| August 19, 2010 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||
The Senate will vote Sept. 14 on giving small businesses relief from a new paperwork burden imposed by health care reform. That law requires businesses, beginning in 2012, to file 1099 reports with the Internal Revenue Service anytime it spends more than $600 a year with another business on goods and services. The provision was included as a way to help pay for health care reform – the theory is that third-party reporting of sales will make businesses less likely to hide income from the IRS. Health care reform's expansion of the 1099 requirement has prompted protest from small businesses, who fear they will be swamped by paperwork, reported The Business Courier. Full Story Legislation that would sharply restrict the use of biometric technology in Alaska would have unintended negative consequences and "ultimately result in the use of less secure identity solutions," the Security Industry Association (SIA) warned in a letter to the bill sponsor. The bill (SB 190) from Alaska State Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-District J) mandates that "A person may not retain or analyze, or disclose or distribute to another person, biometric information on an individual without first obtaining the informed and written consent of the individual." (Law enforcement and other parties authorized by state or federal law would be excluded.) Biometric data is defined to include fingerprints, handprints, voices, facial images, iris images and retinal images. Violators would be liable for actual damages and civil penalties of as much as $100,000. Full Story The Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding EPA's proposed rule to expand its current Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule. EPA is considering whether to establish additional requirements to ensure that renovation work areas are adequately cleaned after renovation work is finished and before the areas are re-occupied. These additional requirements could include expensive multiple dust wipe tests through EPA-approved labs after renovations are completed and depending on the type of renovation work, ensuring that the renovation work areas meet stringent clearance standards before re-occupancy. Full Story The Window & Door Dealers Alliance has submitted a multi-page letter to the U.S. Government's General Accounting Office, citing a possible administrative error by the Environmental Protection Agency in its efforts to impose lead clearance and testing rules on window and door dealers. In its appeal to GAO, WDDA contends that "the rule is being proposed without the proper studies and that the EPA has not conducted a study specifically regarding the proposed rule," explained David Walker, WDDA vice president. Full Story Frustrated with the failure of the federal government to pass meaningful immigration reform, states have moved in to fill the void. While Arizona has recently received much of the press regarding this issue, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have also moved forward to introduce E-Verify legislation designed to combat the employment of unauthorized workers. At the same time, President Obama's administration has stepped up worksite enforcement initiatives and has called on Congress to enact comprehensive immigration legislation that would contain a federal E-Verify requirement, reported The Legal Intelligencer. Full Story In Guam a major change in the way buildings are constructed is coming in the fall, with the adoption of the International Building Code. The law was supposed to go into effect in July, but lawmakers voted to hold off on the implementation until the public had a chance to give their input. The International Building and Fire Codes are now set to be enforced on October 5, making Guam the first U.S. territory to adopt the construction code, and bringing the jurisdiction up to date with all 50 states, reported Kuam News. Full Story The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the Sustainable Design and Green Building Toolkit for Local Governments, which offers a guided assessment of codes and ordinances as they relate to green building practices. The toolkit is designed to help officials identify, and remove, barriers and obstacles to sustainable design. It leads officials through everything from site development and planning to green materials, energy efficiency, and water conservation., reported Green Source. Full Story To download the toolkit, click here. Industry Access ASSA ABLOY has acquired Security Metal Products, a manufacturer of standard and specialty high security custom hollow metal commercial doors and frames. Security Metal Products, established in 1955, is headquartered in Southern California with manufacturing facilities and regional offices in North America, reported MarketWatch. Full Story Click here for more Industry Access news including recent new hires, merger & acquisition activity and who's offering new products. * DHI Members may submit news releases to be considered for inclusion in DHI's IndustryWatch. Send to: jmadden@dhi.org Business Update Five years after Hurricane Katrina, building codes along the Gulf Coast today are, for the most part, inadequate, according to a report from the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Full Story The Associated General Contractors of America unveiled a new green construction education program designed to make it easier to build and renovate green, LEED-certified buildings. The new program, called Building to LEED for New Construction, Second Edition is designed to help contractors, designers and developers successfully navigate the green building certification process and keep their green accreditations current. Full Story While 45% of distributors say they expect their companies to recover this year, 31% say recovery will not start until 2011, according to 2010 McGladrey Distribution Industry Report. Another six percent do not expect a rebound until 2012 or beyond. Full Story EcoHome suggests 12 questions builders should ask about any green building product before making a selection. Full Story Across the banking system, nearly 17% of construction loans were non-current - at least 90 days past due or otherwise in trouble - at the end of March, a record level and a stark contrast to less than 5.5% for all loans, according to the latest numbers available from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. For construction loans on one- to four-family residences, the percentage of bad loans is even worse: nearly 23%, reported USA Today. Full Story The July Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was down 0.7% from 2009 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 0.6% compared to a year earlier. Compared to June, the unadjusted July PPI was unchanged for Wood Doors, but up 3.4% for Other Doors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PPI for Metal Doors, Sash & Trim was up 0.2% from June, and was up 0.7% from 2009. The PPI for Builders Hardware was up 3.3% from 2009 and unchanged from a month earlier. Click here to view the full July Producer Price Index report. (PDF file - Wood Door information is on page 16, Builders Hardware, page 22 and Metal Door data, page 23) Construction & Design Reed Construction Data lists 20 of the largest upcoming medical and education construction projects. Full Story Total construction spending rose 0.1% in June after the May estimate was revised sharply lower to a 1.0% decline, reported Reed Construction Data. The June report is being interpreted as good news since an approximate 0.5% drop was expected. Full Story The State Allocation Board announced that it has set aside $408 million for shovel-ready school construction projects across California. Green-lighted under accelerated funding rules approved by the SAB in May, these state matching funds will help pay for 78 school construction projects within 42 school districts and are expected to create more than 7,000 new jobs, according to The Reporter. Full Story After decades of neglected and deferred maintenance, more than three-quarters of all Defense Department schools are considered to be in poor or failing condition, according to records released by the Department of Defense Education Activity. The majority of the department's 191 schools worldwide have aged beyond repair and many others require significant upgrades, prompting the Pentagon to issue an urgent call to Congress for $3.7 billion for repairs and replacements over the next five years, reported Stars & Stripes. Full Story The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved an $800 million project that includes the construction of the 424-bed University Hospital at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. The project now goes to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for final approval, reported Health Leaders Media. Full Story Security & Safety A three-month investigation into LAX security turns up photographic evidence of apparent safety hazards at numerous emergency exit corridors and doors at several airport terminal buildings. The photos were taken by a source who is an employee at LAX with extensive fire fighting experience. The source says the apparent safety issues were brought to the attention of superiors who failed to fix the problems, reported KNX1070.com. Full Story Buildings.com discusses how faulty or damaged door hardware can turn into a personal injury liability case against building owners. Full Story Small Business News will resume when Congress returns from it's August recess. DHI News Watch an important video message from DHI President, Jim Tartre, CDC "DHI’s 35th Annual Conference and Exposition in Chicago this September has sustainability as a theme, regarding both “green” construction as well as how it applies to our industry’s businesses. As non-residential construction slowly follows the general economy out from one of the worst recessions in our nation’s history, sustainability of our companies — especially our distributors — is essential to help provide the correct products for life safety and security in support of this new construction activity. Come to Chicago and we will provide you with the critical information you need to ensure that your business is sustainable, and also to understand the crucial elements of green construction as it applies to our industry. Building on the well-received and considerable changes to our event schedule last year in Orlando, we have further tailored this year’s program and schedule to best maximize your time and investment at this essential industry event." Click here to watch the video. Forum for YOUR Future:
According to research by Frank Lynn & Associates, our industry can expect that the Electronic Security Market will change more in the next 5 years than it has in the past ten! Over the past ten years, various pieces of the solution were introduced–smart cards, wireless technology, digital streaming video, integrated security management software – paving the way for the emerging electronic security market. This year’s Forum for the Future is a MUST ATTEND event. Admission to the Forum is FREE for all registered Conference attendees and exhibitors. For more information click here. At the August 2010 meeting in Chantilly, Virginia, DHI’s Board of Governors (BOG) approved the creation of two new training programs. Click here to learn more. BOG Election Time Take this opportunity to select additional members for the 2010-2011 DHI Board of Governors. DHI provides an online election process that will allow you to complete your ballot and submit it electronically. Click here to log in to the slate, candidate bios, and to cast your vote. EXCLUSIVE Member Resources Available Online--All the Time! Summer 2010 Plan Room Newsletter UPDATED DHI Interactive Membership Directory! DHI CLASSIFIEDS
|
||||||||||
