New Jersey State Association of Pipe Trades Legislative Activities 2006     The New Jersey State Association of Pipe Trades, through the vision of its Executive Board and strong support of its membership, continues to pursue an active legislative agenda to sustain the growth of the pipe trades in New Jersey.    It has been successful for two primary reasons:   1)   Working hard on behalf of the entire membership to have key legislation passed and signed into law that fosters smart, sustainable economic growth and development in New Jersey.   2)   Growing significantly the presence of the Pipe Trades as a recognized stakeholder in public policy issues that protect and promote our business interests.     The Pipe Trades has actively raised its profile and successfully gained the respect of New Jersey’s Governor and lawmakers on both side of the political aisle.  At the same time, the Pipe Trades has worked hard to establish strategic alliances with key business advocacy groups that represent the industries in which significant man-hours are generated.  Solidifying relationships with elected officials and key trade organizations enable the Pipe Trades to more effectively represent its membership by positioning itself as an even more effective lobbying force in the State House and among members of our Congressional delegation.   Under the careful direction of the Legislative Chair and Executive Board, the Pipe Trades membership benefits from a strong presence in Trenton and throughout the state.  The results may be measured by the successful introduction and movement of bills critical to protecting our interests.  Many were passed into law.    The key bills pushed to become laws over the past two years include:   A-1819 Extends the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act to cover workers on all construction or rehabilitation projects administered by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority, the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, or any county improvement authority.  Failure to follow the new regulations would result in termination of the project's contractor, and would allow the contracting authority to finish the project at the contractor's or subcontractor's expense.       The bills were sponsored by Senator Stephen Sweeney (S-598) and Assemblyman Joseph Egan (A-1819).     S-596 Applies the Prevailing Wage Act to custom fabrication of mechanical insulation, ng, cooling, ventilation or exhaust duct systems used in public work. The law requires that such work be subjected to the Prevailing Wage Act, whether or not the fabrication is done on the site of the public work.    For the purposes of the Act, the law also defines that contractors or subcontractors engaged in custom fabrication are not regarded as material suppliers, and therefore are not given the exemption from the provisions of that act the material suppliers are given. The bills were sponsored by Senators Sweeney and Assemblymen Egan and Joseph Malone.    S-1368 Known as the Fast Track law, it provides a streamlined permitting process to speed development and redevelopment projects in smart growth areas, consistent with the State Plan. The Act cuts bureaucratic red tape by providing expedited permit processing in smart growth areas.       A-3542/S-2163 This bill established the School Construction Review Commission to assist the Legislature in identifying refinancing needs and offering oversight initiatives.  As part of its being signed into law, Governor Codey committed to select a Pipe Trades Executive Officer to fill the requirement to name a building and construction trades representative.       A-3217  This bill supplements the Atlantic City  Expansion Fund by allowing casinos to use additional casino  Reinvestment Development Authority Funds and Urban Revitalization Funds on non-gaming projects. The new law will encourage casinos to build more retail and entertainment space.      S-2313 Appropriates $ 1 million in federal funding for the development of the regions first Ethanol Plant.   S-194 A bill sponsored by Sen. Sweeney to allow the card-check method of union organization.   S-2065 As of October 1, 2005 this bill increases the minimum hourly wage to $6.15 per hour and as of October 1, 2006 the hourly rate will increase to $7.15. This legislation also creates a New Jersey Minimum Wage Advisory Commission.   A-3803 This requires educational training requirements for those who serve on planning and zoning boards. This will ensure that those making local development and redevelopment decisions are properly trained and understand the impact of their actions.   S-494 A bill cosponsored by Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew that requires all services under state contracts or subcontracts to be performed within the US.   AR-245 This legislation will urge all members of Congress to oppose the Bush administration’s plan to privatize Social Security.   Current Legislative Efforts The Pipe Trades continues to work on other key policy initiatives.  Those bills being worked on in the current session include:   S-1726 “Prompt Pay Policy” Sponsors:  Senators Stephen Sweeney and Fred Madden Status:  Released from the Senate Labor Committee, pending full Senate consideration. Description: Requires owners of private and public projects to pay contractors, subcontractors and subsubcontractors in a timely manner for work performed by establishing firm project start dates and set strict payment timelines and remedies.  The impact of late payments has deterred good, qualified, credible actors from bidding on public work projects, driving them into the private sector, forsaking the public marketplace and jeopardizing job opportunities for our Association members.      S-2176   “The State Fire Sprinkler Fitter Licensing Act.” Sponsors:  Senators Stephen Sweeney, Joseph Coniglio Description:  Would establish the "State Fire Sprinkler Fitter Licensing Act," to promote public safety by requiring persons who install, repair and maintain fire suppression systems to meet established training and qualification standards. A State Board of Examiners would also be created for oversight purposes.   S653   Permits Project Labor Agreements for all construction work in public works projects  covered by prevailing wage law, excluding road and rail projects, without regard to the type of structure or facility. Sponsors:  Senators S. Sweeney and Fred Madden   A-3897 Establishes the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning  Contractors. Sponsor: Assemblymen Vincent Prieto, Neil Cohen, Brian Stack  Status:  Mike Maloney has been the lead driver on this measure organizing all interested parties to gain support for the bill.  We expect to see action on this bill over the next month.       Developing smart public policy favorable to the interests is made possible through the Pipe Trades dedicated support of active lobbying and industry outreach activities.  The tireless legislative efforts of the NJ Pipe Trades Executive Board and Legislative Chair, supported by each Local Union and the entire membership statewide, will continue as it pursues additional measures important to our trade.    The Pipe Trades Association will work hard to ensure, on behalf of you, our members, that our issues are heard and addressed through New Jersey’s legislative and regulatory process.   For more information, contact James Kehoe, Local Union 322, Legislative Chair.