Legislation on OFCCP Regulations Introduced

On Feb. 15, Representative Rodney Alexander (R-La.) introduced legislation on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) proposed rule making major changes to the rules governing federal contractor affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities ("Section 503"). More information on the proposed rule can be found on the AGC website. The legislation introduced, H.R. 759, the Equal Standards in Hiring Americans Act, would require DOL to abide by the same hiring regulations it is attempting to impose on federal contractors. The OFCCP’s proposed rule impacts federal contractors and subcontractors, and would effectively require seven percent of their workforces be comprised of people with disabilities. This rule would also apply to subcontractors, and failure to meet the requirement could result in the forfeiture of government contracts.   The legislation stops short of blocking the proposed rule, but forces DOL to first certify to Congress that each office and division within DOL is in compliance with the rule’s requirements prior to imposing it on federal contractors. The legislation does not address the OFCCP’s proposed changes to the rules governing federal contractor affirmative action programs for covered veterans. More information on this proposed rule can be found on the AGC website, as well. AGC has been working with Congress and federal agencies to find ways to block or mitigate the cost and administrative burdens these rules would impose on federal construction contractors. For more information, please contact Jim Young at (202) 547-0133 or youngj@agc.org.