and design services. A Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) procurement process – an open, competitive system where firms compete on the basis of qualifications, past experience, and the expertise they bring to a project – should be in place for all airport capital projects. In addition, contracts with engineering and design firms should be subject to federal stan-dards for cost accounting and audits. These provisions would provide consistency with existing rules for surface transportation projects, reducing regulatory burdens, enhancing competition and innovation, and ultimately saving taxpayer money.

Lastly, the FAA reauthorization process provides an opportunity for Congress to promote the safe and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace. Many engineering and design firms have embraced the use of UAS for a wide array of services, including surveying, mapping, site monitoring, and inspections, among many others. Utilizing UAS can often be done with less risk and more accuracy than traditional means, yielding significant efficiencies and savings.

KEY POINTS ■ AIP is a critical source of funding for airports of all sizes, but falls short of meeting system needs.

The FAA estimates there will be $42 billion in AIP-eligible projects over the next five years. ■ PFCs are user fees that are reinvested into the aviation system, but the current cap constrains invest-

ment opportunities. The $4.50 cap on PFCs hasn’t been adjusted for 15 years, and cost inflation has eroded the purchasing power by half.

■ Confusing and costly local airport contracting practices conflict with federal standards. Federal rules outline the QBS process and what contracting costs are reasonable and allowable, while some local airport practices present a barrier to many engineering firms wishing to compete for projects.

House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure

Republicans Democrats

Bill Shuster (PA)  Peter DeFazio (OR) Chairman Ranking Member Don Young (AK) Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) John Duncan, Jr. (TN) Jerrold Nadler (NY) John Mica (FL) Corrine Brown (FL) Frank LoBiondo (NJ) Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) Sam Graves (MO) Elijah Cummings (MD) Candice Miller (MI) Rick Larsen (WA) Duncan Hunter (CA) Michael Capuano (MA) Rick Crawford (AR) Grace Napolitano (CA) Lou Barletta (PA) Daniel Lipinski (IL) Blake Farenthold (TX) Steve Cohen (TN) Bob Gibbs (OH) Albio Sires (NJ) Richard Hanna (NY) Donna Edwards (MD) Daniel Webster (FL) John Garamendi (CA) Jeff Denham (CA) André Carson (IN) Reid Ribble (WI) Janice Hahn (CA) Thomas Massie (KY) Rick Nolan (MN) Mark Meadows (NC) Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ) Scott Perry (PA) Dina Titus (NV) Rodney Davis (IL) Sean Patrick Maloney (NY) Mark Sanford (SC) Elizabeth Esty (CT) Rob Woodall (GA) Lois Frankel (FL) Todd Rokita (IN) Cheri Bustos (IL) John Katko (NY) Jared Huffman (CA) Brian Babin (TX) Julia Brownley (CA) Cresent Hardy (NV) Ryan Costello (PA) Garret Graves (LA) Mimi Walters (CA) Barbara Comstock (VA) Carlos Curbelo (FL) David Rouzer (NC) Lee Zeldin (NY) Mike Bost (IL)

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation

Republicans Democrats

John Thune (SD) Bill Nelson (FL) Chairman Ranking Member

Roger Wicker (MS) Maria Cantwell (WA) Roy Blunt (MO) Claire McCaskill (MO) Marco Rubio (FL) Amy Klobuchar (MN) Kelly Ayotte (NH) Richard Blumenthal (CT) Ted Cruz (TX) Brian Schatz (HI) Deb Fischer (NE) Edward Markey (MA) Jerry Moran (KS) Cory Booker (NJ) Dan Sullivan (AK) Tom Udall (NM) Ron Johnson (WI) Joe Manchin (WV) Dean Heller (NV) Gary Peters (MI) Cory Gardner (CO) Steve Daines (MT)

FA

CT

S

HE

ET

An Energy Plan for America’s Future

ISSUECongress has the opportunity to finalize legislation this year to enhance America’s energy security,

modernize infrastructure, boost exports, and promote efficiency. ACEC supports the House passed energy bill (H.R. 8) and pending Senate legislation (S. 2012), and urges Congress to send the President a final bill to develop America’s energy resources this year.

BACKROUNDDespite recent oil price volatility, the United States is in the midst of an energy revolution. The nation

continues to meet more of its energy needs, with greater end-use efficiency and record production of oil, natural gas, and renewable energy. Energy imports reached record lows in 2014. With the recent lifting of the oil export ban and operation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export facilities, energy exports are expected to increase. America’s engineering industry continues to play a key role in supporting this expan-sion of energy markets.

The 114th Congress has made strong progress in moving legislation to enhance energy development and productivity. The House has cleared H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, which includes provisions to expedite the approval of LNG export facilities and cross border energy infrastructure projects. The measure puts special emphasis on electrical grid resilience, with provisions to enhance emergency response to natural disasters and other threats, and requirements for utilities to develop plans to improve infrastructure and use advanced technologies to mitigate against outages.

The Senate bill—S. 2012, the Energy Policy and Modernization Act—also includes provisions to speed the permitting of natural gas facilities and electric transmission infrastructure, as well as counter threats to the nation’s electrical grid. The bill promotes energy efficiency in public and private buildings through the development of model building codes, and supports the development of cost-effective renewable energy storage technologies. In addition, the measure would create a coordinating committee between the Departments of Energy and Interior to better manage the nation’s energy and water policies.

Both bills include strong policies to promote energy markets, helping to make the nation’s energy abundant, efficient, affordable, clean, diverse, reliable and secure.

KEY POINTS ■ The U.S. continues to benefit from a national energy policy incorporating an “all of the above” strategy

that expands the diverse domestic production and delivery of energy resources, i.e., fossil fuels, nuclear, renewables, energy efficiency and storage.

■ House and Senate energy bills include strong policies to protect and modernize energy infrastructure, improve regulatory processes, and promote efficiency.

■ Congress has a unique opportunity in 2016 to come together on a consensus energy package that will enhance America’s energy security and promote jobs and economic growth.

North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 H.R. 8

AYES (249) Abraham Calvert Duffy Green, Gene Jordan McCarthy Perry Royce Upton Aderholt Carter (GA) Duncan (SC) Griffith Joyce McCaul Peterson Russell Valadao Allen Carter (TX) Duncan (TN) Grothman Katko McClintock Pittenger Salmon Wagner Amodei Chabot Ellmers (NC) Guinta Kelly (MS) McHenry Pitts Sanford Walberg Ashford Chaffetz Emmer (MN) Guthrie Kelly (PA) McKinley Poe (TX) Scalise Walden Babin Clawson (FL) Farenthold Hanna King (IA) McMorris Rodgers Poliquin Schrader Walker Barletta Coffman Fincher Hardy King (NY) McSally Pompeo Schweikert Walorski Barr Cole Fitzpatrick Harper Kinzinger (IL) Meadows Posey Scott, Austin Walters, Mimi Barton Collins (GA) Fleischmann Harris Kirkpatrick Meehan Price, Tom Sensenbrenner Weber (TX) Benishek Collins (NY) Fleming Hartzler Kline Messer Ratcliffe Sessions Webster (FL) Bilirakis Comstock Flores Heck (NV) Knight Mica Reed Shimkus Wenstrup Bishop (MI) Conaway Forbes Hensarling Kuster Miller (FL) Reichert Shuster Westerman Bishop (UT) Cook Fortenberry Herrera Beutler Labrador Miller (MI) Renacci Simpson Westmoreland Black Costa Foxx Hice, Jody B. LaHood Moolenaar Ribble Sinema Whitfield Blackburn Costello (PA) Franks (AZ) Hill LaMalfa Mooney (WV) Rice (SC) Smith (MO) Wilson (SC) Blum Cramer Frelinghuysen Holding Lamborn Mullin Rigell Smith (NE) Wittman Bost Crawford Garrett Hudson Lance Mulvaney Roby Smith (NJ) Womack Boustany Crenshaw Gibbs Huelskamp Latta Murphy (PA) Roe (TN) Smith (TX) Woodall Brady (TX) Culberson Gibson Huizenga (MI) LoBiondo Neugebauer Rogers (AL) Stefanik Yoder Brat Curbelo (FL) Gohmert Hultgren Long Newhouse Rogers (KY) Stewart Yoho Bridenstine Davis, Rodney Goodlatte Hunter Loudermilk Noem Rohrabacher Stivers Young (AK) Brooks (AL) Denham Gosar Hurd (TX) Love Nugent Rokita Stutzman Young (IA) Brooks (IN) Dent Gowdy Hurt (VA) Lucas Nunes Rooney (FL) Thompson (PA) Young (IN) Buchanan DeSantis Graham Issa Luetkemeyer Olson Ros-Lehtinen Thornberry Zeldin Buck DesJarlais Granger Jenkins (KS) Lummis Palazzo Roskam Tiberi Zinke Bucshon Diaz-Balart Graves (GA) Jenkins (WV) MacArthur Palmer Ross Tipton Burgess Dold Graves (LA) Johnson (OH) Marchant Paulsen Rothfus Trott Byrne Donovan Graves (MO) Jolly Marino Pearce Rouzer Turner

NOES (174) Adams Carson (IN) DeFazio Fudge Johnson (GA) Lowenthal Nolan Sánchez, Linda T. Tsongas Amash Cartwright DeGette Gabbard Johnson, E. B. Lowey Norcross Sarbanes Van Hollen Bass Castor (FL) Delaney Gallego Jones Lujan Grisham (NM) O'Rourke Schakowsky Vargas Beatty Castro (TX) DeLauro Garamendi Kaptur Luján, B.R. (NM) Pallone Schiff Veasey Becerra Chu, Judy DelBene Grayson Keating Lynch Pascrell Scott (VA) Vela Bera Cicilline DeSaulnier Green, Al Kelly (IL) Maloney, Carolyn Pelosi Scott, David Velázquez Beyer Clark (MA) Deutch Grijalva Kennedy Maloney, Sean Perlmutter Serrano Visclosky Bishop (GA) Clarke (NY) Dingell Gutiérrez Kildee Massie Peters Sewell (AL) Walz Blumenauer Clay Doggett Hahn Kilmer Matsui Pingree Sherman Wasserman Schultz Bonamici Cleaver Doyle, Michael Hastings Kind McCollum Pocan Sires Waters, Maxine Boyle, Brendan Clyburn Duckworth Heck (WA) Langevin McDermott Polis Slaughter Watson Coleman Brady (PA) Cohen Edwards Higgins Larsen (WA) McGovern Price (NC) Smith (WA) Welch Brown (FL) Connolly Ellison Himes Larson (CT) McNerney Quigley Speier Wilson (FL) Brownley (CA) Conyers Engel Hinojosa Lee Meng Rangel Swalwell (CA) Yarmuth Bustos Cooper Eshoo Honda Levin Moore Rice (NY) Takano Butterfield Courtney Esty Hoyer Lewis Moulton Richmond Thompson (CA) Capps Crowley Farr Huffman Lieu, Ted Murphy (FL) Roybal-Allard Thompson (MS) Capuano Cummings Fattah Israel Lipinski Nadler Ruiz Titus Cárdenas Davis (CA) Foster Jackson Lee Loebsack Napolitano Rush Tonko Carney Davis, Danny Frankel (FL) Jeffries Lofgren Neal Ryan (OH) Torres

Not Voting (10) Aguilar Johnson, Sam Meeks Ruppersberger Takai Cuellar Lawrence Payne Sanchez, Loretta Williams

Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources

Republicans Democrats

Lisa Murkowski (AK) Maria Cantwell (WA) Chairwoman Ranking Member John Barrasso (WY) Ron Wyden (OR) Jim Risch (ID) Bernie Sanders (VT) (I) Mike Lee (UT) Debbie Stabenow (MI) Jeff Flake (AZ) Al Franken (MN) Steve Daines (MT) Joe Manchin (WV) Bill Cassidy (LA) Martin Heinrich (NM) Cory Gardner (CO) Mazie Hirono (HI) Rob Portman (OH) Angus King (ME) (I) John Hoeven (ND) Elizabeth Warren (MA) Lamar Alexander (TN) Shelley Moore Capito (WV)

FA

CT

S

HE

ET

Oppose Regulatory Overreach

ISSUEThe U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed new regulations under the Fair Labor Standards

Act (FLSA) that will impose significant costs on engineering firms and the public and private sector clients they serve. The new rule may also include changes that were not proposed previously or open to public comment. ACEC urges lawmakers to cosponsor and support S. 2707 and H.R. 4773 to require better economic analysis of the proposed rule before it goes into effect.

BACKGROUNDIn 1938, the FLSA was enacted to establish certain workplace standards, including rules governing

overtime work and the minimum wage. Employees who earn less than a specified salary threshold must be paid time and a half for any hours over 40 worked in a given week. Employees who earn more than the salary threshold may not qualify for overtime if their duties meet the criteria for the executive, administra-tive, or professional (EAP) exemptions.

The salary threshold was last updated in 2004. The EAP exemptions were also improved to provide greater clarity and ensure that employees are properly classified as exempt or non-exempt.

In June 2015, DOL issued a proposed rule to increase the salary threshold from the current level of $455 per week/$23,660 annually to approximately $970 per week/$50,440 annually in 2016, an increase of 113% and far above the 26% cumulative inflation since 2004. DOL also proposes to implement automatic annual updates to the salary threshold, and indicated that the agency may include changes to the EAP exemptions in the final rule, without public comment.

ACEC and other stakeholders, including the National Association of Counties and the National League of Cities, have raised serious concerns over the cost of DOL’s proposed rule and other issues. In response to these concerns, Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) have introduced S. 2707, and companion House legislation (H.R. 4773) has been introduced by Congressmen Tim Walberg (R-MI) and John Kline (R-MN), that would require DOL to complete additional economic analysis prior to finalizing the rule. The legislation would require DOL to seek public comment on future updates to the salary threshold, and prevent the agency from implementing changes to the EAP exemptions without first publishing them in a proposed rule.

KEY POINTS ■ DOL is proposing to more than double the FLSA salary threshold—far beyond the rate of inflation and

nearly $10,000 more than the 2016 threshold for California and almost $15,000 more than New York, two of the highest-cost states in the nation.

■ Expanding overtime pay this significantly would have a serious impact on the budgets of state and local governments – many of which operate under a balanced budget mandate – and their ability to finance needed infrastructure projects and provide key services.

■ DOL should not implement changes to the EAP exemptions that have not been open to public review and comment.

House Committee on Education & the Workforce

Republicans Democrats

John Kline (MN) Robert Scott (VA) Chairman Ranking Member

Joe Wilson (SC) Ruben Hinojosa (TX) Virginia Foxx (NC) Susan Davis (CA) Duncan Hunter (CA) Raul Grijalva (AZ) Phil Roe (TN) Joe Courtney (CT) Glenn Thompson (PA) Marcia Fudge (OH) Tim Walberg (MI) Jared Polis (CO) Matt Salmon (AZ) Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (NM) Brett Guthrie (KY) Frederica Wilson (FL) Todd Rokita (IN) Suzanne Bonamici (OR) Lou Barletta (PA) Mark Pocan (WI) Joe Heck (NV) Mark Takano (CA) Luke Messer (IN) Hakeem Jeffries (NY) Bradley Byrne (AL) Katherine Clark (MA) Dave Brat (VA) Alma Adams (NC) Buddy Carter (GA) Mark DeSaulnier (CA) Mike Bishop (MI) Glenn Grothman (WI) Steve Russell (OK) Carlos Curbelo (FL) Elise Stefanik (NY) Rick Allen (GA)

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Republicans Democrats

Lamar Alexander (TN) Patty Murray (WA) Chairman Ranking Member

Mike Enzi (WY) Barbara Mikulski (MD) Richard Burr (NC) Bernie Sanders (VT) (I) Johnny Isakson (GA) Bob Casey (PA) Rand Paul (KY) Al Franken (MN) Susan Collins (ME) Michael Bennet (CO) Lisa Murkowski (AK) Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) Mark Kirk (IL) Tammy Baldwin (WI) Tim Scott (SC) Christopher Murphy (CT) Orrin Hatch (UT) Elizabeth Warren (MA) Pat Roberts (KS) Bill Cassidy (LA)