As mentioned in the previous E-Update, the Nebraska Department of Revenue is in the process of creating a database of contractors who are licensed, granted a permit, or registered in the state and in good standing with the Department. The data will be accessible on the website of the Department. Any contractor who determines that a contractor in the database is relieved from liability for withholding under this bill, for any future payments on a contract in existence at the time the determination is made or during the same calendar year as the determination is made. 

The industry representatives that worked with the NDR during the Legislative Session will be meeting with Cathy Lang and Doug Ewald on July 1 to get an update and provide input on the role out of this new system. Jean will be attending the meeting.

AIA-Nebraska, American Council of Engineering Companies - Nebraska and the AGC Nebraska Building Chapter have formed a joint effort to initially provide information to board members of the political sub-divisions affected by LB 889. The group originally planned to prepare and distribute an educational brochure about LB889. However, in a very short time, things have taken off. 

The group members selected the title of “Nebraska Design & Construction Industry Council” for the committee. As the project got underway it was decided that not only would there be an educational brochure as the point of first contact with subdivision clients, but also a joint website that subdivision board members and the general public could go to for more detailed information and resources. The website will be used to archive information about LB 889, project delivery methods, industry definitions, checklists to assist in the selection process, lists of pro and cons of each delivery type, etc. The website will also include an informational PowerPoint presentation and a process for arranging for a speaker or panel of speakers to address industry topics. 

The brochure, “LB 889 - What Political Subdivisions Need to Know About New Construction Options,” will be available on or before July 28th. The website and PowerPoint presentation are in the planning stage as we speak. All of the “products” coming out from the Council will be available for all members to use in your business development efforts and with existing clients. As soon as the brochure is printed it will be available at no charge to members. You will be able to request a preview copy and then decide if you want to request additional brochures. 

The Nebraska Design & Construction Industry Council will become one of our chapter’s standing committees, taking the place of the AGC-AIA Joint Committee. The AGC-AIA Joint Committee has been inactive for the past 4-5 years without a real project to justify participation on the committee. However, at the one meeting we had in early 2006, the committee attendees decided that ACEC Nebraska should be a part of the group. So here we are! 

Currently, Building Chapter members who are participating in the Design & Industry Council are Mike Kalb, BD Construction, Inc, Don Wrieth and Jason Beiter, Kiewit Building Group.  We are pretty outnumbered by architects and engineers, so there is room on this committee for about two more AGC members. If you are interested in participating on the Design & Industry Council contact Jean at jdpetsch@alltel.net as soon as possible . 

The Steering Committee for the Emerging Construction Professional Forum (ECPF) will meet for a supper meeting on Wednesday, July 9 at El Bees Mexican Restaurant in Omaha. The purpose of this meeting is to plan the direction of the forum for September thru March. If you are a Forum participant and wish to be on this planning committee contact Jean at jdpetsch@alltel.net.

Would you like to have pictures of your company projects displayed on the Chapter's website? View the AGC Nebraska Building Chapter home page and see which companies have already posted photographs. If you would like to submit project pictures to add to the home page, send jpegs of your projects to Holly at agcnebuilders@alltel.net.

Just a Reminder