Looking Forward to 2015 in the States

As the year draws to a close, NASBP is already preparing for the 2015 state legislative sessions. To facilitate the flow of information, NASBP State Government Affairs Representatives act as the “eyes and ears” of the Association and provide the NASBP staff here in Washington D.C. with state and local government relations matters impacting surety.

Below is a small sampling of issues NASBP anticipates in 2015.

Further Attempts to Enact P3 legislation

NASBP anticipates increased activity on codifying public-private partnerships (P3s) in several states. This year, two widely supported P3 bills failed in Kentucky and Georgia. The Kentucky bill was vetoed so it is uncertain if the legislature will take up the issue again. The D.C. Council is considering a P3 bill that NASBP is closely monitoring. Additionally, the New Mexico legislature is expected to introduce a P3 bill, as well. The previous bill in 2013 received some traction, but failed to make it out of its chamber of origin. The New Mexico legislature is biennial so there was no legislative activity this year.

Effort to Establish a State Statute of Limitations

This year, NASBP worked with a coalition to clarify how and when the State of Connecticut may bring claims against contractors involved in public works projects. The need for this clarification arises from a 2012 Connecticut Supreme Court decision, State of Connecticut vs. Lombardo Bros. Mason Contractors, Inc. that provided that no statute of limitations applies to the State of Connecticut, in effect providing the State with the ability to file claims ad infinitum. Legislation to rectify this decision was not successful in making it out of its chamber of origin last session. NASBP has already begun working with the coalition to pursue this issue again in the coming year.

NASBP is continuing to seek input from members on additional issues NASBP believes will occur next year.

NASBP Government Relations Town Hall Virtual Seminar Thursday, December 18

Mark your calendars for this year’s Government Relations Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Though this Virtual Seminar is complimentary to the NASBP membership, registration is still required. Register here.

This NASBP Virtual Seminar is an interactive presentation about significant government relations issues of 2014 and what is in store for 2015. Topics discussed will include: pending federal legislation to reform assets pledged by individual sureties on federal construction projects, state/local legislation to implement P3 legislation, and new resources available to NASBP members.

If you are interested in becoming a NASBP State Government Affairs Representative, contact Shannon Crawford, NASBP Manager of State Relations at 202.464.1170 or scrawford@nasbp.org.