Associated General Contractors of Tennessee

Regulatory Affairs

In addition to tracking legislative matters, the association office also follows the development of rules and regulations that impact the regulatory landscape of the construction industry. Rules and regulations can be complicated, at times confusing and ever changing. The AGC staff is a resource in helping construction companies understand the rules and regulations that govern our business.

If a rule or regulation proves to be onerous, AGC staff works to find ways to improve or enhance rules through its lobbying and grassroots efforts. Listed below are links to resources that will help your company navigate the regulatory landscape.

Wage Rates Published by Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development has today published the Prevailing Wage Rates for all state funded Highway projects for 2009 and all Building projects for 2009 & 2010.

By clicking on this link, you will be taken to the Prevailing Wage Act site, and can access the wage rates for all Highway and Building classifications, classification definitions, and the 12 regions surveyed for the Building rates. If you have any questions regarding the rates or how they were calculated, contact Bill Young at 615-244-4555 or 800-341-8242.

Public Act 587

As many of you may be aware, the requirement for contractors to perform fingerprint based background checks when working at schools went into effect on Sept. 1st, 2007. In speaking with a representative from the TBI on this matter, AGC has been able to obtain information that may be helpful to each of you in trying to comply with the provisions of this Act.

These requirements do not apply to any contract or PO prior to Sept. 1, 2007.
The Act applies to public or private schools. It does not apply to colleges or commercial daycares. The provisions which reference "children in a child care program", I was told, are referring to before or after school programs - not a daycare.
The basic steps to get started with this process are as follows:
1. Step 1: The contractor which has the direct contract with the school must send in a "Letter of Purpose" on their company letterhead stating the type of business they represent, what services they are contracted to do and that they are trying to comply with Public Act 587. This letter can be faxed to 615-744-4653. Note: The GC is responsible for managing this program - subcontractors to the GC are not to submit a "Letter of Purpose".
2. Step 2: Upon receipt of the "Letter of Purpose" the TBI will send the contractor a "Vendor/Contractor User Agreement." It is an 8 page document, of which the first page must be completed and sent back.
3. Step 3: The TBI will issue the contractor an ORI# (Originated ID #). The TBI will then contact the point of contact (POC) noted on the user agreement for further instructions.
4. Last Step: A letter will be mailed from TBI to the POC indicating whether or not the employee will be allowed to work on school grounds.
Other General Information
1. The cost is $48 with various payment options available
2. There is an estimated 1 week turnaround
3. The employee will go to a Cogent Services location for fingerprinting - click here for a Tennessee location
4. Background checks only cover sexual offenses.
5. As long as there is no break in employment the background check does not expire.

Public Chapter No. 587 PUBLIC ACTS, 2007
1 PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 587 SENATE BILL NO. 2048

AGC of Tennessee has ordered hard hat stickers with the TAPS (Tennessee Applicant Processing Services) initials on them for the purpose of readily identifying those that have been processed and approved to work on the site. We know some contractors have already ordered hard hat stickers as their system of identification and we wanted to offer a lower cost sticker resulting from bulk pricing. In addition, it will help standardize to some extent the identification of processed site employees. Order Stickers Now.

Regulatory Links